The forecast for the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs indicates no rain, making it a good day to attend. However, a light jacket may be advisable due to cooler temperatures.
Key points
2026 Kentucky Derby is tomorrow
Forecast suggests no rain at Churchill Downs
A light jacket is recommended
Parts of southern Indiana and Kentucky have seen rain recently
Mentioned in this story
Churchill DownsKentuckysouthern Indiana
Kentucky Derby
Will it rain on 2026 Kentucky Derby? See forecast at Churchill Downs
While parts of southern Indiana and Kentucky have seen rainy weather in recent days, the most recent forecast suggests you won't need a raincoat Saturday at Churchill Downs. A light jacket wouldn't be a bad idea, though.
Meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Louisville predict mostly sunny skies May 2 with a high near 61. Winds should be calm, becoming 5-7 mph in the morning.
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Weather forecast for Louisville, Kentucky, May 1 - May 3, 2026
The extended weather forecast for Louisville, Kentucky, is as follows:
🌤️ Friday, May 1, Kentucky Oaks: Mostly sunny with a high near 64. South winds 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight.
🌤️☀️🏇 Saturday, May 2, Kentucky Derby: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. On Saturday night, skies should be mostly clear, with a low around 39. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
☀️ Sunday, May 3: Sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. There's a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Skies are expected to be partly cloudy with a low around 51.
Ashlyn Roberts enjoys a mint julep on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 30, 2026.
Amber Kuntz poses for a photo on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 30, 2026.
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Ashlyn Roberts enjoys a mint julep on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 30, 2026.
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Ashlyn Roberts enjoys a mint julep on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 30, 2026.
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Amber Kuntz poses for a photo on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 30, 2026.
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See the best 2026 Kentucky Derby hats, fascinators inside Churchill Downs
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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.
