LMK issues Area Forecast Discussion (AFD) at Jan 17, 12:56 AM EST ...Updated Aviation Discussion...533 
FXUS63 KLMK 170556
AFDLMK
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
1256 AM EST Fri Jan 17 2025
...Updated Aviation Discussion...
.KEY MESSAGES...
*  Patchy fog possible tonight, with the greatest chance for fog 
   along and west of I-65. A few slick spots will be possible due to 
   re-freezing of melted snow/ice as well as possible freezing fog.
*  Light to moderate rain expected Friday night and Saturday 
   morning, with precipitation possibly ending as flurries or light 
   snow late Saturday into Sunday. 
*  Frigid arctic air to invade the region late in the weekend 
   through early next week. Wind chills in the single digits likely 
   Monday and Tuesday, with a period below zero Monday morning. 
   Single digits are also likely Wednesday morning.
&&
.UPDATE...
Issued at 957 PM EST Thu Jan 16 2025
Evening satellite imagery shows partly cloudy skies across the 
region.  High cirrus was building into the region from the 
northwest, but is generally patchy in nature.  Temps were in the 
lower 30s in most locations, but a few pockets of upper 20s were 
noted out west of I-65.  For the overnight period, main forecast 
concern is that winds will slacken off and then pick up out of the 
south/southeast and lead to some warm advection fog to develop. 
Think overall that fog will be more patchy in nature and focused 
mainly west of I-65 and out over far SW IN.  Will continue the 
Special Weather Statement highlighting the potential for water re-
freeze on roads (bridges/overpasses) and for the patchy freezing 
fog.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 325 PM EST Thu Jan 16 2025
This afternoon, most of the region is experiencing sunny skies, 
which has helped temperatures to warm into the upper 30s and lower 
40s across southern IN/north central KY and into the mid-40s to 
around 50 across south central KY. The sfc pressure trough which 
brought increased clouds and a few snow flurries to the region this 
morning has quickly passed to the east of the Appalachians, with NW 
flow aloft now in place over the region. Westerly winds have been 
breezy so far today thanks to a fairly strong pressure gradient in 
between the departing trough and an approaching area of high 
pressure over the Plains. 
Areas of H85 cold advection continue to swing from the Great Lakes 
toward the middle Appalachians, with areas of low stratus clipping 
northern and eastern portions of the forecast area in association 
with this low-level cold advection. So far, these clouds have 
scattered as they have moved into northern portions of the area, 
although another cold advection lobe and area of clouds will 
approach the region from northern IL/IN later this evening.
This evening into tonight, as the trough near the Appalachians moves 
farther to the east, temperatures will begin to warm from the 
southwest as ridging moves toward the area. There is some 
uncertainty as to the extent of low clouds this evening, with clouds 
expected to be the most persistent along and east of US 127. Where 
more clearing occurs, there is a signal in hi-res guidance for fog, 
as sfc high pressure moving just south of the area will allow winds 
to become light overnight. While low-level moisture has had more 
potential to mix out today with the greater sunshine, dewpoints in 
the upper 20s and lower 30s are near/above expected lows tonight, 
which supports fog potential. The 12Z HREF has 50-60% chances of 
visibility less than 1 mile, especially across portions of southern 
and southwest IN and KY west of I-65. With temperatures falling 
below freezing overnight, some freezing fog potential also exists, 
which could cause slick roads in addition to areas where snow/ice 
has melted today. However, since the existence of fog is still 
somewhat uncertain, will hold off on any headlines at this time and 
monitor obs/guidance trends this evening.
For the day on Friday, the low-level temperature ridge will move 
over the Ohio Valley as southerly flow increases on the western side 
of sfc high pressure. Once any lingering fog burns off tomorrow 
morning, mostly sunny skies are expected the rest of the day until 
high clouds begin to move in from the west in the late afternoon 
hours. Recent guidance has been too cold on full sun days, 
especially across snow-free areas of southern KY, so have gone 
considerably above NBM guidance for highs tomorrow. Will advertise 
highs ranging from the mid 40s across southern IN and the KY 
Bluegrass to the mid 50s across southern KY.
&&
.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Issued at 325 PM EST Thu Jan 16 2025
Friday Night - Sunday...
Widespread rain overspreads the area Friday night ahead of a 
shortwave trough embedded within the larger zonal flow pattern. Rain 
lingers into Saturday, before cold air builds in behind the passing 
frontal boundary Saturday night into Sunday. The recent trend with 
this rainfall has gone downward with amounts expected to mostly 
between .25" to .5". Areas across southern KY should expect the 
higher amounts, with locations across the north more likely to see 
the lower end of the range. Still have to factor in the amount of 
liquid sitting on top of the snowpack, which will reduce a little 
between now and rainfall onset. Today's 18z snow core yielded .8" of 
liquid, that still needs to melt off. Shouldn't be enough to cause 
any flooding concerns, especially with the downward trend in QPF for 
Friday night/Saturday.
Much colder air does set back into the area on Saturday night and 
Sunday with lows in the teens to low 20s by sunrise. Highs on Sunday 
likely do not make it out of the 20s. There is some concern for 
black ice Saturday night given melting snow/ice, possibly wet roads 
from earlier rainfall, and a lack of wind to dry things out. 
Something to watch for going forward.
Also going to carry some lingering light snowfall through 
Sunday/Sunday night as low level moisture is trapped, and we may end 
up with a window for a decent fetch off of Lake Michigan for 
moisture enhanced snow showers across our NE. Not expecting a lot 
accumulation with this, but given the cold air and potential for 
high snow ratios we could end up with some minor accums that could 
cause some impacts. Stay tuned.
Sunday night - Thursday...
Arctic high pressure at the surface and nearly full CONUS troughing 
envelop the area heading into early week. Expect bitter cold 
temperatures, and mainly dry conditions. Do have to watch for 
activity to the south of our CWA, that at the moment, looks to stay 
suppressed to the south. Any northward trends would bring our area 
(especially southern KY) more into play for some wintry impacts, but 
right now this portion of the forecast remains cold and dry.
Lows mostly in the single digits are expected each morning Monday 
through Wednesday, with a slight trend toward milder lows in the low 
20s by Thursday AM. Meanwhile, highs are expected in the teens and 
low 20s Mon/Tue, with a slight trend toward milder temps near 
freezing by Wed. Wind chills may dip down around our -5F threshold 
at times either of the coldest morning, so a Cold Weather Advisory 
is a possibility for some of the CWA (mainly the north CWA). Another 
thing to keep an eye on going forward.
&&
.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1255 AM EST Fri Jan 17 2025
VFR conditions are expected through the next 24 hours or so before 
the next wave of rain moves into the region. Currently, keeping an 
eye on possible LLWS beginning around 00z Saturday. This will be 
added to future TAFs if the signal remains. The current low level 
cloud cover at SDF and LEX is expected to continue lifting and
will move east of the airfields over the never few hours.
&&
.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...None.
IN...None.
&&
$$
UPDATE...MJ
SHORT TERM...CSG
LONG TERM...BJS
AVIATION...KDW
Source: 
LMK issues Area Forecast Discussion (AFD) at Jan 17, 12:56 AM EST ...Updated Aviation Discussion...---------------
If I'm using your data in a way that is against your terms please email the team at "threatweb@pupswoof117.com"! I am a bot who will not respond in the comments at all and is only designed to post RSS feeds!