279
FXUS63 KLMK 161921
AFDLMK

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
321 PM EDT Sun Jun 16 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

*   Persistent early season heat wave expected, with highs well into
    the 90s each day.

*   Heat index values not expected to reach advisory levels, but
    societal impacts are likely.

*   Spotty coverage of afternoon thunderstorms today and Monday,
    then largely dry from Tuesday into next weekend.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 320 PM EDT Sun Jun 16 2024

A strong upper level high is centered over the Carolinas this
afternoon and will remain anchored there through Monday. This upper
ridging is forecast to amplify on Monday as very subtle upper level
shortwave energy streams north over the Lower to Mid-MS Valley. At
the surface, strong high pressure is centered over Massachusetts and
is forecast to drift east over the western Atlantic through
tomorrow.

A hot and humid afternoon is underway with temperatures running in
the upper 80s to lower 90s. We still have a SW to NE low-level
moisture gradient, but sfc dewpoints have steadily risen since this
morning and are now in the mid 60s to lower 70s. Low-level SW flow
continues to advect rich low-level moisture into the region, and low
70s dewpoints are now common across western and portions of central
KY. Heat indices are expected to top out in the 95-105 range this
afternoon, with the highest values in the western and southern
portions of the CWA. While below advisory criteria, some impact to
vulnerable populations is possible. If working or spending time
outdoors, take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning and
drink plenty of water. Remember to check the back seat, and never
leave children or pets unattended in vehicles for any length of
time.

The hot, humid airmass has also become quite unstable, with MLCAPE
exceeding 2000 J/kg across western and south-central KY. Spotty
convection has bubbled up in Middle TN and is drifting slowly to the
northeast. Expect this convection and its associated outflow to
generate additional widely scattered convection across south-central
KY late this afternoon and evening. With steep low-level lapse rates
and high DCAPE in excess of 1000 J/kg, expect locally strong wind
gusts with any thunderstorm. Brief heavy rainfall is also likely.
This pulse convection will be relatively sparse, so most will stay
hot and dry. Convection will diminish shortly after sunset.

The more humid air flowing into the region will result in a warmer
night with lows in the lower 70s. The Louisville urban heat island
will likely only dip into the mid 70s by daybreak. Temperatures will
warm quickly once again Monday morning. Expect a hot, humid day with
afternoon highs in the low to mid 90s. Scattered afternoon
convection is expected once again, though spotty storms will be
possible area-wide. These storms will also be capable of brief heavy
rainfall and locally gusty winds (and welcome relief from the heat).

Peak heat indices near 100 degrees are forecast for Monday afternoon
and early evening.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 320 PM EDT Sun Jun 16 2024

Mid and upper level ridging continues to strengthen and expand on
Tuesday with the center drifting northward slowly. There is a small
chance (10-15%) for an isolated shower or storm, but it seems
unlikely convection develops at all due to increasing subsidence
aloft. The better chance for pulse convection will be off to our
west and northwest. This will give us a hot, dry day with afternoon
highs in the low to mid 90s.

Wednesday through Friday, the strengthening East Coast ridge takes
on more of an east-west orientation, resulting in height rises and
mid-level subsidence over the Ohio Valley. This will keep a lid on
convection, and allow temps to climb into the mid/upper 90s. Still
not going too crazy with the heat index, as the warming will be
offset by dewpoints dropping into the lower 60s by Thu-Fri. It`s
nothing you`ll mistake for the desert, but just enough to take the
edge off the heat.

Small rain chances return next weekend, as the ridging starts to
show weakness across the Great Lakes. POPs still only around 20
percent but we`ll keep an eye on that for some break in the heat and
potential developing drought.

Confidence in reaching triple-digit heat indices is not high enough
for even a duration-based Heat Advisory. However, a prolonged period
of hot temperatures is very likely to cause societal impacts, so we
will ramp up messaging to core partners and be prepared to go with a
Heat Advisory if confidence in broader impacts increases.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 144 PM EDT Sun Jun 16 2024

Prevailing VFR conditions likely. SCT cumulus near 5 kft will
continue to expand north from Middle TN this afternoon, with clouds
thinning after sunset. Scattered convection is possible after 19Z
this afternoon in south-central KY, but coverage will be spotty
which limits confidence for TSRA mention in the BWG TAF. Suppose RGA
could also see a rogue shower or storm this evening, but confidence
is even lower that far north. Any storm near BWG this afternoon and
evening could produce brief heavy rainfall, resulting in IFR/MVFR
visibility. Gusty, erratic winds are also possible with any
thunderstorm.

Mainly dry conditions overnight with light southerly winds. SCT
convection is expected Monday afternoon and evening.

&&

.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...Air Quality Alert until midnight EDT tonight for KYZ029>031.
IN...Air Quality Alert until midnight EDT /11 PM CDT/ tonight for
     INZ076>079-083-084-089>092.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...EBW
LONG TERM...RAS/EBW
AVIATION...EBW