WKU Meteorology

Even though my last post mentioned a warm start to November, the 06Z and 12Z runs of the operational GFS suggest quite the opposite. In fact, if either of the morning runs of the GFS were to verify it is possible that south-central KY could have its first early November snowfall since 1966. Continue reading →

Since my last post on October 10th “Interesting pattern last two weeks of October” the jet stream has indeed been as progressive as predicted with a number of recent storms. The next storm on the horizon should bring beneficial rainfall to much of the Mid-South for much of next week. Continue reading →

After months of monotonous heat and drought across the Mid-South the synoptic pattern is showing some interesting changes. Continue reading →

A pattern change is coming to the Mid-South but unfortunately it will not ease the severe to exceptional drought conditions that have persisted throughout the summer and fall. Continue reading →

The weather pattern has not changed since my last post (September blowtorch) so I haven’t felt compelled to comment. However, with September now in the books as one of the top 15 warmest on record in many locations in the Mid-South (including 3rd warmest in Louisville), it is time to look forward to October. Continue reading →

As I mentioned a few days ago here, the heat (if not the humidity) of summer will return after our weekend cooldown. Who to blame? You can actually blame the same Canadian high that will cool us down this weekend. Continue reading →

While the Wednesday – Sunday period will feature comfortable afternoons with chilly mornings (some places may drop into the 40s) this snap of seasonable weather will be short-lived. The models show summer-like warmth and humidity building back into the Mid-South starting next week. This warm and dry pattern should continue through the end of September.

I first mentioned the possibility of La Nina developing back in February (La Nina and the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season) and now the Climate Prediction Center has stated that La Nina is indeed developing in their latest ENSO diagnostic discussion (this is a must read for anyone interested in Meteorology – don’t worry if you don’t understand all of it, you will learn this stuff over time). What does this mean for our drought situation? Continue reading →

A week ago I wrote that the Thursday – Tuesday period (9/6 – 9/10) should have an increased rain chance due to a flow of deep moisture from the Gulf. The forecast reasoning was sound but the persistent extratropical low that may be transitioning into a tropical depression has pushed the best chance for rain for the Mid-South back a few days. Continue reading →

I know that a lot of people around the Mid-South are probably thinking that the extreme heat of August 2007 was caused by global warming or that it is a “sign” of some sort from Mother Nature. This is nonsense. Just a few short years ago August 2004 was the 4th coldest August since 1896 and was as freakishly cool as August 2007 was freakishly hot. And don’t forget about the cool and wet June 2003 (6th coolest June with nine inches of rain). Continue reading →