Good Wednesday, folks. It’s another active weather day across Kentucky with rounds of strong to severe storms rumbling into the region. These storms will pack damaging winds and even the potential for a tornado or two.
Let’s hit the headlines right out of the gate:
- Warm and unstable air is in place across the state today. Areas of eastern Kentucky may see temps in the 85-90 degree range this afternoon.
- A few strong to severe storms develop and move into western Kentucky during the early afternoon hours.
- That severe threat then moves eastward into central Kentucky by the late afternoon and early evening hours.
- Damaging winds, large hail and a tornado or two will be possible. The greatest risk area is across central and western Kentucky.
- Non-thunderstorm winds will be a player again today. Gusts of 40mph-50mph can’t be ruled out.
- I’m also watching for a second round of heavy rain producing showers and storms to impact parts of south central and southeastern Kentucky. Some 2″-3″ amounts may show up in a few spots. That would be enough to cause some issues.
As far as today’s Severe Weather Outlook goes. The Storm Prediction Center continues to target our region…
Damaging wind is the primary threat…
The tornado threat is much lower, but it’s still there…
Some of these storms may also contain large hail…
In terms of the tornado threat, the short range models are showing some rotating storms across the region…
The NAM is really trying to ramp up that heavy rain threat I mentioned. It’s showing some hefty totals in a narrow corridor…
Chilly showers linger into Thursday across eastern Kentucky. Temps may struggle to get to 50 for some areas with readings in the mid and upper 50s for those with some sun.
Friday is a day where clouds and sun do battle. Temps range from the middle 50s to low 60s. I’m toying with the idea of a shower getting into the southeast at some point Friday or S
I will drop by for another update later today and will be on WKYT-TV with the very latest on the severe storms. As always, I leave you with your severe weather tracking tools…
Current watches
Possible Watch Areas
Make it a wonderful Wednesday and take care.
There are some major differences between the storm system approaching our area today, when compared to the recent series of systems. CAPE values drop off sharply as the line of storms approaches the I-65 corridor, and the same applies to shear values. Both of these factors will help minimize the possibility for tornadoes, and a decline in lapse rates in the same area should lower hail possibilities considerably. Another major difference, whereas previous systems barreled through here like freight trains, this system will slow down as it approaches the I-65 corridor, which increases the tendency for storms to train over one area, which could seriously increase flash flood chances.
At least the strongest Storms will occur in the daylight hours and in midweek, so that’s a change from the past few times when they occured in the early morning hours of Saturday mornings. Hoping it will be just one short event. Stay safe everyone !!!
A strong line of storms which has prompted numerous Severe Thunderstorm Warnings is moving through IL from west to east, heading for the Chicago Metro Area. The line is moving very quickly at over 60 MPH.
Temperatures are amazingly warm, around 70 degrees across the entire area.
Right now Mike, looks like on the radar the line of severe weather has past your area.
It’s 75 degrees here in Maple with partly Sunny skies and dewpoints in the 60’s. The fuel is there for severe weather outbreaks. Still hoping the line of Storms weakens as it moves into Kentucky, but the non-thunderstorm winds have me concerned.
If I keep my power I will call it a win.
How long can the various power companies keep repairing the down lines and damaged transformers ? Also I would think the insurance companies would be overwhelmed with claims throughout the country with these weekly Storm events.
The severe weather threat is over for the Chicago area… the storms weakened as they moved eastward and are now in Indiana. No severe weather occurred in the Chicago area ( a far cry from what happened last Friday). It’s just going to be a windy and cooler day now.
I’m always a little anxious when there is severe weather around, but since I broke my foot on Sunday and I’m not very mobile, my anxiety is in the enhanced category. I hope it weakens and we all get through this one with little or no damage or loss of power.
Don’t worry Dottie. Sorry to here you broke your foot. I know how you feel. Since my stroke a year ago I have trouble getting around and I like to work outside, but I’m afraid of falling. Take care and stay safe.