Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Louisville, KY
Issued by NWS Louisville, KY
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649 FXUS63 KLMK 181905 AFDLMK Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Louisville KY 305 PM EDT Wed Sep 18 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... * One or two showers are possible this evening, with lingering moisture contributing to the development of fog Thursday morning. * Mainly dry and hot weather tomorrow through Sunday with highs each day around 90 degrees. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/... Issued at 304 PM EDT Wed Sep 18 2024 This afternoon, the remnant mid-level low from the tropical system earlier this week is centered over the upstate of South Carolina. Greater sfc-700 mb moisture in the vicinity of this mid-level low has allowed for the development of a broken stratocumulus cloud layer this afternoon, with the thickest cloud cover currently being observed south and east of a line extending from Munfordville to Mount Sterling. With a fairly deep layer of near saturation present, an isolated rain shower will be possible this afternoon into the early evening hours, particularly along and east of US 127. At this hour, temperatures range from the mid-70s to the mid-80s depending on cloud cover, and it`s expected that we`ll add another few degrees area-wide for highs this afternoon. This evening into tonight, the mid-level low is expected to pivot to the east, allowing drier air in the mid-troposphere to be drawn into the area from the north. Once we lose daytime heating, much of the stratocu field is expected to dissipate, and clearing skies are expected into the overnight hours. With boundary layer mixing this afternoon limited by the extra cloud cover, ample near-sfc moisture will remain over much of the area into Thursday morning. With a weak pressure gradient keeping winds calm or light/variable overnight, conditions will be favorable for fog across the area early Thursday morning. One uncertain factor is whether or not a few low-mid clouds will linger overnight, potentially limiting sfc decoupling. Given the signal, will go ahead and advertise patchy and/or areas of fog in this forecast. On Thursday, any lingering fog should burn off quickly after sunrise as sunshine allows drier air aloft to mix down to the surface. Increasing heights and thicknesses aloft will promote a continued warming trend, and drier mid-level air should also lead to less diurnally-enhanced cloud cover tomorrow in the late morning and afternoon hours, though extra clouds will still be expected in eastern and southeastern portions of the FA. Light north winds and high temperatures ranging from the mid 80s to the low 90s are expected on Thursday, starting a stretch of multiple unseasonably warm and dry days in a row. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 304 PM EDT Wed Sep 18 2024 Thursday Night - Friday Night... Upper ridge axis holds over our area to end the work week, keeping us dry and above normal for high temps. Plenty of sunshine and H85 temps nearing 20C will allow for highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s. Quite a bit of spread among MAV/MET guidance, however like something close to the NBM which pretty much splits the difference. Lows should mostly be in the low and mid 60s. Saturday - Sunday Night... By early Saturday morning, a weak frontal boundary trailing from a northern Manitoba surface low will work into our area, and likely stall through the weekend. This feature is expected to be very weak and lacking in overall deep moisture. As a result, don`t expect a whole lot out of it other than some increased mid to upper sky cover. There are some models that are hinting at a few very isolated showers over the northern half of the CWA. Not sure coverage would be enough to justify a 20% mention at this time, and anticipate a bit of a drying trend in the data by then given how the moisture profile looks on soundings/time heights. Warm temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s continue through the weekend. Monday - Wednesday... A much stronger area of low pressure wobbles over southern Canada with mid level troughing overspreading the central CONUS into the Great Lakes/Ohio River Valley region by early next week. This will drag another and stronger cold front into our region, bringing chances for showers and a few storms through mid week. Overall, temperatures should be cooler during this stretch, falling back into the 80s for highs, and even upper 70s and low 80s by the Wednesday. Looking beyond the current forecast window, a potential tropical system coming out of the Gulf may need to be monitored if it develops, and depending on its eventual track. The aforementioned upper trough (prevailing westerlies) would ultimately play a role in whether that potential tropical system decides to take a more easterly route. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 140 PM EDT Wed Sep 18 2024 A broken stratocu deck is present across the area this afternoon as left over tropical moisture lingers over the region. These low clouds should gradually dissipate later this evening, although a SCT 4-5 kft cloud layer may hold on for an extra few hours at LEX and RGA. Light N/NE winds are expected until around sunset this evening, with winds going light and variable for the overnight hours. There is a fairly strong signal for fog early tomorrow morning, especially at BWG and RGA. The main uncertainty is whether or not the low-mid cloud layer hangs around overnight, which would reduce fog potential. Any fog which does form should dissipate by 13-14Z Thursday, with VFR conditions and light north winds expected through the end of the current forecast period. && .LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KY...None. IN...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...CSG LONG TERM...BJS AVIATION...CSG