And they’re off! That will be true about the Oaks and Derby horses later this week, and also our temperatures. We are tracking a warming trend through Thursday, which will take highs in the low 80s. But before we get there, we are in store for another frosty night. A Frost Advisory has been issued for central Kentucky, while eastern counties will be under a Freeze Warning through Monday morning. We are tracking lows ranging from the mid 20s to the mid 30s. Remember to protect your sensitive plants.
Now back to that warming trend! A surface high will glide over the Commonwealth tonight and eventually settle off the South Carolina coast through mid-week. A strong southerly flow will warm temperatures day-by-day. Monday will be seasonal with a high near 70°, then we are in store for some summer-like afternoons for the early days of May. Along with the warmth we are tracking a good deal of sunshine for most of Derby week.
Timing doesn’t look to be on our side, especially for Oaks. A strong cold front will track out of the central Plains late Thursday. Showers and thunderstorms will be likely on Friday. The latest timing does take the front and showers out of the Bluegrass Saturday morning. It will be drier but also cooler for the races on Derby Day. Keep checking the Weather page for the latest forecast for the Kentucky Oaks and Derby Day.
