Severe weather coming to KY next 2 nights. Friday’s storm expected to be strongest
Kentucky is expected to get severe weather Thursday and Friday evening, with Friday night’s storm projecting to be the strongest, according to the National Weather Service.
Thursday night’s storm is projected to develop southwest of Kentucky and weaken as it travels to the commonwealth, according to the NWS. The western half of the state is under the slight risk zone (2 out of 5) for severe weather, while the eastern half of the state, including Lexington, is under the marginal risk zone (1 out of 5).
If the storm maintains intensity when it arrives in Kentucky, though, large hail, damaging winds and a possible tornado are all possible. The NWS said the storm is projected to move into the area between 7 p.m. and midnight.
NWS forecasters said the main threat is large hail, and there is a low but non-zero risk for locally damaging winds or tornadoes.
Another wave of storms may develop between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., but confidence in that system is lower, according to the NWS.
Friday’s storm is projected to be severe. The western half of the state is under the moderate risk zone (4 out of 5) for severe weather, while the eastern half of the state, including Lexington, is under the enhanced risk zone (3 out of 5), according to the NWS.
The hazards in play for Friday’s storm are damaging winds, large hail, potentially strong tornadoes and torrential rainfall, according to the NWS. There is also a small chance for localized flash flooding, but the main threats are the hazards.
The severe storms are expected to arrive in Western Kentucky around 3 p.m. and travel west, according to the NWS. The storm is forecast to be over Lexington between 6 to 9 p.m.
NWS forecasters said Friday’s storm threat is dependent on how quickly the atmosphere can recover from Thursday night and Friday morning’s convection — the vertical transport of heat and moisture in the atmosphere. NWS officials and Gov. Andy Beshear encouraged people to stay alert and prepare for severe weather.
“More severe weather is expected Friday across the state with hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall and the possibility of strong tornadoes,” Beshear said in a post on X. “Please have your alerts on and stay safe, everyone.”
