Abnormally dry conditions could soon become an official drought status for western Kentucky, but there is some hope for rain over the weekend.
Meteorologist Justin Gibbs with the National Weather Service in Paducah said during a conference call Monday morning that while there are currently significant chances for at least some rain in the upcoming weekend, there is concern that the current dry pattern will find a way to persist.
Gibbs expects some or all of western Kentucky to be in the moderate drought area when the next drought status indicator map is released this week.
With those drought conditions comes an increased danger of wildfires as we get closer to summer.
Gibbs says the good news for the time being is the lack of any gusty winds in the forecast that could make any fires that develop to spread more quickly.