Good Thursday, everyone. Springtime temperatures are back in the bluegrass state today, but they’re also bringing along the potential for springtime thunderstorms. A few of these storms may even be strong or severe as a cold front swings through the Commonwealth.
The Storm Prediction Center has the much of the region in the Enhanced Risk area for severe storms:
Here’s a breakdown of the day:
- A line of showers and storms works across western Kentucky very early this morning, but should diminish before it gets too far into central Kentucky.
- Another line of storms will then develop across the west during the afternoon. That will roll eastward through the evening and could produce severe storms.
- The best threat for severe weather appears to be in central Kentucky.
- Damaging winds, large hail and a few tornadoes will be possible.
- Winds are going to be a huge player through tonight as gusts can reach 50mph at times. Some power issues may develop.
- Highs today should reach the 70s across the central and east. If we can get enough sun in the east, we may flirt with 80.
- The storms end quickly from west to east this evening as colder winds blow into town.
After all this, colder weather moves in for the weekend and that may produce a shower or two Friday evening. Saturday looks good, but another system dives in by Sunday night with some ugly weather.
I leave you with your Thursday storm tracking tools…
Current watches
Possible watch areas
Have a good one and take care.
The extended forecast is not too bad. It actually looks like we get quite a few dry and sunny days. Bring spring.
It is nice! The ground is still wetter than average but the water levels are getting close to normal now. It may not rain for much or at all in SE KY next week!
I wish we could just get the low pressure to tract to the east of the state so we wouldn’t have the severe weather threat. Dry line to our southwest looks to produce tornadoes. Scary part is no one knows where this event will take place. I would rather see a snowstorm today. Please no sunshine latter this afternoon as this adds fuel to the fire.
To late already have sunshine
Let’s skip spring and go into summer like temps. At least the rain will be warmer.
Wow, no tornado watch for western KY? Tornadic storm with hook echo in McCracken County and no watch. Did the SPS drop the ball or what?
Storms popping in WKY with a tornado watch until 4 PM CST.
My thoughts exactly Bryan.
Northwest Kentucky is now in a TORNADO WARNING !
The wind in Bardstown is absolutely HORRENDOUS!!! I mean, it was blowing earlier, but it just freakin’ picked up to where it sounds like my roof is going to go…I just went to tell my elderly neighbor across the street to watch if I let him know to go to his safe place and the wind about blew me over….my dogs are freakin’ out (and they ain’t “weenie’s”, neither!!!) (OK…one is a Weiner/Jack mix, a biter, but he’s afraid…the other is a Mountain Cur…she’s in a hallway…)School’s are closing early here, too, due to wx.
I’m just a few miles south of you and when I went down to get the mail I was almost blow away. This type of weather really scares me. Be glad when tomorrow comes just hope I have a home to live in.
We had 4 different tornado warnings here in Union.Co today. It’s was one wave after another 2 of them did touchdown but no damage as I know of. The tristate area here in Western, ky also got hit.
Highest non-thunderstorm winds at my house since 2008 (windstorm Ike)
What kind of wind gusts you getting?
60-65 mph gusts, again non-thunderstorm winds
Storms dissipating as they approach I-65 like usual. Rain south of the border stealing our thunder.
Who needs the storms when we already have severe-criteria gusts related to gradient winds
Just under a thousand customers in Nashville were without power earlier, now down to about 300. Power stayed on at the office and at the house, but Kudos in general to all power company staff ๐ . I’d hate to be way up in those bucket trucks with the wind roaring the way it is!
On this day in 1933 was a tornado outbreak that included an F4 which barely missed Jellico TN but then devastated Pruden TN (next to the KY line). The tornado was headed towards Middlesboro KY but fortunately the twister dissipated short of town (in May 1988, an F3 would make a direct hit on Middlesboro). Pruden was wiped out to the point that towns like Knoxville and Middlesboro had to send first responders whom were further delayed by narrow curvy roads through the mountains.
An F3 caused destruction in downtown Nashville as well (April 16 1998 was the other downtown Nashville twister). Yet another F3 brought heavy damage in Kingsport TN. Both the Pruden and Kingsport tornadoes traversed mountainous terrain with seemingly no trouble.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_1933_Nashville_tornado_outbreak
I barely remember the infamous Middlesboro tornado from 1988. I remember riding with my parents to tour the damage!
Are we getting this or what? Storm line looks like itโs tracking up the Western border? I am in Frankfort. Thoughts appreciated. Have an elderly neighbor to watch out for.
Also, my power went out about an hour and a half ago.
About 30 minutes ago, the Storm Prediction Center downgraded the severe threat from Enhanced to Slight for much of southern and central Kentucky (except along the Ohio River) and north central Tennessee. Seems to be decreasing instability in these areas.
Obviously still not a zero severe threat, though. As Chris Bailey and others have touched on, strong winds outside of t-storms will remain an issue.
Gotta love how the “Storm Chaser Radar” can zoom into street level at cities, towns and burgs, but when it’s near you and you click, it says “Location 1..2..3…” and nothing….
I meant, Cities, towns and burgs 200 MILES AWAY….
Pretty decent wind gusts in north Richmond, but other than that- wimpy stuff so far.
We had sprinkles here
Whopping 0.01 in Harlan so far. Basically a dead system down here due to both a SE wind shear, nighttime now and topography.
Barring a very late evening surprise, this could be one of the most bust storm forecasts yet. That would be a big win ๐
Winning..
Agreed.