421 FXUS63 KLMK 102030 AFDLMKArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Louisville KY 430 PM EDT Wed Sep 10 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
* A few showers are possible tonight into tomorrow, though most will remain dry.
* Above normal temperatures and mostly dry weather are expected through at least the middle of next week. Potential for rapid onset drought and enhanced fire weather conditions continues to increase for mid-to-late September.
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.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Issued at 430 PM EDT Wed Sep 10 2025
This afternoon, mid-level water vapor imagery shows a couple shortwaves swinging across the lower Great Lakes and Midwest, with the Ohio Valley being on the southern edge of these features. A layer of higher moisture in the mid-levels combined with the shortwaves has supported the development of an area of clouds and light rain showers which is along the I-65 corridor as of 19Z. Within this area of clouds and showers, temperatures are some 5-10 degrees cooler than surrounding areas, with temperatures recovering quickly as the clouds exit. Over the past hour, there has been a weakening in reflectivities as the band of showers outruns the best moisture. For the rest of the afternoon, most of the area should remain dry, with a few lingering light rain showers. Precipitation amounts should be less than 0.10".
Tonight, continued troughiness in the mid-levels combined with lingering mid-level moisture along and west of I-65 will support at least isolated rain showers. Since there is not one particular area that showers are favored, we`ll carry a slight chance PoP across most of the CWA overnight, though again, most locations should remain dry. While there will likely be lingering scattered mid-level clouds overnight, where clouds clear, increased sfc moisture should support fog at least in valleys and near bodies of water, with patchy fog elsewhere. Low temperatures should be milder, ranging from the low-to-mid 50s in the deepest valleys in east central KY to the mid 60s across southwestern KY.
Tomorrow, ridging aloft over the southern Plains will spread eastward as shortwave troughing ejects eastward toward the Appalachians. At the surface, the Ohio Valley will be on the southern fringe of high pressure centered over Hudson Bay, with light northerly winds bringing drier air into the area by tomorrow night. While the better forcing will be exiting the region with the mid-level trough, there could be enough instability for a few showers and storms to pop up tomorrow afternoon, especially across south central KY. High temperatures tomorrow should range from the mid 80s across the KY Bluegrass to around 90 degrees along the Natcher Parkway.
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.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 430 PM EDT Wed Sep 10 2025
An abnormally warm and mainly dry pattern is expected through the extended forecast period. Upper-level ridging will continue to expand toward the Mississippi Valley on Friday, helping temperatures to continue on an upward trend into the weekend. The lower PWAT air mass which begins to move into the area tomorrow will remain overhead on Friday, so while temperatures should warm into the mid 80s to around 90 Friday afternoon, dewpoint temperatures in the low- to-mid 50s will make things feel more tolerable. The combination of warming temps and falling dewpoints will lead to widespread lower dewpoints on Friday, which could create some fire weather concern. Fortunately, surface winds should remain light and fuel moisture is still relatively high, but it is something we`ll have to watch given the expected dry weather ahead.
This weekend into early next week, there is high confidence in above normal temperatures as omega blocking pattern persists over the Mississippi Valley. The main source of disagreement in the models is in the potential for a backdoor cold front for late in the weekend into early next week. The GEFS/GFS continues to keep the associated mid-level trough well off to the east, with the heat dome remaining firmly in place over our area. On the other hand, the EPS/ECMWF digs the trough farther to the west, bringing the cold front into the region Sunday into Monday. This would increase the potential for showers and storms ahead of the front, as well as knock temperatures and humidity back slightly for the first few days of next week (temps would still be above normal). Regardless, most of the next seven days should be dry and very warm, increasing the potential for rapid onset drought across the area.
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.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 146 PM EDT Wed Sep 10 2025
A weak disturbance is bringing an area of light rain showers and mid-level clouds to the region. Most of these showers are passing between SDF and BWG this afternoon, so we`ll keep a dry forecast for now. At this time, even if a shower does impact a terminal, impacts should be limited, with visibilities only dropping to around 5-6 SM. A chance for an isolated shower at SDF/BWG/HNB will continue this evening into the early overnight hours, with expected coverage and impacts being low enough to keep a dry forecast going. Winds will be variable between SW and NW this afternoon and evening, with speeds mainly less than 10 kt.
Early Thursday morning, some patchy fog may bring IFR/MVFR visibilities at HNB/BWG/RGA; however, there is some uncertainty as to whether lingering mid-level clouds will limit fog potential. Otherwise, light and variable winds are expected tonight into Thursday morning.
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.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KY...None. IN...None.
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SHORT TERM...CSG LONG TERM...CSG AVIATION...CSG
NWS LMK Office Area Forecast Discussion