National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

The mission of the National Weather Service (NWS), under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and under the Department of Commerce (DOC), is to protect the life and property of our citizens from natural disasters by issuing warnings and forecasts for all manners of severe or extreme weather and to enhance the national economy. This mission is carried out by weather offices and national centers located throughout the U.S. and its territories, along with a highly trained staff of dedicated men and women.

From day-to-day weather forecasts, to warnings of potentially dangerous storms, the National Weather Service will be there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Our office issues public forecasts and severe weather warnings and watches for Central Kentucky and ten counties in Southern Indiana. We maintain a constant vigil, issue routine forecasts and climatic information, and if threatening weather approaches, issue warnings and special statements as necessary.  Other NWS offices in or near Kentucky have local warning and forecast responsibility for surrounding areas.

Office history including historical locations and photos.

Located at the northern edge of the South and the southern edge of the Midwest, Louisville’s central location puts it within a day’s drive of half the nation’s population. At the intersection of three major interstates, I-64, I-71 and I-65, the city is directly connected to such communities as: Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Nashville, St. Louis, Chicago, Columbus, Cleveland, Birmingham, Richmond and Norfolk.

Louisville also is a city with a rich history being founded by George Rogers Clark in 1778. It is named for King Louis XVI of France.

All photos in this section are courtesy of Greater Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Festivals and Events

Louisville is home to some of the most exciting and unique festivals and events in the country. You see the premieres of the newest plays by America’s cutting-edge playwrights, or see sports history being made by a Kentucky Derby winner or experience rural charm at a state fair. Actors Theatre of Louisville hosts the Humana Festival of New American Plays every year in March and April. The Kentucky Derby is the most legendary horse race in the world and the pageantry and tradition of this annual rite of spring is celebrated every May. The Kentucky Derby Festival is a two-week extravaganza of community events and parties that culminate in the “run for the roses.” Beatle fans from all over the world converge on Louisville in May for Abbey Road on the River, the largest Beatles festival in the world. Summer welcomes the Street Rod Nationals, the world’s largest participation automotive event, and the Kentucky State Fair, one of the largest fairs in the country. All eyes turn upward in the fall for the Adam Matthews Balloon Festival in September. Winter ushers in the holidays, and the city twinkles with the holiday spirit when the lights of the season are lit at Light Up Louisville in November. All of Louisville’s arts venues honor the season with annual productions, and the mayor of the city welcomes the New Year with the Mayor’s New Year’s Eve Party. These are just a small sampling of the myriad of events that Louisville has to offer.

Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Derby Festival – Louisville hosts a significant number of outdoor festivals and events annually, but the city is most recognized as the home of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Derby Festival, which includes Thunder Over Louisville, North America’s largest annual pyrotechnics display.

Housing

The Louisville area offers a good range of housing and is considered one of the most affordable in the United States. At The Greater Louisville Association of Realtors web site, you search for properties to buy. The availability and cost of housing is a significant plus for the Louisville area. Census statistics

Climate

In Louisville, one can experience four unique seasons a year. The climate in the Louisville area is characterized by warm, humid Summers and cool Winters with considerable cloudiness. Snowfall averages 16.0 inches per year but is highly variable, ranging in recent years from a low of 0.9 inches(2.29 cm) in 1988-89 to a high of 50.1 inches (127.25 cm) in 1977-78. The average annual precipitation is 42.97 inches, with monthly averages varying from 2.59 inches (6.58 cm) in October to 4.50 inches (11.43 cm) in March. The average low temperature in January is 24 degress fahrenheit (-4.4°C) with an average high of 41 degrees fahrenheit (5°C). In July the average high is 88 degrees fahrenheit (31.1°C) and the average low is 68 degrees fahrenheit (20°C). The passage of winter cold fronts sometimes brings a period of cold weather: the lowest January temperature in recent years was -20°F (28.8°C) in 1963. Louisville's elevation is 466 feet (142 m) above sea level.

Recreation

Although Louisville doesn't have any major professional sports teams, many citizens support the professional teams from Indianapolis or Cincinnati. Louisville is home to the Triple AAA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, the Louisville Bats. They play their games at Slugger Field in downtown Louisville. The University of Louisville sports teams (national champions in men's basketball twice during the 1980's) attract a large following, as do the University of Kentucky and Indiana University. Louisville is very passionate about collegiate sports. The focus of the performing arts in Louisville is the Kentucky Center for the Arts which opened in 1983: the Center includes two theaters. There are a large number of additional cultural attractions, including the Louisville Ballet, Louisville Orchestra, Kentucky Opera, and Actors Theatre. Newcomers are generally happy with the wide variety of high-quality cultural attractions. Since Louisville is home to Churchill Downs, it's not surprising that horse racing is also a popular attraction. The Metro Parks system includes 10,507 acres at 188 different sites. The Louisville area is also home to many museums including the Louisville Science Center, Kentucky Derby Museum, Frazier International History Museum, Speed Art Museum, Falls of the Ohio State Park Interpretive Center, and the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. Louisville is also home to a large zoo. For golf lovers, Louisville is home to numerous municipal and private courses.The 2008 Ryder Cup was hosted in Louisville at Valhalla Golf Club. Louisville is also home to the Louisville Extreme Park, a public skatepark.With these options and more, Louisville residents are provided with a full array of recreational opportunities.

Educational Facilities

The Louisville area offers a good selection of high-quality public, private, and parochial schools. There are a large number of colleges and universities in the area, including two theological seminaries (Presbyterian and Southern Baptist). The largest university is the University of Louisville which offers degrees from the baccalaureate through the doctoral level in a variety of fields. The University of Louisville has a large medical complex with a Medical School, Dental School, and Nursing School. Right across the river from Louisville in New Albany, Indiana there is a regional satellite campus of Indiana University (Indiana University Southeast) which offers degrees from both Indiana University and Purdue University. Students living in the Louisville area are eligible for in-state tuition from Indiana University Southeast. Louisville is also home to numerous other small colleges.

Transportation

The Transit Authority of River City (TARC) offers bus transportation throughout the area. These buses serve all of downtown and Jefferson County as well as parts of surrounding counties in Kentucky and Indiana. The extensive highway system in the area enables automobile traffic to move slowly, so that lengthy commutes and major traffic jams are rare. Louisville International Airport (SDF) is just 7 miles/10 minutes from downtown. Serviced by 12 carriers the airport offers an average of 100 daily departures with non-stop or direct service to 68 destinations in 28 states plus Mexico, Canada and the District of Columbia. Louisville International Airport is the fifth-busiest air cargo facility in the United States and the tenth busiest in the world.

Taxes

Kentucky imposes a 6% sales tax on all items other than food and medicine. The city-county income tax is assessed at 2.2 percent of gross income (no exceptions or deductions). The Commonwealth of Kentucky income tax ranges from 2-6 percent of taxable income depending on income level. Real estate is taxed at about 1.1 percent of assessed value, with assessments closely linked to the true market price.

Educational Facilities

Lexington is home to two main colleges, Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky. There are also numerous smaller non-traditional colleges.

Recreation

With many equestrian themed attractions, Lexington lives up to its title as the Horse Capitol of the World. Located in Lexington is the Kentucky Horse Park. Lexington is also home to the Keeneland and The Red Mile horse racing tracks. Lexington has also been selected to be the site of the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games.

Festivals and Events

Lexington is home to many different festivals and events. Each June Lexington hosts the Festival of the Bluegrass. Lexington is also home to the Rolex Three Day Event, an annual horse competition. Lexington also hosts a large downtown Fourth of July celebration .