- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,129,422
- Reaction score
- 59
The 152nd Run for the Roses is just days away, and those planning to visit Churchill Downs have eyes on the forecast.
Rain is common during Kentucky Derby week in Louisville. While forecasters are calling for mostly sunny skies on Derby Day, those heading to the track before May 2 could see less favorable conditions.
Here’s what to know about rain chances for this year’s races.
As of Wednesday, April 29, meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Louisville predict that mostly sunny skies will become partly cloudy, with a high near 60 and a low around 39.
Find Derby week tickets
The extended weather forecast for Louisville, Kentucky, is as follows:
️
Wednesday, April 29, Winsday: There is a 90% chance of precipitation, with showers and thunderstorms possible before noon and a slight chance of showers between noon and 1 p.m. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are expected.
Skies become partly cloudy, with a high around 68 and a low near 45. Light north winds increase to 6-11 mph in the morning, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Northwest winds of 5-9 mph in the evening become light north after midnight.
Kentucky Derby week: Umbrellas aren't allowed at Churchill Downs. How to stay dry
️
Thursday, April 30, Thurby: Sunny skies become partly cloudy, with a high near 65 and a low around 46. Calm winds become northwest of 5-7 mph in the morning, before becoming calm in the evening.
️Friday, May 1, Kentucky Oaks: There is a 20% chance of showers before 2 p.m. Partly sunny skies become mostly cloudy, with a high around 62 and a low near 40. Calm winds become northwest of 5-7 mph in the afternoon.
️ Saturday, May 2, Kentucky Derby: Mostly sunny skies become partly cloudy, with a high near 60 and a low around 39.
Find Kentucky Derby tickets
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: See Louisville area forecast for Derby week
Continue reading...
Rain is common during Kentucky Derby week in Louisville. While forecasters are calling for mostly sunny skies on Derby Day, those heading to the track before May 2 could see less favorable conditions.
Here’s what to know about rain chances for this year’s races.
Kentucky Derby 2026 weather forecast
As of Wednesday, April 29, meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Louisville predict that mostly sunny skies will become partly cloudy, with a high near 60 and a low around 39.
Find Derby week tickets
Weather forecast for Louisville, Kentucky, April 29 - May 2, 2026
The extended weather forecast for Louisville, Kentucky, is as follows:
️
Wednesday, April 29, Winsday: There is a 90% chance of precipitation, with showers and thunderstorms possible before noon and a slight chance of showers between noon and 1 p.m. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are expected.Skies become partly cloudy, with a high around 68 and a low near 45. Light north winds increase to 6-11 mph in the morning, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Northwest winds of 5-9 mph in the evening become light north after midnight.
Kentucky Derby week: Umbrellas aren't allowed at Churchill Downs. How to stay dry
️
Thursday, April 30, Thurby: Sunny skies become partly cloudy, with a high near 65 and a low around 46. Calm winds become northwest of 5-7 mph in the morning, before becoming calm in the evening.️
Friday, May 1, Kentucky Oaks: There is a 20% chance of showers before 2 p.m. Partly sunny skies become mostly cloudy, with a high around 62 and a low near 40. Calm winds become northwest of 5-7 mph in the afternoon.️ Saturday, May 2, Kentucky Derby: Mostly sunny skies become partly cloudy, with a high near 60 and a low around 39.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: See Louisville area forecast for Derby week
Continue reading...
