Stormy start to the week...Nice Tuesday ahead.

An upper level low with associated surface low moved to the northeast through parts of Illinois and Indiana Monday afternoon/evening.  Thunderstorms developed ahead of the approaching cold front as storms strengthened while producing heavy rains, gusty winds, and hail.  Mostly pea to dime size hail was reported across southern Indiana and central Kentucky where some spots received enough hail to turn the ground white or even caused piles or drifts of hail to form.  A few locations did receive severe hail of 1 inch in diameter. Along with severe hail reports, heavy rainfall seemed to be the other threat from the storms that impacted the region.  Heaviest rainfall occurred over parts of Central and South-Central Kentucky where recorded rainfall amounts ranged from 0.50 - 1.00 inch.  

Louisville NWS  24-hour Precipitation through Tuesday am, December 18, 2012.

Top Photo: 1'' Hail in SW Scott County, KY.
Bottom Photo: Pea-size Hail in NE Louisville Metro.
(Reports and Images from Louisville NWS)

Once the front tracked through the region by late afternoon, early evening hours on Monday, slightly cooler and gusty conditions prevailed.  Cloud cover continued to diminish throughout  the evening and overnight hours leaving a cooler, but windy Monday night.  

Looking ahead for Tuesday, clouds should continue to clear out by morning hours leading to mostly sunny skies with highs reaching the low to mid 50's, especially west of I-65.  A weak ripple in the WNW upper level flow will pass just to the north of our area tonight with little impact on the weather.  Effects could tighten the the southwest gradient as the region remains near the external boundary of the surface high over the deep south.  This will help keep overnight temperatures slightly above average with lows projected in the upper 30's to around 40 degrees.  

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Wednesday: Mostly Sunny skies. High near 65ºF. South winds 10 - 15 mph. 

Wednesday night: Expect increasing clouds with showers and possibly a thunderstorm after   midnight.  Low: 55 ºF. Breezy conditions expected with south winds 15-20 mph.

Thursday: Showers likely before 9am, then scattered showers through the early afternoon hours. Cloudy conditions expected with gradual clearing by evening hours.  Breezy, with a south wind 20-25 mph. 

Forecaster: Chris Johnson