Thousands in KY without power after overnight storm. There’s snow in the forecast
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Severe overnight storms tied to 27,138 Kentucky power outages by 6:20 a.m.
- Tornado watches hit western/parts of central KY; some gusts reached 50+ mph.
- Cold front brings snow squalls, minor accumulation; temps fall to low 20s by Tuesday.
Thousands are without power after severe weather passed through Kentucky overnight Sunday.
There were still more than 15,000 power outages reported in Kentucky as of 11:40 a.m., according to tracker poweroutage.us. That’s down from as many as 38,600 outages during the peak of the storm, according to Gov. Andy Beshear.
Laurel County reported the most power outages at 3,923 at 7 a.m., followed by Grayson, Wayne, Nelson and Clinton counties, all with at least 1,300 outages.
There were 597 outages reported in Fayette County, and LG&E & KU’s power outage map shows most of the outages near Alumni Drive between Tates Creek Road and New Circle Road. The cause of the outages is weather related, but no estimated restoration time was given. There were also outages reported on Paynes Mill Road near Redd Road, Athens Boonesboro Road near Interstate 75 and Castlewood Park.
All of Western Kentucky and parts of Central Kentucky were under a tornado watch as the storm passed through the region overnight. There were several tornado warnings issued, as well.
Beshear said there was some structural damage reported across the state, but no one was injured.
“Thank you to everyone who took precautions to stay safe,” Beshear said on social media.
There were reports of damaged buildings and barns and downed trees in Meade County, where emergency management said the Flaherty and Vine Grove areas suffered the most damage.
Nicholas, Powell, Wayne and Owen all reported wind gusts of at least 50 mph since midnight, according to the Kentucky Mesonet. Fayette County’s fastest wind gust was 46.5 mph, recorded at 1:20 a.m., the 10th strongest across the state since midnight.
Snow in the forecast for Monday
Scattered snow showers and some snow squalls are expected with the arrival of a cold front Monday. A snow squall is a short but intense period of snowfall, often accompanied by high winds that reduce visibility, according to the National Weather Service.
A dusting of accumulation is possible, but some areas could get up to an inch of snow. The NWS puts Lexington’s chances of getting at least an inch of snow at 25%. There is an 81% chance the city gets at least a dusting.
The cold front is also expected to significantly lower the temperatures. The NWS said the temperature in Lexington is expected to drop to 32 degrees by 6 p.m. Monday, and into the low 20s Tuesday morning.
Temperatures are gradually expected to warm back up later this week. The NWS’ seven-day forecast for Lexington predicts the high temperature to rise above 60 degrees by Thursday, followed by warm and sunny conditions over the weekend.
Wind advisory in effect
A wind advisory will be in effect for much of Western, Central and Northern Kentucky until 8 a.m. Monday. The NWS said 15 to 20 mph winds are expected, with gusts up to 40 mph.
The weather service said wind gusts could knock over trees and cause a few power outages.
This story was originally published March 16, 2026 at 7:18 AM.
