Kentucky’s severe weather threat has shifted. Here’s what to know
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- NWS shifts Thursday slight-risk zone northward to areas near southern Indiana border.
- Many parts of Kentucky at marginal risk; hazards: hail, wind, isolated tornado.
- Cold front follows storms; highs ~37°F Sunday, flurries possible Saturday night.
Thursday’s severe weather threat for Kentucky has shifted slightly north in the past 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service.
Tuesday morning’s forecast put many northern areas of Western and Central Kentucky under a slight risk for severe weather. Wednesday morning’s forecast moved the slight risk zone north, and it now only includes areas close to the southern Indiana border.
Slight risk, which is the second-lowest risk out of five in the NWS’ storm prediction center outlook, implies that severe thunderstorms with varying levels of intensity are expected. Many more parts of the state, including Lexington, are at a marginal risk for severe weather, which implies severe storms of either limited intensity and longevity.
Not much else about the storm’s forecast has changed, NWS meteorologists said in the area forecast discussion. Rounds of scattered showers and storms are expected to develop over the region Thursday afternoon and evening, some of which could be strong to severe.
The most likely timeframe to experience severe weather is expected to be between 4 p.m. and 1 a.m., according to the NWS. The main hazards associated with the storm are hail, damaging winds and an isolated tornado.
The NWS gives most of Kentucky a 2% to 4% chance of getting a tornado and a 5% to 14% chance of experiencing damaging wind gusts.
“We are tracking a potential threat for severe weather on Thursday, with a higher risk for areas in the northern portion of western and central Kentucky,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a post on X. “We are monitoring closely and will share more information as it is available.”
The storms will be followed by a cold front. The NWS said temperatures will be in the 50s and low 60s Friday and Saturday, but it’s expected to go below freezing Saturday night and stay cold for a few days.
The projected high temperature is 37 degrees for Sunday and 34 degrees for Monday, according to the NWS’ seven-day forecast for Lexington. There is a chance for snow flurries Saturday night, but minimal to no effects are expected.
“Shouldn’t be a big deal as mild and wet temps ahead of a brief snow change over rarely does much of anything,” NWS meteorologists said in the area forecast discussion.
This story was originally published February 18, 2026 at 7:42 AM.
