Lexington under tornado watch, thunderstorm warning. Heavy rain, hail spotted
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- NWS expanded tornado watch at 3:18 p.m. to include Fayette and nearby counties.
- Severe thunderstorm warning active for Fayette, Jessamine and Woodford until 4:15 p.m.
- Lexington faces 5–29% hail/wind risk (gusts to 70 mph) and 2–9% tornado chance.
Lexington was placed under a tornado watch and severe thunderstorm warning Thursday afternoon as a system of severe storms tracks hits Kentucky, according to the National Weather Service.
At 1:15 p.m., the NWS issued a tornado watch for Kentucky areas most at risk for severe weather. Fayette County was not included in the original advisory, but it was expanded at 3:18 p.m. to include Fayette, Bourbon, Clark, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Madison, Nicholas, Scott and Woodford counties.
The city saw heavy rain and some hail as the storm system hit Thursday afternoon.
The NWS said storms were expected to intensify over the next couple of hours. The biggest threat would be to areas north of the Bluegrass and Western Kentucky parkways, as well as along Interstate 64.
The tornado watch for Fayette County was scheduled to expire at 9 p.m. Thursday, according to the NWS. The greatest tornado threat is in southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky.
The severe thunderstorm warning for Fayette, Jessamine and Woodford counties was scheduled to be in place until 4:15 p.m., according to the NWS. A severe thunderstorm was spotted near Versailles at 3:38 p.m., moving east at 30 mph.
A severe thunderstorm warning was also issued for part of Lexington, Winchester and Pine Grove, scheduled to last until 4:30 p.m.
Fayette County and many northern areas of Western and Central Kentucky were under a slight risk for severe weather according to forecasts shared earlier in the day, the second-lowest risk out of five in the NWS’ storm prediction center outlook. Slight risk implies that severe thunderstorms with varying levels of intensity are expected.
What are the odds Lexington sees a tornado?
Lexington’s chances of experiencing a tornado were between 2% and 9%, and the city had between a 5% and 29% chance of experiencing hail and damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, according to the NWS. There is less than a 10% chance Kentucky gets a tornado.
Many other parts of the state are under a marginal risk for severe weather, the lowest risk out of five. Marginal risk implies which implies severe storms of either limited intensity or longevity.
This story was originally published February 19, 2026 at 4:02 PM.
