5:30pm Update
Good evening gang. It has been a quiet afternoon across the state, but that is about to change. A line of tornadic storms is crossing out of Missouri and Arkansas and will move into western Kentucky in the next few hours.
The atmosphere in this part of the state is primed for tornadoes… some of which may be violent. PLEASE stay advised of the latest warnings and I will likely take the blog live at some point this evening as we track the storms across Kentucky.
Follow my twitter feed too. Take care.
2:10pm Update
A new TORNADO WATCH is now out for northern Kentucky until 9pm EDT. This watch includes the Covington and Maysville areas. Here is a look at the watch outline and the latest warnings…
More updates as needed. Take care.
Good Wednesday afternoon everyone. A MAJOR severe weather event is about to unfold across the state of Kentucky and this will likely bring damaging tornadoes to the commonwealth. This is a DANGEROUS situation through this evening and into the overnight hours.
A PDS Tornado Watch has been issued for much of central and western Kentucky until 10pm EDT. The PDS stands for Particularly Dangerous Situation. Here is the watch outline and the latest warnings…
In addition to tornadoes… damaging winds and large hail will be likely with the storms that move across the region.
I do expect this watch to be issued farther eastward at some point late this afternoon or this evening.
The Storm Prediction Center has a rare HIGH RISK for severe storms for much of the state…
Current Watches
Possible Watch Areas
Track the storms here…
I will have updates as needed and will send out quick thoughts and warnings via twitter. Follow me here: Kentuckyweather or follow along in the twitter feed on the right side of the blog.
Have a great rest of your Wednesday and take care.
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Thank you for the updates Chris. Hang onto your hat.
So, will tomorrow be a better day for travel from Destin to BG? Today appears to be unfolding in a horrible manner! Will tomorrow be the same?
Indices are absolutely insane. CAPE is 3000 j/kg, LI’s are very high, shear is high. This is looking ver historic for those of you west of I-75. I think SPC will issue high risk for a lot more of coy later.
It looks like tomorrow will NOT be as bad from what I can tell….But still slight risk for severe. You may have to dodge storms on your way there. This has been a terrible spring but at the same time I don’t think I’ve ever seen my yard look so good. Here’s to hoping nobody gets damage.
Good job Chris. I hope everyone takes heed. The ONLY parameter not perfect is the weak upper flow. Otherwise, we’ve got a historic outbreak on our hands (again). This is SERIOUS.
You mean, hang onto your house. Right?
No one is mentioning the eastern part of the state in any of these watches. What are your thoughts on it extending farther east or is the system moving north along I-75
Coy should be cky
This is not looking for areas west of I-75 man. Not good
All my family is in extreme Western KY around Paducah and Murray… I’m very worried.
OK, everybody, join with me: Snowdome, become a tornado dome. Snowdome, become a tornado dome.
Make sure your loved ones from I-75 west are keeping informed.
I usually don’t get too worked up over storm forecasts, but after seeing what has happened to so many people this spring, I am terribly concerned for later today.
This has been an absolutely extreme weather year, starting from about last Thanksgiving. When will we catch a break and just have some “normal” weather around here??? These storms today are making me very nervous. 🙁
Ok, so lets get serious here.
Those of you who get excited over severe weather, please don’t overhype things or get people worked up needlessly… there are people here who fear storms, who have small children they need to protect, who have elderly they are worried about, who have had traumatics with previous tornados, or who have trailers… so everyone stay serious here and lets only have the bare truth today, and if there is an upside or any light in the darkness please add that too– cause this is seriously scaring the hell out of me for my 3 small kiddos, and all I have read are comments that will cause crazy fear about tonight–and I don’t need any more added to it out of someone’s adrenaline rush over severe weather or for better ratings for their blog or website— not saying anybody is doing this right now— just want to ask PLEASE DON’T, not now…
Can anyone answer this question– is Hardin County in a bad spot this time?
Do I need to drive the hell out of here right now?
Thanks.
