textproduct: Louisville

KEY MESSAGES

* Patchy freezing fog is possible tonight into early Thursday morning.

* Our prolonged stretch of much colder than normal weather will linger through the weekend.

* Light snow and flurries possible late Thursday night through Friday as an upper level disturbance crosses the region.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 404 PM EST Wed Jan 28 2026

Current satellite imagery shows a mid-level cloud deck in the southern half of Kentucky, while northern Kentucky and southern Indiana are mostly clear. Temperatures are generally in the high teens and low 20s. The warmer temperatures in the mid 20s are across the southern Kentucky border. Surface winds are slightly elevated in northeastern Kentucky and southern Indiana. Wind speeds are currently around 10mph with gust in the upper teens.

Tonight surface winds will become calm as a deep layer of clouds move into the area from the west. These clouds are a result of a weak upper level disturbance making its way out of the forecast area. Low temperatures tonight will be in the single digits north of the parkways. Mid to upper teens are more likely for the southern half of the forecast area. The low level moisture and calm winds will lead to some areas of patchy fog late tonight into early morning Thursday. Areas around Bowling Green and in southern Indiana have the greatest probability, while freezing fog could also be possible in southern Indiana.

Thursday will remain mostly cloudy throughout the day and could cause lower visibilities in the early morning due to the potential for fog. Temperatures during the day are likely to reach the mid to upper 20s in most of the region. Warmer temperatures in the low 30s will be along the Kentucky-Tennessee border. Surface winds will remain calm throughout the day.

LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 404 PM EST Wed Jan 28 2026

We'll remain in a cold and fairly active NW flow pattern Thu night into Friday. A mid-level shortwave impulse is forecast to rotate cyclonically across the Southeast, while a much deeper upper level trough drops south over the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. Enhanced mid-level moisture streaming in from the NW will be sufficient for at least flurries on Friday. A somewhat narrower band of light snow appears possible, which would shift east-southeast across the region from early Friday morning through Friday evening. This could produce a swath of very minor snow accumulation, most likely an inch or less of dry, fluffy snow. Some localized impacts due to slick roads cannot be ruled out due to light snow during the Friday morning and afternoon commutes. Lows Friday morning are forecast to range from 10-20 degrees from north to south, with afternoon highs in the lower 20s (north) to around 30 degrees (south).

The upper level trough swings overhead Friday night into Saturday, while strong arctic high pressure builds south over the Plains and Midwest at the surface. Another surge of frigid air will stream into the region on deep northerly flow. Light snow and flurry chances do linger into Saturday, particularly across southeastern portions of the area.

Air temperatures will plummet into the single digits early Saturday morning, and wind chills are likely to drop below zero. Wind chills as cold as -5 to -10 are possible. High temperatures on Saturday will only reach the teens.

Saturday night and Sunday look very cold, and much colder than normal temperatures will linger into early next week. A clipper system diving in from the northwest may bring another round of light snow on Monday. Some moderation in temperatures appears possible through next week.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 120 PM EST Wed Jan 28 2026

Mostly VFR conditions appear likely through this TAF period, with the exception of some patchy fog potential tonight into early Thursday morning. BWG appears to have the best fog potential, but SCT-BKN mid and high clouds streaming overhead from the northwest may limit fog development to some degree. Westerly winds are increasing to around 10 kt early this afternoon, but will diminish to 5 kts or less shortly after sunset. Winds remain light through Thu due to high pressure overhead, and ceilings remain VFR.

LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

KY...None. IN...None.