Severe Storms Possible For Bowling Green Weather

Real Time Bowling Green Weather Radar:

Yesterday’s Weather

Bowling Green weather was a hot and toasty one yesterday. Under partly cloudy skies, and no precipitation, highs jumped up to 93° by 3:50 PM according to the National Weather Service in Louisville, KY. The low was 75°around midnight yesterday morning. A large MCS (AKA Thunderstorm Complex) moved north of the region, leading to numerous reports of damaging wind and tornadoes.

Storm Prediction Center Severe Weather Reports - Valid Wednesday - NOAA SPC — Storm Prediction Center Severe Weather Reports – Valid Wednesday – NOAA SPC

Forecast Summary

Today: Hot, humid…duh. Chance of strong to severe evening thunderstorms. Highs will be around 94°. Partly cloudy skies overnight with a low around 74°.

Note: Dew point temperatures in the low to mid 70’s will make it feel like 100° – 105°F.

Waking Up: 🌤 80°
Lunch Time: 🌤 93°
Evening: 🌩⛅️ 88°

Friday: Not as hot and partly cloudy. Highs around 91°. Partly cloudy skies overnight with a low around 71°.

Waking Up: 🌤 77°
Lunch Time: 🌤 90°
Evening: 🌤 86°

Saturday: Partly cloudy most of the day, isolated afternoon showers are possible. Highs will be around 92°. Partly cloudy skies will remain in place overnight with a low around 73°.

Waking Up: 🌤 74°
Lunch Time: 🌤90°
Evening: 🌩🌤 87°

Forecast Discussion

Overall, the MCS that was forecast by Pierce panned out nicely to the north of the region. Several tornadoes were reported in Illinois and Indiana, as well as very strong winds. How will that affect the weather today? Those storms laid out outflow boundaries that may trigger more storms this afternoon and evening across the region.

Coverage of these storms remain a bit in question though, due to lack of mid level forcing in the atmosphere. However, if a storm can get going, it will have a lot of instability to work with. CAPE values this afternoon will be well in excess of 3,000 J, meaning a very unstable atmosphere. For this reason, the Storm Prediction Center has placed our region under a “Slight” risk of severe weather. Torrential rainfall, vivid lightning, gusty winds, small hail, and isolated tornadoes are all threats today, in that order.

NAM Model Forecast Instability - Valid 4 PM - College of DuPage — NAM Model Forecast Instability – Valid 4 PM – College of DuPage

Storm Prediction Center Severe Weather Outlook - Valid Today - NOAA SPC — Storm Prediction Center Severe Weather Outlook – Valid Today – NOAA SPC

Thunderstorms are most likely during the late evening hours and into early overnight hours. These storms should wain in the late overnight hours to partly cloudy skies. The weak cold front will pass to the south of the region on Friday morning. Ridging will come in once more, leading to fair conditions.

NAM Model Forecast Surface Winds and Theta-e Values - Valid 7 AM Friday - College of DuPage — NAM Model Forecast Surface Winds and Theta-e Values – Valid 7 AM Friday – College of DuPage

A large southeast ridge will dominate the upper level of the atmosphere for the remainder of the forecast period, thus there is not much to talk about synoptically. A very small and compact shortwave rotating around a low level ridge may provide enough lift to spark a few showers and a rumble of thunder, however this shouldn’t be too widespread.

Extended Outlook

A series of troughs to the north of the region will send very weak cold fronts through the region early next week. This will send some rain chances our way Sunday through Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday, relief from the heat may be in sight as northwest upper level flow is noted on some models. So, stay tuned and see what happens!

That should wrap up this post. Be sure to follow @WxOrNotBG for the latest Bowling Green weather information. Have a great day!