Good afternoon, everyone. Our front is moving into Kentucky and slamming on the brakes, leading to a major temperature gradient to go along with showers and storms. This front hangs tough for the better part of the next 5 days, leading to a significant flood threat.
The temps out there today are amazing. As of this writing, we are near 80 in parts of eastern Kentucky with upper 30s showing up across the west. That’s a big old case of WOW!
I have no changes in the overall setup of the heavy rain potential rolling forward. All modes of flooding are likely through Sunday.
I would like to say I’m baffled at the Flood Watch not being expanded for the rest of Kentucky, but I’ve almost come to expect it from some of our NWS offices. As of this update, no additional counties have been added in northern, northeastern and southeastern Kentucky…
There is no excuse for not a watch not being issued by now. None. The areas not included in the watch are the very areas hardest hit by flooding over the past week or so. Thunderstorms this evening may even target southern and southeastern Kentucky, bringing a local flash flood threat.
In addition to the flood threat, the potential is there for strong or severe storms. We need to watch the Friday setup, but the Saturday afternoon and night setup stands out more…
Here are your tracking toys for the afternoon…
I will have the latest on WKYT starting at 4pm and will update things on KWC later this evening. Make it a good one and take care.
This could get nasty
#TeamSpring
Thanks Chris. We’ve had some hard rain today but not constant so that’s a plus. Maybe we’ll get a watch issued for our area by this evening. Have a great afternoon all.
I’ve just had a few drops at my house
Kind of odd, seeing the rain breakup as it crosses into WV. That usually only happens with snow.
Southeast ridge is the cause.
This current weather pattern is nothing to write home about. It’s not that bad. It’s just mid to late winter rains which is not unusual for the Ohio River Valley. What we should be studying is why the weather models are wrong most of the time.
I’m projecting at least 3″ rain for your area in Taylor county through Saturday. According to the Mesonet site, parts of Taylor county have seen over 5″ this month, not counting today’s rainfall. So, at least 8″ will have accumulated for the month after this weekend. That’s not typical winter rains. Even if models overdo it just a bit, a general 2-5″ statewide is a real possibility, and it will exacerbate flooding along many river systems. It may not be a good idea to pick against the models this time. Hopefully, you live on a hill, because if you were living in a flood prone area, I guarantee that you would be singing a different tune.
Taylor County has different micro climates, due to elevation. Why a flash flood watch is issued for this county puzzles me. The entire county is located on the Mississippi Plateau.
You’re crazy! We just had two days in a row of record heat including the hottest February day ever for several Kentucky cities in more than 100 years of records. The Ohio River and Licking River are both out of their banks here in Covington and our 3-5+” of rain are just starting. Quite a lot to put in a letter!
#TEAMWARM&DRY
Models may not show it but crashing nap leads to trouble. I have seen big Daddys when nap crashes. I find this pattern exciting.
Henry Margusity
Usually when somebody crashes my nap there is big trouble 😉