Ok, so lets get serious here.
Those of you who get excited over severe weather, please don’t overhype things or get people worked up needlessly… there are people here who fear storms, who have small children they need to protect, who have elderly they are worried about, who have had traumatics with previous tornados, or who have trailers… so everyone stay serious here and lets only have the bare truth today, and if there is an upside or any light in the darkness please add that too– cause this is seriously scaring the heck out of me for my 3 small kiddos, and all I have read are comments that will cause crazy fear about tonight–and I don’t need any more added to it out of someone’s adrenaline rush over severe weather or for better ratings for their blog or website— not saying anybody is doing this right now— just want to ask PLEASE DON’T, not now…
Can anyone answer this question– is Hardin County in a bad spot this time?
Do I need to drive the heck up out of here right now?
Thanks.
ARRRRGGGGHHHHHHH MODERATION!!!!!
Can someone PLEASE say something positive today???? I am sick of all the fear mongering with this storm!!!!
How is it looking for the Scott/Fayette County areas?
No, it’s not. And west of I-65 you might as well find a hole in the ground to crawl into when this stuff blows through.
Will the Tornado Watch be extended to include Frankfort?
I agree. Same here!
Ummm but it’s a serious situation, haven’t you watched what has happened the last couple of days? I would rather have people scared so that they come up with a plan to protect their families lives then to do act like nothing bad is going to happen. Plan for the worst to happen and pray for nothing to happen. Unless you have Mother Natures email address and can find out whats going to happen.
The last comment was supposed to be for the comment above. Sorry
I HAVE been totally serious. This is bad, real bad. Tornadoes are already damaging our border states as I type this. Western KY is going to get hammered tonight. Period. I truly hope we do not see KY on the evening news tomorrow night, but it’s extremely possible. This is no joke. Just read the latest AFD from NWS Louisville. “Trying to find some bust potential here, but not seeing any”. Give it a few more hours…radar is going to light up like a Christmas tree.
I really didn’t need your holier than thou comments, but hey…. I hope you feel better now.
Not only have I watched what has happened in the past few days, but I have lived through several tornadoes in the Texas area….one in the bathtub with 2 babies— and I really don’t care to do it again, thank you very much. So don’t give me your elitist diatribe about rather having people terrified so they will plan— most intelligent rational people will plan when there is a ‘risk’ not overhyped fear-mongering. And I don’t need you to tell me what I ‘should’ be doing.
My comments were not to anger anyone or draw anyone’s bad mood reaction… but to get the overexcited people to stop and think about how they affect others before they ’embellish’… this is a serious situation and we need fact, not adrenaline.
Thanks for your concern though…
Dude, that comment was really not necessary.
That is the way it should be put. Better safe than sorry.
As you pointed out, most intelligent, rational people will make their own plans when there is a risk and not ask for discernment on a weather blog site, then verbally slam the poor soul who takes the time to give you the advice that you sought. Calm down, figure out where your county is on the map and watch the radar, and make your own decision about your families’ safety.
Unfortunately, this is a serious threat – probably about as serious as it gets in regards to severe weather for this area. For now, I’d say keep your guard up, as well as an eye on the radar (& weather outlets) to see where the storms do develop & the direction they’re headed in. Have a plan in place in the event that conditions look like they will or begin to deteriorate in your area.
First, I wasn’t being holier than thou
Second, I do feel better
Third, You of all people should know how dangerous this situation is if you went through them in a bathtub and I to hope you and no one else has to to do that.
Fourth, I never said anything about being terrified, I said scared, people should be somewhat scared.
Fifth, It’s not fear mongering when people might die today.
Sixth, I never told you what to do.
Seventh, Your comments didn’t anger me
Eight, If my comments effect you in that way, sorry.
Ninth, I never embellished
Tenth, I never acted on adrenaline, just fact that it is a serious situation, just like you said.
Eleventh, What the hell is an “Elitist Diatribe” any way, how my comments about the serious situation with weather can classify as an elitist diatribe, I have no idea.
