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The 152nd Kentucky Derby is slated for May 2, and forecasters are predicting mostly sunny skies at Churchill Downs.
Precipitation chances for Thurby and the Kentucky Oaks also remain low at 10%. Here's what we know about rain chances at this year's race.
As of Thursday, April 30, meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Louisville predict mostly sunny skies to stay mostly clear, with a high near 60 and a low around 39. North winds of 3-8 mph are expected.
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The extended weather forecast for Louisville, Kentucky, is as follows:
️ Thursday, April 30, Thurby: Sunny skies become partly cloudy, with a high near 65 and a low around 47. North winds of around 7 mph become light and variable in the evening. There is a 10% chance of precipitation, with isolated showers possible after 4 a.m.
️Friday, May 1, Kentucky Oaks: There is a 10% chance of precipitation, with isolated showers before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny skies become mostly cloudy, with a high near 64 and a low around 40. Light west winds become northwest of 5-9 mph in the morning. North winds of around 6 mph are expected in the evening.
Saturday, May 2, Kentucky Derby: Mostly sunny skies stay mostly clear, with a high near 60 and a low around 39. North winds of 3-8 mph are expected.
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Story continues after photo gallery.
Out of 151 Kentucky Derbies, 73 have experienced rain at some point during the day — that's 48%, according to historical records maintained by the National Weather Service. The wettest day on record happened May 5, 2018, when 3.15 inches of precipitation fell in Louisville.
Sovereignty won the 151st Run for the Roses on a sloppy track after 0.37 inches of rain fell on Churchill Downs last year. It ended a five-year streak of Derby horses running on a fast track. The high of the cloudy day was 65 degrees.
Louisville Courier Journal reporter Alexis Cubit contributed.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Kentucky Derby 2026 weather forecast: NWS predicts mostly sunny skies
Continue reading...
Precipitation chances for Thurby and the Kentucky Oaks also remain low at 10%. Here's what we know about rain chances at this year's race.
Kentucky Derby 2026 weather forecast
As of Thursday, April 30, meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Louisville predict mostly sunny skies to stay mostly clear, with a high near 60 and a low around 39. North winds of 3-8 mph are expected.
Find Derby week tickets
Weather forecast for Louisville, Kentucky, April 30 - May 2, 2026
The extended weather forecast for Louisville, Kentucky, is as follows:
️ Thursday, April 30, Thurby: Sunny skies become partly cloudy, with a high near 65 and a low around 47. North winds of around 7 mph become light and variable in the evening. There is a 10% chance of precipitation, with isolated showers possible after 4 a.m.️
Friday, May 1, Kentucky Oaks: There is a 10% chance of precipitation, with isolated showers before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny skies become mostly cloudy, with a high near 64 and a low around 40. Light west winds become northwest of 5-9 mph in the morning. North winds of around 6 mph are expected in the evening. Saturday, May 2, Kentucky Derby: Mostly sunny skies stay mostly clear, with a high near 60 and a low around 39. North winds of 3-8 mph are expected.Find Kentucky Derby tickets
Story continues after photo gallery.
How often does it rain on Kentucky Derby Day?
Out of 151 Kentucky Derbies, 73 have experienced rain at some point during the day — that's 48%, according to historical records maintained by the National Weather Service. The wettest day on record happened May 5, 2018, when 3.15 inches of precipitation fell in Louisville.
What was 2025 Kentucky Derby weather like?
Sovereignty won the 151st Run for the Roses on a sloppy track after 0.37 inches of rain fell on Churchill Downs last year. It ended a five-year streak of Derby horses running on a fast track. The high of the cloudy day was 65 degrees.
Live weather radar for Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville Courier Journal reporter Alexis Cubit contributed.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Kentucky Derby 2026 weather forecast: NWS predicts mostly sunny skies
Continue reading...
