Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Jackson, KY
Issued by NWS Jackson, KY
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263 FXUS63 KJKL 270943 AFDJKL AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Jackson KY 443 AM EST Thu Nov 27 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - A cold and drier airmass will settle into the region for Thanksgiving and Black Friday. - There is still considerable uncertainty in the forecast for the early to middle part of next week. Some wintry precipitation is possible during the Monday night through Tuesday night period. && .SHORT TERM...(Today through Friday) Issued at 443 AM EST THU NOV 27 2025 As of the 0730Z surface analysis, an occluding surface low-pressure system is tracking eastward from the Great Lakes region into southern Ontario. Extending equatorward from the low center, a cold front is positioned along the Atlantic Seaboard, oriented roughly north-south. Following the frontal passage, a dominant surface high- pressure system has become firmly established across a vast portion of the central CONUS. This 1032 mb high is centered over eastern Nebraska, yet its expansive influence is evident across the CONUS east of the Rocky Mountains. Locally, this anticyclonic influence is producing dry weather over eastern Kentucky. Apart from mid- and high-level clouds associated with the occluded low, current conditions are tranquil and cold. The remainder of the day and the duration of the short-term forecast will be governed by the persistence of the surface high pressure, ensuring continued dry weather. However, the upper-level flow will remain northwesterly, favoring persistent CAA throughout the period. Consequently, todays maximum temperatures are projected to reach the upper 30s across northern areas, warming into the lower 40s to the south. Overnight minimum temperatures will descend into the upper teens to mid 20s. An advancing upper-level shortwave trough is expected to usher in slightly colder air for Friday, resulting in high temperatures a couple of degrees cooler, while conditions remain dry. The short-term forecast period will therefore be characterized by surface high pressure and below-average temperatures due to upper-level northwesterly flow and associated CAA for both Thanksgiving and Black Friday. .LONG TERM...(Friday night through Wednesday) Issued at 443 AM EST THU NOV 27 2025 The long-term forecast period commences with the continued dominance of surface high pressure. To the west, an upper-level trough is forecast to move rapidly from the Rocky Mountains across the Central Plains and eject into the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region. This evolution will induce a warm front to lift northward through the Commonwealth, increasing the likelihood of precipitation beginning late Saturday night. There is potential for a rain-snow mix ahead of the warm front Saturday night, as surface temperatures may be marginally cold enough to support frozen precipitation. However, differences exist among model forecasts (e.g., soundings and critical thickness contours) with some suggesting all rain (NAM and ECMWF) and others a rain-snow mix (GFS). A slight lean towards a rain-snow mix for a few hours is included during the initial warm frontal passage. Once the warmer air mass is established, rain showers are likely through the day Saturday into Sunday until the passage of an associated cold front occurs overnight Sunday into early Monday. Backside snow showers will be possible Monday morning as strong CAA behind the cold front ushers significantly colder air back into the region. A weak surface ridge is forecast for Monday, but models indicate it will quickly dissipate as another low-pressure system approaches from the south. A second warm front is expected to lift through the area, similar to Saturday nights setup, leading to the potential for another wintry mix on Tuesday. Confidence is low regarding the precise track of the surface low, critical temperatures, and critical thickness values, making the Tuesday forecast challenging. Nonetheless, the overall model trend suggests progressively colder solutions, necessitating close monitoring of this system. Following the departure of Tuesdays system, surface high pressure is forecast to rebuild into the area for Wednesday, but another system is projected to impact the region by Thursday. The extended forecast period is highlighted by the passage of multiple shortwave systems that will bring periods of winter weather, commencing Saturday night and again on Monday and Tuesday. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Thursday night) ISSUED AT 1217 AM EST THU NOV 27 2025 Winds have largely diminished across the area, with KSJS and KSYM holding on to some lingering gusts up to 15 KTS. KSJS may retain elevated winds through the overnight. Clouds have hung around some with a OVC050 deck expected to clear out of the area over the next few hours. VFR conditions are expected through the TAF period. Winds are expected to return again Thursday morning, with gusts 15-20 kts expected at all TAF sites. Wind are then expected to diminish around 20-23Z Thursday, as skies clear. && .JKL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SHORT TERM...VORST LONG TERM...VORST AVIATION...GINNICK