Good Friday to one and all. A major severe weather outbreak for a large chunk of the country kicks off today and lasts into Saturday. While Kentucky won’t see the worst of this, we will still be dealing with severe storms, high winds and local flash flooding issues.
TODAY
- Temps surge into the 75-80 degree range under mostly sunny skies.
- Winds crank from the southwest with gusts reaching 30mph-40mph by late in the afternoon across the west.
FRIDAY NIGHT
- Lines of strong to severe storms rumble into western Kentucky late Friday evening through the wee hours of Saturday.
- That line of storms then pushes eastward into central Kentucky and weakens by sunup Saturday
- The greatest threat for severe storms is across western and parts of central Kentucky.
- Damaging winds and a few tornadoes are possible in the west.
- With or without storms, wind gusts of 50mph or greater may be noted.
SATURDAY
- Our cold front moves into western Kentucky and slows down.
- Low pressure develops along this to our southwest and rides northeastward along it.
- This brings the potential for rounds of strong to severe storms to central and eastern Kentucky especially.
- Damaging winds are the main player with these storms but I can’t rule out isolated tornadoes.
- With or without storms, winds may gust to 50mph or greater at times.
- Significant wind damage is possible late Saturday afternoon and evening.
- These storms may also be big rainmakers in streaks. Local flash flooding is a good bet with the greatest potential across central Kentucky Saturday evening.
A Wind Advisory is out for most of the region today and is just one of many hazards this storm system is bringing to our region…
The Storm Prediction Center continues to highlight western Kentucky with the Enhanced to Moderate Risk for severe storms this evening into the wee hours of Saturday…
The tornado risk continues to be elevated across western Kentucky with a MUCH lower threat as these storms work to the east…
The damaging wind threat is way up there in the west…
As is the chance for large hail…
This brings us to Saturday and what is likely to be a major outbreak of severe storms and tornadoes across the south. We find ourselves on the northern edge of this…
Here’s the Kentucky view of Saturday’s Severe Weather Outlook from the Storm Prediction Center…
While the main threat for tornadoes is to our south, the chance is there for a few tornadoes to spin up across Kentucky. There’s the Saturday Tornado Outlook from the SPC…
The damaging wind threat continues to be the top dog…
Some of the storms may also spit out quarter-sized hail or a little larger. Here’s the Severe Hail Outlook from the SPC…
I’ll drop by for updates later today. Until then, I have you all set to track today’s severe weather coming in from the west…
Current watches
Possible Watch Areas
Make it a great Friday and take care.
I predict tomorrow won’t be terrible because the deep south storms will take up a lot of energy. Still windy, but not as much severe weather.
Much of IL is in the Moderate Risk area for severe weather tonight, while here in the Chicago Metro Area, we are in the Enhanced Risk area.
South winds are gusting well over 30 MPH under sunny skies this afternoon as temps soar to near record levels, close to 80 degrees.