If you woke up in Louisville this morning and thought the air felt a little "bitey," you aren't imagining things. January has finally decided to show up. Honestly, after some of the weirdly mild stretches we've had lately, this shift feels like a slap in the face from Mother Nature herself.
Basically, the weather for Louisville Kentucky today is a chaotic mix of "grab your heavy coat" and "maybe keep an umbrella in the car just in case." We are looking at a daytime high of 45°F, but don't let that number fool you. With the wind kicking up from the southwest at 12 to 13 mph, the "feels like" temperature is hovering much lower—around 36°F for most of the daylight hours. It's that specific kind of Kentucky cold that seep into your bones if you’re standing still for too long at a bus stop or walking the dog near Cherokee Park.
What Is Actually Happening Right Now?
Right now, the sky is mostly cloudy and looking pretty moody. The humidity is sitting at 42%, which is actually somewhat dry for us, but the real story is the transition coming later this afternoon.
We’ve got light rain on the menu for the rest of the day.
You’ve probably heard the rumors about snow, and yeah, they’re true, but it’s complicated. The National Weather Service and local folks like the WHAS11 crew are tracking a system that starts as liquid rain before the "big flip" happens. As the sun goes down and we lose what little warmth we had, that rain is expected to transition into a wintry mix and eventually straight-up snow.
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The Snow Situation: Should You Panic?
Kinda, but not really.
There is a 38% chance of snow during the day, which usually means flurries or those tiny ice pellets that bounce off your windshield. Tonight, that chance drops slightly to 28%. We aren't talking about a "bread and milk" emergency blizzard here. Most of the accumulation is expected to stay under an inch, maybe a dusting to a half-inch if you’re north of the I-64 corridor.
The real danger isn't the depth of the snow; it's the "flash freeze" potential.
The temperature is going to plummet to a low of 27°F tonight.
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When you combine leftover rain on the roads with dropping temperatures and 13 mph winds, you get slick spots. Black ice is the real villain in Louisville today. If you’re heading out to a game or a dinner in the Highlands tonight, just take it slow. Those bridges over the Ohio River and the overpasses on the Gene Snyder always freeze first. It's basically a law of physics at this point.
Why Is It So Windy?
The wind is coming from the southwest, which usually brings warmth, but today it’s just acting as a delivery service for a cold front. A UV index of 1 means you don't need to worry about a sunburn, but you definitely need a scarf. That 12 mph sustained wind makes 43°F feel like you’re standing in a walk-in freezer.
What Most People Get Wrong About January in Louisville
A lot of people think Louisville winters are just gray and wet. While that's often true, today is a perfect example of our "transitional" climate. We are literally sitting in the middle of a battle between southern moisture and Canadian air.
- The Humidity Factor: At 48% for the daily average, it’s not "wet" enough for a massive snowstorm, but it's just damp enough to make the cold feel heavier.
- The Timing: The rain-to-snow transition is the hardest thing for local meteorologists to pin down. A two-degree difference determines if you’re driving through a puddle or a slush fund.
- The Visibility: Even if we don't get much accumulation, those brief bursts of snow showers can drop visibility to near zero for a few minutes.
What You Should Do Today
If you have errands to run, do them before 4:00 PM. The transition to a wintry mix is much more likely as we lose the daylight.
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Check your tire pressure. Cold snaps like this always trigger those annoying "low pressure" sensors on your dashboard because the air inside the tire contracts. It’s a 5-minute fix at the gas station that saves you a headache later.
Also, if you have outdoor pets, today is the day to bring them in or heavily insulate their shelters. A 27°F low with a wind chill in the teens isn't something to mess around with, even for "winter" breeds.
Actionable Next Steps
- Layers are your best friend: Wear a moisture-wicking base layer if you're going to be outside; the light rain will make you damp, and the wind will do the rest.
- Check the radar at 5:00 PM: This is when the transition from rain to snow is most likely to start hitting the metro area.
- Salt your walkways tonight: Don't wait until tomorrow morning to find out your porch is a skating rink. A little salt now prevents a fall when the temp hits 27°F tonight.
- Watch the wind: If you’re driving a high-profile vehicle on I-65, keep both hands on the wheel. Those 13 mph gusts can be pushy.
The weather for Louisville Kentucky today is essentially a reminder that winter is a marathon, not a sprint. We’ve got cold temperatures and bitter wind chills lingering into the weekend, so keep the heavy gear by the front door.