WKU Meteorology

June is almost here and Kentucky has yet to record a 90 degree day, although southern KY could get there on Friday (although I wouldn’t hold my breath). The median date for the first 90 degree day of the year is 6/2 for Bowling Green and 6/7 for Louisville. But more importantly, what does the rest of the summer look like? (more…)

In my last post I discussed how a ridge would build across the central U.S. Thursday and Friday in response to a deepening trough over the western United States. As often happens this time of year, the downstream polar vortex that has brought the unseasonably chilly weather to much of the north-central U.S. over the past two weeks has become closed off aloft, which has resulted in an Omega blocking pattern that has delayed our warm-up. (more…)

In my last post I mentioned that there was some model disagreement regarding the 2nd half of next week. I mentioned that the GFS called for a return to cold and wet while the European model kept the cold air to the west and allowed a warm ridge to overspread the central United States. Today’s GFS now agrees with the warm ridge idea. (more…)

The phased jet streak pattern mentioned in my previous post that resulted in rain every 2-3 days will transition to a less wet but cool northwest flow over the next week. (more…)

The rest of May is shaping up to be unsettled across the central United States as a perfect setup for shortwave generation in is place. (more…)