More severe storms are headed for Kentucky Tuesday. Here’s what to know
The commonwealth is bracing for more severe weather as weather experts predict another round of potentially damaging storm systems Tuesday evening.
Severe weather is expected to impact most of Kentucky, beginning in the western part of the state around 2 p.m. and creeping east throughout the day and into the evening, according to the National Weather Service.
Damaging winds, hail, heavy rain and tornadoes are possible across the state, according to the NWS. All of eastern Kentucky, including Laurel County which was hit by tornadoes over the weekend, are under a tornado watch through 8 p.m. Tuesday, according to WKYT Chief Meteorologist Chris Bailey.
Multiple waves of storms are possible from the late morning into the afternoon, with the first wave expected around 11 a.m. That system could create pockets of damaging wind and brief, spin-up tornadoes.
But the second storm system, projected to hit Western Kentucky around 2 p.m., has a higher probability of having a severe impact with “all hazards in play,” according to the NWS.
That storm will head east late Tuesday afternoon, hitting Central Kentucky around 6 p.m. and Eastern Kentucky around 8 p.m.
Many of the areas hit hard by deadly tornadoes Friday night, including Laurel, Pulaski and Russell counties, are at enhanced risk of severe storms Tuesday evening.
The enhanced risk zone stretches north through much of the Interstate 64 corridor and includes Fayette, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Woodford counties, extending to Eastern Kentucky. Several counties are also under a flood watch Tuesday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service.
These same counties are of particular concern for risk of tornadoes, according to a resource called Nadocast, a tornado forecasting model often cited by meteorologists. A large portion of Central and Eastern Kentucky counties is at a 15% chance or higher of experiencing a tornado.
Gov. Andy Beshear advised Kentuckians — still reeling from deadly tornadoes over the weekend — to have their phones charged, weather alerts on, and a plan to shelter.
Weather radios will not work due to updates at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Beshear said. People who rely on radios for weather information will need to use an alternative alert system for Tuesday’s severe weather.
Kentuckians are still working to clean up deadly damage that ravaged southeastern Kentucky Friday night. One tornado touched down in Russell County, and a stronger one touched down in Laurel County. At least 19 people died in the storms.
This story was originally published May 20, 2025 at 8:43 AM.
