Living in Pulaski County means you already know the sky has a mind of its own. One minute you're looking at the sparkling water of Lake Cumberland, and the next, a gray sheet of clouds is rolling in from the west. If you’ve been checking the 10 day weather forecast for Somerset Kentucky lately, you’ve probably noticed something jarring.
We are currently in the middle of a massive temperature swing. Honestly, it’s enough to give anyone whiplash. Today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, started out relatively mild with a high near 48°F. But as the sun goes down, that strong cold front we’ve been hearing about is finally crossing the state line.
By tonight, we aren't just looking at a chill; we’re looking at a plummet. Temperatures are expected to drop to 21°F. If you haven't brought your sensitive plants inside yet, you might want to stop reading this and go do that now. Seriously.
The Transition from Rain to Snow
Most folks see "rain" on the weather app and assume it’s just a wet commute. But the National Weather Service and local stations like Lake Cumberland Regional Airport (KSME) are tracking a transition.
As the mercury drops this evening, that 90% chance of precipitation is shifting from liquid to flakes. Between 5 PM and 8 PM tonight, we’re likely to see rain change into snow showers. It isn't going to be a blizzard, but with winds gusting up to 19 mph, it’s going to feel significantly colder than the actual air temperature.
What to Expect Over the Next 48 Hours
Tomorrow, Thursday, January 15, is going to be the real reality check. We’re looking at a high of only 30°F. Basically, it’s one of those days where the sun might peek out, but the air still bites.
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- Thursday: Partly sunny with a high of 30°F. Lows around 20°F.
- Friday: This is where it gets messy again. A mix of rain and snow is likely as a small system moves through. Highs will jump back up to 46°F, which means anything that froze on Thursday will turn into slush by Friday afternoon.
Why Somerset's Geography Messes With the 10 Day Forecast
Somerset is tucked into a unique spot. We’re the gateway to the Cumberlands. This means we get "wedge" weather. Cold air often gets trapped in the valleys near the lake while the ridges stay a few degrees warmer.
When you look at a 10 day weather forecast for Somerset Kentucky, you have to account for that 1,500-foot elevation mark. If you live up toward Science Hill or Eubank, you’re almost always going to see more snow accumulation than someone living right on the water at Lee’s Ford Resort. For the upcoming weekend, forecasters are calling for light accumulations—maybe a few tenths of an inch to an inch—but those higher elevations could see a bit more if a squall stalls out.
Looking Toward Next Week
After we survive the weekend (which stays pretty cold with highs in the 30s), there is actually a light at the end of the tunnel.
By Tuesday, January 20, we are looking at full sunshine. The low will be a bone-chilling 14°F, which is actually one of the coldest nights predicted for the month, but the sky will be clear. By Wednesday and Thursday of next week, the pattern shifts again. We’ll see highs climbing back into the mid-to-upper 40s.
It’s that classic Kentucky roller coaster.
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The Reality of "Feels Like" Temperatures
Don't just look at the big numbers on your screen. In Somerset, humidity plays a huge role in how the air actually feels. Right now, the humidity is sitting at a heavy 87%. In the summer, that’s "swamp air." In January? That’s the kind of damp cold that gets into your bones no matter how many layers you wear.
The wind chill for tonight and tomorrow morning is expected to hover in the teens. If you’re heading out to the grocery store or taking the dog for a walk, the wind from the northwest is going to make that 30-degree high feel more like 18 or 19 degrees.
Historical Context: Is This Normal?
Actually, yeah. It’s pretty spot on for mid-January. Historically, Somerset’s average high this time of year is around 45°F, and our average low is 28°F. We are currently trending just a few degrees colder than the 30-year average, but nothing record-breaking.
The "Old Farmer’s Almanac" predicted a colder-than-normal January for the Ohio Valley this year, and so far, they aren't wrong. We’ve had more overcast days than clear ones—about 58% cloud cover on average—which is why that sunny forecast for next Tuesday feels like such a big deal.
Practical Steps for the Next 10 Days
Since the 10 day weather forecast for Somerset Kentucky is showing a mix of freezing temps and slushy rain, here is what you actually need to do to stay ahead of it.
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First, check your tire pressure. These 20-degree drops cause the air in your tires to contract, and you don't want to be dealing with a "low pressure" light while driving on Highway 27 in a snow squall.
Second, watch the bridges. If you’re crossing the bridge over Lake Cumberland, remember that it freezes long before the actual road surface does. With the rain-to-snow transition happening tonight, black ice is a very real possibility for the Thursday morning commute.
Finally, keep an eye on the pipes. We’re heading into a stretch where night-time lows are consistently in the teens and low 20s. If your kitchen sink is on an exterior wall, leave the cabinet doors open tonight to let the house heat circulate.
The forecast is looking predictably unpredictable. Keep your ice scraper in the car and maybe keep an extra blanket in the trunk just in case. Somerset weather never stays the same for long, but for the next 10 days, "cold and varied" is the name of the game.