Forecasters at the National Weather Service are closely tracking a potential severe weather event set to impact the Louisville area on the night of December 28. The primary concern is strong wind gusts exceeding 40 mph associated with a “thin line of rain showers” expected to hit Louisville between 9 p.m. and midnight.
As temperatures are predicted to drop significantly—from a warm 72 degrees at 6 p.m. to around 33 degrees by 6 a.m. on December 29—the weather service has issued a marginal risk for severe weather in Louisville. This classification represents the lowest risk category. In contrast, Jasper, Indiana, along with northern Orange and Washington counties, faces a slight risk, indicating a greater potential for severe conditions. Storm activity is anticipated in southern Indiana between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
While cities such as Lexington, Frankfort, and Bowling Green in Kentucky are not under any severe weather warnings, they can expect gusty winds and rain overnight.
To prepare for the wind conditions, a wind advisory has been issued for Louisville and parts of central Kentucky and southern Indiana, effective from 6 p.m. on December 28 until 7 a.m. on December 29. Officials have warned that these gusty winds could cause unsecured objects to blow around, with tree limbs potentially being downed and isolated power outages occurring.
Localized damaging winds could reach speeds of 60 mph or more in Louisville during the evening hours, particularly from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. on December 29. The weather service has noted that the unusually warm temperatures, which will peak in the mid to low 70s on the afternoon of December 28, will give way to colder conditions overnight. The following day is forecasted to see high temperatures only in the 30s, with wind chills dipping into the teens on December 29 and potentially reaching single digits on December 30.
The swift transition from warm to cold temperatures underscores the dynamic weather patterns often experienced in late December, reminding residents to stay vigilant and prepared for rapidly changing conditions.