Honestly, if you’ve lived around Clark County for more than a week, you know the drill. You wake up to a forecast that looks like one thing, and by the time you're grabbing lunch at a spot on Main Street, the sky has done a complete 180. That is basically the vibe right now.
According to current data from Google Weather, Winchester is sitting at 43°F as of mid-morning this Tuesday, January 13, 2026. It's "partly sunny" officially, but with a south wind kicking at 15 mph, it feels more like 35°F. You definitely need the heavier coat if you're heading out to the park.
What is happening with the weather forecast Winchester KY this week?
The next few days are going to be a bit of a roller coaster. Today, Tuesday, we are looking at a high of 55°F with cloudy skies. It sounds pleasant enough for January, but don't let the afternoon warmth fool you. By tonight, things shift. The temperature will drop to 34°F, and there is a 35% chance of light rain.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 14, is when the "typical Kentucky winter" really shows its face. We're expecting a high of 45°F during the day with light rain, but the low is going to bottom out at a frigid 23°F.
Wait, it gets colder.
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The Mid-Week Freeze
Thursday, January 15, is going to be the day you really feel the bite. We are looking at a high of only 28°F and a low of 20°F. There is a 20% chance of light snow both day and night. It's not a blizzard by any means, but with a 14 mph wind coming out of the northwest, it’s going to be bone-chilling.
Here is the breakdown of what to expect for the rest of the week:
- Friday, Jan 16: Mostly cloudy with a high of 40°F. A light snow chance (25%) returns at night as it hits 25°F.
- Saturday, Jan 17: Snow showers are possible during the day. The high is 30°F, but the overnight low sinks to 16°F.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Still cold. High of 26°F and a low of 15°F.
- Monday, Jan 19: Partly sunny but still freezing at 27°F for the high and 16°F for the low.
The Reality of January in Central Kentucky
January is statistically the cloudiest month of the year for us. Historical data from sources like WeatherSpark and the National Weather Service show that we usually stay overcast about 59% of the time this month. We are currently right in the thick of that pattern.
The humidity is also a factor. Right now, it's at 47%, which is actually quite low for us. Usually, Winchester sees humidity levels closer to 90% in the winter, which is why the cold often feels "wet" and stays in your bones.
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The wind is the real story today and tomorrow. We’ve got south and southwest winds reaching up to 19 mph today. In a town with as many hills and open spaces as Winchester, that wind moves fast.
Why the forecast changes so much
We are sitting in a transition zone. Most of our weather comes from a mix of moisture from the Gulf and cold air masses moving down from Canada. When those two meet over the Bluegrass, you get the "rain-to-snow" mess that is predicted for Wednesday and Thursday.
Even the experts at the National Weather Service in Louisville often point out that a shift of just 20 or 30 miles in a storm track can mean the difference between Winchester getting an inch of slush or just a cold, miserable rain.
Staying Prepared in Winchester
If you're planning your week, keep the ice scraper in the car. With lows hitting 15°F and 16°F by the weekend, any moisture left on the roads from the mid-week rain is going to freeze solid.
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Actionable Steps for the Next 48 Hours:
- Layers are your friend: Today’s 55°F will feel great, but that 34°F tonight will catch you off guard if you only have a light jacket.
- Check your tires: Drastic temp drops from 55°F to 23°F usually trigger that annoying low-pressure light on your dashboard.
- Watch the Wednesday commute: The transition from light rain to a low of 23°F on Wednesday night is a prime recipe for black ice on rural Clark County roads.
- Protect the pipes: By Sunday, when we hit a low of 15°F, make sure your outdoor hoses are disconnected and any vulnerable pipes are handled.
The weather forecast Winchester KY shows we are heading into a sustained cold snap. It's nothing we haven't seen before, but it's definitely a reminder that winter is finally here in earnest.