Good Wednesday, everyone. We have rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms rumbling across the region today. This is bringing the potential for high winds and hail to go along with the possibility of heavy rains that can cause high water issues. It’s the start of the stormy setup we’ve been talking about.
As mentioned, today’s thunderstorms come at us in waves from the west and northwest. These storms may contain large hail and damaging winds. Here’s the Severe Weather Outlook for the day from the SPC…
Storms will also put down a ton of rain in a short amount of time and this may cause flash flooding issues to develop.
The rounds of showers and storms will continue through the rest of the week and into the upcoming weekend. No, it’s not going to rain constantly and you will have many dry hours to work with, but the overall pattern looks stormy. The local flash flood threat continues through the weekend and into Monday. Overall, several inches of rain will be possible through this time.
Beyond the storms comes another shot of cooler than normal air…
I have you all set to track today’s strong to severe thunderstorms…
Possible Watch Areas
Have a wonderful Wednesday and take care.
I hope the cool pans out after the rain we do not need.
Here it comes….heavy rain in Harlan. Thankfully, the upper ground is dry due to low rainfall for the last several weeks, so it will take a lot down this way for flooding. Worst threat here, however, is flash flooding due topography which can happen quickly with repeat storms. Hopefully, no one gets damage from flash flooding this week!
Currently at 0 75 inches of rain so far
Hopefully, we will have some long extended dry periods during the days that it rains.
There always a need to be outside performing maintenance.
Wonder if the rain and cloudy this morning will cut back on instability for severe storms this afternoon?
It may be that as long as any sunshine occurs later, there’s at least a chance. As others have said before, there’s not always a volatile situation when sunshine happens if ingredients like lift and instability are lacking. But moisture is one of many needed ingredient for severe storms and this morning’s rains providing low level moisture may be a big factor, followed by today’s sun.
On a side note, I had thought the infamous April 3 1974 tornado outbreak (about a decade before I was born) was an exception to the apparent “rule” that storms in the south can hinder severe weather further north. This m-a-s-s-i-v-e outbreak stretched from Georgia and Alabama up to Michigan, even into Canada.
But when I looked more closely, the first tornadoes hit Illinois and Indiana. Only then did tornadoes generally pop up further south in Kentucky, Tennessee, then to the Deep South. Like most things in weather, it’s probably more complicated than that. In some cases beyond my knowledge to explain, t-storms can form regardless of conditions further south and even at night when there is of course no sun causing instability. A few notable F4/F5 twisters have occurred around 2am-5am.
Enhanced risk area just north and west of Kentucky…still slight risk for our region. It does have that “feel” out there for severe weather later today.
Scanner reports of several trees down in the Lafayette IN area, some blocking area roadways
Louisville and Bardstown among a few in Kentucky under T’storm Watch till 11 tonight
Radar is exploding now to your NW. Looks like a decent storm chance in a few hours more hours for you and most of Central KY!
Had a few t-showers this morning. It’s been largely sunny and hot/humid since.
My home thermometer says 94, Nashville’s dew point 68, so heat index of 99. Still better than wind chills in the teens (although my wife would disagree) 🙂 .
Didn’t see any forecasts of Upper 80’s for a high in Lexington today, but that’s where we are. 87 as of 5:00
A 72 mph gust at Covington last hour