782
FXUS63 KLMK 220554
AFDLMK

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
154 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026

...Updated Aviation Discussion...

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Severe thunderstorms are likely from midday through this evening,
  with all severe hazards possible. Damaging straight-line winds are
  the main hazard, but a few tornadoes and large hail will be
  possible. Localized heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding,
  especially east of I-65.

* Calm weather moves in with cooler than average highs for Wednesday
  through Friday this week.

* Rain chances return late week into the weekend with maximum
  temperatures returning to the 90s.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 145 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

*** Today and Tonight ***

An upper level trough is beginning to drop south into the northern
part of the Ohio Valley. An associated low pressure system over
Ontario is draping a cold front SW through northern IL into the
Central Plains. This front is expected to push through the forecast
area today and tonight. Ahead of the line, PWATS are between 1.5" to
2" across the region (on the order of 75th to 99th percentile for
late July). As storms start to move in this afternoon, PWATS could
reach 2.5" (approaching climatological maximum for late July).
Southern IN counties can expected for storms to start moving in
early afternoon, with a some more discrete storms initially. As the
afternoon progresses, a broken line of storms will beginning to
develop over southern IN and move SW through KY.

All severe threats remain possible for this afternoon and evening.
Gusty winds up to 70 MPH are expected with storms, along with a 1"-
2" hail threat. Isolated large hail is not out of the question, but
has the greatest chance with discrete cellular storms rather than
with the linear convection. A few isolated tornadoes are possible
mainly east of I-65, but not off the table for the remaining of the
forecast area. SBCAPE values are ranging from 2,000 - 4,000 J/kg
across the area providing ample instability for the environment.
Deep layer shear values of 30 - 40 kts are also expected to move in
ahead of this line, adding to the threat of tornadoes. However, LCL
heights are expected to remain marginal which would decrease that
threat slightly. There is also a concern for flash flooding with the
favorable PWAT environment. Storms will produce heavy rainfall
leading to isolated flash flooding, along with any training storms
through the evening hours. A flood watch has been issued for KY
counties mainly east of I-65 that will run through late tonight.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Issued at 145 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

*** Tomorrow - Monday Night ***

Behind the cold front, a surface high pressure will build into the
Ohio Valley starting tomorrow. The upper level ridge that is
currently in place over the southern Plains will continue to
persist, leaving the Ohio Valley region in a northwesterly flow
aloft. Tomorrow some gusty winds are possible through the day as a
mid-level jet moves through. Maximum temperatures tomorrow are
expected to be in the mid to low 80s tomorrow with the CAA behind
the front. Temperatures will bounce back to the mid to upper 80s by
Saturday.

The next chance for precip will be Friday as a shortwave
trough moves east from the Central Plains. As we move into the late
weekend early week, a couple frontal boundaries will move through
the region. This will likely bring another round of rain showers for
Sunday into Monday. Temperatures to start the week will be in the
upper 80s and low 90s.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 153 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026

As surface high pressure begins to drop southeast towards the Lower
Ohio Valley, skies will become more clear tonight as winds drop near
calm. This is expected to lead to areas of fog in the east over LEX
and RGA as temperatures fall to the dew point. A layer of low
stratus is also expected to form near the same area. Believe this
will impact RGA the most with LEX having lesser impacts.

&&

.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...None.
IN...None.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...CAL
LONG TERM...CAL
AVIATION...KDW