Final, I think you might want to go to your safe place, take a chill pill, a couple of shots of booze, pass out and wake up after everything has passed. By the way how is WXman comments up top not needed?
Will these cells hold together into EKY or should they die down some….I’d just like to know to be safe tonight 🙂
So, if noone comes for information from a weather blog or site, they why are you here? Ridiculous statement.
And excuse me, I didn’t ask for advice, I asked for FACTS (There is a difference, but I guess you over looked that.) without embellishment or an adrenaline rush so that I COULD make a decision for my family.
ANd in case you didnt notice, he came at me with a condescending comment to my post….but yet its me you jump on? But I guess you overlooked that too.
Don’t bother commenting back. I’ll stick to reading the information until later when the informative, regular posters come in with good information.
I’m wondering the same here in Johnson and its especially scary that by the time these cells reach us, it’ll be into the night….ANYONE HAVE ANY THOUGHTS?
Co-worker of mine has a brother who got caught in a 18-wheeler on a Missouri interstate a couple of hours ago- had to abandon the truck and the truck took a direct hit with a tornado out there. He could not outrun it and nowhere to go. Storms generally do not get me “worked up”…I just get prepared and aware. I must say this season has me a bit frazzled.
Now that I have young children it is a little more anxiety filled. Any idea when central ky (fayette,mercer,boyle, jessamine) may be hit with more severe weather? Are we talking another middle of the night-time event for our area? Just read where NWS LMK stated it is moving in faster than originally expected?
Thanks Chas.
A lot of times I ask and get no answer so at least you got an answer….not saying that to be mean but there are lots of us that want info as well. Not meant mean at all 🙂
What about eastern ky.
I respectfully disagree.
LOL 🙂
Depends on how you look at it I guess. I don’t consider those ‘answers’… but I get ya 😉
I want to know the same seeing as how the cells will arive here in the dark which is scary….any info is really appreciated 🙂
Fact#1 – You are under a Tornado Watch
Fact#2 – There is a squall line developing to your west.
Fact#3 – No one can tell you with absolute certainty if you will experience destructive weather at a given time.
Looks like storms arriving in Louisville between 8:30 and 9:30.
Will be losing daylight by then. Could make it even more serious.
My comments went to moderation, hopefully will be posted.
So you don’t think people should find a safe place underground?
Thanks MS.
Hate tornies, hate them even worse in the dark. Bleh.
Things defintely aren’t looking good, but they could be worse. I’ve seen cape values up over 5,000 before….and shear well into the 60-65 range. The LIs in western KY are one thing working FOR storm development…. living here near I-75….what I’d like to know is if the threat for tornadic storms will extend any further east than the current watch—-if this is to be an overnight event; maybe we will get some clarification on it in the next few hours….
That bad boy thunderstorm in southern Indiana right now has some of the highest radar returns I’ve seen in this area for a long time. Hail is plainly evident on standard radar alone…..
Well y’all can argue all you want. Bottom line is this is no joke and if one of these supercells blows through, you better find a hole in the ground to get into. Period. Radar is already looking scary and we haven’t even gotten started yet. I’d much rather tell people straight up how it is than have people thinking it’s just an everyday t-storm threat. I guarantee you I won’t be sleeping tonight. Bad things are going to happen.
Well said sir, I agree.
GOT to give a shout out to Chris for his spring season forecast. He pointed to this spring as having a TON of potential for severe weather and….well watch the news. Only problem is, you cant prepare for EF-5 tornadoes….I will NEVER build a house without a basement. Prayers sent to our friends….
I can’t make one of those cute smiley faces so I will just say…smile!
I also agree that people had better be watching the news or reading it here, and be prepared. I am glad we can check in here to get the latest.
Hail measuring 4 inches by 2.5 inches reported in St Louis. Tornado on ground in ellsinore MO, and Greenville MO, as well as Semi blown over in Greensburg IN, and several buildings destroyed.
