People of Lexington, Kentucky are warned to carry their umbrellas as the city expects a week of heavy downpour. The weather forecasters have fore inplace a sequence of low pressure systems that shall continue to produce rainfall and occasional thunderstorms.

The wet weather will begin on Thursday with the rain predicted at 100% and possible thunderstorms. The temperature will be between 65°F (18°C) with the southeast wind blowing at a speed of 10-15 mph and there is a possibility that it will rain up to 0.25 inch and will be rainy in the near future for the second largest city of the Bluegrass State.

The weather is expected to be rather unpredictable for the rest of the week as well. On Friday, the weather will be partly cloudy with a chance of scattered thunderstorms the expected high is 75°F (24°C), the precipitation chance is 60%. These are a favourable environment for the formation of thunderstorms hence the meteorological department has advised people to be on the lookout for any severe weather alerts that may be issued.

Saturday and Sunday also are expected to be wet, with showers predicted throughout the day. Saturday will be partly cloudy with showers in the morning and decreasing in the afternoon with a high of 72F/22C. Another round of showers and possible thunderstorms are expected on Sunday with a high of 77°F (25°C) and a 70% chance of precipitation.

Local meteorologist Sarah Thompson explains, “We’re looking at a persistent flow of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, which is fueling these rain chances. While we don’t expect continuous rainfall, periods of heavy showers are likely, and some areas could see significant accumulation over the course of the week.”

The expected precipitation has already raised concerns about possible inundation of flood-prone zones and near stream and creek beds. Local authorities are closely observing the situation and have prepared special services to react to the possible problems caused by a storm. The public in the flood affected regions is urged to continue monitoring the situation and be ready to evacuate in case of a flood.

Due to the wet weather conditions the Lexington’s Parks and Recreation Department have stated that some of the events planned for the following week may be moved to another date or venue. Other groups such as the sports leagues and community organisations have also scanned through their calendars and come up with plans in case of a change in the situation.

Both for farmers of the surrounding counties the rainfall is a double edged sword. Although it is good for the crops, rain at this time is not very good for those who have not finished planting or those who have newly planted their crops. Agricultural extension agents are encouraging farmers to keep an eye on their fields and be ready with solutions in case there is drainage problem to worry about.

Of similar concern is the impact on business enterprises especially those whose operations depend on recreation or walking traffic. Erin McLaughlin, a co-owner of The Half Moon in the downtown area of Lexington, said her restaurant’s outdoor seating area may not be as busy as it has been in the past.

Some people would still prefer taking the public transport as opposed to driving their cars for fear of getting stuck in the rain. Lextran, the official public transport service of the city, has advised its passengers to prepare for longer than usual travel time and to be more careful when getting on and off the buses during rain.

UK officials have advised those who wish to attend University of Kentucky’s sporting events or any other campus activities to cheque for weather updates and carry along with them rain gears. The university’s facilities management department is working on improving the drainage systems within the university and also on preventing flood damages that may affect some equipment.

Nevertheless, small companies selling umbrellas and other rainy weather clothes have found a glimmer of hope. For instance, the hardware shops are selling more umbrellas, rain boots and materials for making items water proof due to the people’s preparedness for wet days.

The environmental organisations are encouraging residents to practise proper stormwater management during stormy weather. They advise people to clear the storm drains close to their homes to help avoid local flooding and to think about getting a rain barrel to collect the water that runs off into the street for use in watering plants.

It also leads an awareness of current issues of the city of Lexington and its ability to handle heavy rainfall. The city engineers are keen on the efficiency of the recent stormwater infrastructure improvements and will be using the data from this wet period in future works.

Despite the rains that are expected to fall in the region, the weather is not entirely unfavourable for the area in any way. The precipitation is expected to help lift some of the moderate drought conditions that Kentucky has been going through in the previous months. Also, the rain should will also play a role in decreasing the pollen formation hence being of benefit to those who have allergies.

While people in Lexington are getting ready for the rainy week, the officials remind the population to stay updated with the weather and possible alerts. They recommend to follow official social media pages and local media for more information.

In conclusion, though Lexington may be in for a wet week, the community is quite ready for any storms that might come its way. From politicians to shopkeepers and, of course, citizens, everyone is concerned about their safety and preparedness as well as how to make the most out of the rainy days ahead. According to one of the local residents, who are by the way, long time residents of the area, “A little rain never hurt anybody.” We will be fine and our gardens will be the better for it.