Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017  2 P.M.

Cold Front approaching rapidly

A strong cold front is pushing rapidly (about 50 mph) southeastward across the lower Ohio Valley. Currently, is is stretched from about Indy southwest to near Paducah.  That pushes the front through the Louisville area between about 4:00 and 5:00 this afternoon.  The front has become active with a narrow line the showers/thunderstorms along it.

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for all of southwestern Indiana WEST of I-65 and most of KY west of Louisville.  Louisville is not in the Watch.  Nevertheless, the front is already beyond it’s severe weather.  A couple of severe winds reports came from southern Illinois as the system developed (often the case in marginal situations), but over the past hour or so the energy has become more evenly distributed along the cold front.  Thus, the threat for severe weather in Louisville area is very low.  Strong winds, yes; severe winds, probably not.

What to expect:  Winds will be quite gusty as the front approaches.  Wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph will be likely.  The cold front will bring a narrow line of showers and thunderstorms through the local area between about 4:00 and 5:00 P.M.  During that time we may see gusts reach 50 mph.

Temperatures will remain in the mid 60’s before the rain.  An hour later they should be in the lower 50’s.  After the rain departs, strong winds will continue for a few more hours.  This time they will be from the northwest around 30-40 mph.

NOTE:  Yesterday I was hoping the cold front would arrive around 3:30 so that the UL-Syracuse game start would be delayed, but played straight through after that.  Now, it looks as though the game should start but still be in the first quarter when the thunder hits. Then a delay of 60 minutes to 90 minutes before resumption..