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Real Time Bowling Green Weather Radar:
Today – Mostly Cloudy – High 35˚ / Tonight – Rain – Low 31˚
Good morning! I hope everyone had a great day yesterday and was able to maybe get out and play in the snow for a little while. I know I saw some funny pictures and videos of people letting their dogs play in it! As much fun as yesterday was, it looks like the next few days are going to be even more interesting as another winter weather system comes our way.
WPC Surface Map via NOAA, Valid 12 PM
Today, however, should offer a small break in the craziness. For most of the day, it will be mostly cloudy, with highs reaching the mid 30’s. In the evening, rain will enter the region and increase into the overnight hours. Lows will be in the low 30’s.
Remember how I said it was going to get interesting? Well, here it is. Starting Thursday evening through Saturday morning, we will see several different precipitation types, such as rain, freezing rain, and snow. Based on this and the total accumulation amounts over the next 2 days, the National Weather Service has put a good portion of Kentucky under a Winter Storm Watch from 6PM Thursday until 6AM Saturday.
Via NWS Louisville
Friday – Wintry Mix then Snow – High 32˚ / Friday Night – Snow – Low 26˚
I’m going to give a brief overview of what is going on in the atmosphere that’s causing all of this crazy weather. So, here we go. A low pressure system has formed and is becoming stronger as it moves from the South toward the Atlantic. This system is bringing in a lot of moisture, so we will definitely be seeing some sort of precipitation over the next several days. Coupling the moisture in the atmosphere with warm air aloft, we will see many different types of precipitation, starting Thursday night. Thursday evening, we start off with rain, and by Friday morning, we will transition to a wintry mix of rain/freezing rain/ice.
Via NWS Louisville
As this system moves east, Friday afternoon will see mainly snow instead of the wintry mix. During that transition period between rain and snow, ice accumulation is very possible. This poses a very real threat for slick road conditions, so be careful when driving Friday.
WPC Surface Map via NOAA, Valid 6AM
Because this system is advecting so much moisture into the region, heavy snow will be an issue at some point Friday, so please be very careful if you’re on the roads. Give yourself plenty of time when commuting and plenty of space between other vehicles on the road. Another hazard for Friday is the risk for high winds, with gusts around 25 mph. With wind gusts this high, there is a possibility for blowing snow, which can really decrease visibility while driving.
Snow will continue to fall Friday night and into the overnight hours as the system moves eastward. Lows for the evening will be in the mid 20’s.
Saturday – Stray Snow Shower – High 30˚ / Saturday Night – Partly Cloudy – Low 15˚
There could be a stray snow shower or 2 Saturday morning, but high pressure is settling in, keeping us mainly dry. Highs will be in the low 30’s under partly sunny skies. For the evening, lows will be in the low teens (Brrrrr cold) under partly cloudy skies.
The overall message for this forecast: be weather aware over the next 36 hours. With each new model run, confidence is growing stronger and stronger that a significant winter weather event will take place Thursday and Friday. The models are suggesting there’s a good probability of at least 4 inches of snow falling Friday across the state, with some areas seeing 8+ inches of snow.
With the variability of winter weather, there is a chance this forecast could change by tomorrow morning. That is why I encourage you to keep up with the weather through social media and trusted Meteorologists. You can never be too aware of what’s going on with the weather!
Stay tuned on twitter @WxOrNotBG and check the blog for updates!