Wowzers.
Watching tornado coverage online from a couple of stations to our west. These storms mean business folks. Pay attention to any warning issued tonight. Not saying this to scare ya, just saying to make sure you know these aren’t the typical thunderstorms we see.
Man moderation has been fierce lately. I think the last two of three comments I’ve posted have hit the Mod wall.
Yet you bash those listed above for stating bluntly how bad it’s probably going to be here later? Really?
Reporting facts that are actually happening, sir. As I read them. Not saying things like “better crawl in a hole”, “its gonna get really really bad” ” better not go to sleep tonight” “bad things are gonna happen” etc etc… which is what I was trying to ask people not to do.
Geez. But ok, I guess you needed to jump on someone. Go right ahead, used to it now. Fire away.
And yet, you beg for this weather all the time. Kinda sad, really.
I AGREE! I am the same way abt snow storms. Better be prepared and it not happen then not be prepared and regret it. Do you think these bad boys will make it to the Flatwoods/Ashland area? I live on a hill with alot of trees around my house and i have 3 young children in my house. I always keep an eye on the radar but didnt know if it should reach us here tonight! Any info or thoughts would be great. Thanks : )
Wxman what about our neck of the woods? Do you think that they’ll die down before they get here? This thing has got me worried.
Woah whats with all the drama in here today?
The combination of nerves and steady but gradual drop in barometric pressure the past few days…..
Unnecessary drama?
Now I feel better! 🙂
E-TownKY, not arguing with you but I don’t understand. Because YOU don’t want to hear those statements doesn’t mean OTHERS don’t. This is a public weather blog. Is Chris a fear-mongrel as well. Do you read his tweets up top? He has been saying the same things we have. 125+ people died the other day due to the same system, that is a fact, and although weather is unpredictable, it is a fact that people will die due to these storms. May not happen where you are but it will happen, fact. By the way whats wrong with saying it’s going to get bad? I think you might have said the same thing during the winter weather.
Any thoughts on what Lexington can expect for tonight?
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/md0968.html
I’m afraid it’s gonna be a long night…
Please storms, don’t interrupt the Dallas Mavs/Oklahoma City Thunder playoff game! lol
Right, sometimes you must simply act on instinct. If you feel that you need to take certain precautionary measures based on what you know about possible weather situations, what’s stopping you from doing so? 🙂
I think we might get woken up tonight. I don’t know for sure but it looks like it’s forming into a straight line out west of us. Not to say storms won’t pop up before the line gets here.
Not saying this is a bust at all, but I think this may not be as bad as the past two days. Really not seeing much supercell development in front of the main line (at least in KY). Seems like this will turn into a pretty intense squall line that will feature high winds, heavy rain, and maybe an occasional tornado. But the gloom and doom forecast of long track F3 + tornadoes looks iffy.
I don’t expect the severe threat to be nearly as bad here in East Ky. These squall lines typically stretch out and weaken by the time they make it here. Plus the air is drier here mid 50s where as its much juicier central and west ky.. just my .02 cents.
And..what a blessing that will be if this holds true!
Live chat begins at 8:30!! Something is going on for sure
Correction, 8:15
Hmmm live chat is as reliable as posting on here… i’ve sent in 2 posts and neither have hit the chat
Thank you for that.
Praying thats true.
Not arguing with you but….
LMAO.
What are you gonna do tonight, follow me around commenting on my every post or what?
Get a life. I explained myself, and you and others (probably you with diff names) twist it and attack me.
And please…Chris is stating fact from a professional’s standpoint, he’s not a wanna-be drooling while typing stuff designed to get everyone all riled up just so they can look important on a blog for 5 minutes.
Unecessary comment.
Any particular reason Lexington hasn’t even been put under a watch yet?
I have also posted on live chat and it isn’t going through. I’m desperately trying to find out if it will reach the Lincoln/Boyle counties. I can’t find anywhere where it says how close to us it will get?
The voice of reason calls it perfectly. Thank you again.