Severe weather expected in Central Kentucky this week. What to know
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Multiple rounds of severe weather are expected Monday night into Wednesday morning.
- Primary threats include wind gusts up to 70 mph and tornadoes; large hail possible later.
- Far western counties are under an enhanced risk; Lexington is in a marginal zone.
Multiple rounds of severe weather are expected early this week in Kentucky, and Gov. Andy Beshear is urging caution from residents.
The first round of severe weather is expected to arrive between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. overnight Monday, April 27, into Tuesday, April 28, according to the National Weather Service. In Lexington, the storms are expected to arrive between midnight and 3 a.m.
The main threats from the storms are wind gusts up to 70 mph and tornadoes. The area west of Interstate 65 in Kentucky has the greatest threat of severe weather, while the severity diminishes eastward, according to the NWS.
The farthest Western Kentucky counties are under an enhanced threat for severe weather from the storms, the third-highest assessment out of five in the NWS’ storm prediction center. Enhanced risk implies a greater concentration of organized severe thunderstorms with varying intensity, according to the NWS.
Lexington sits just outside the border of the slight risk zone, the second-highest threat assessment. Lexington is in the marginal risk zone, which implies severe storms of limited organization or longevity.
The NWS said the severe weather could separate into two bands, weakening the severe potential of the main band of storms. But the bands could eventually merge back together again as they travel east through Kentucky.
The entire state is under some sort of risk from the overnight storms. Gov. Andy Beshear warned people to prepare for the storms.
“Kentucky, we’re expecting severe weather Monday night into Tuesday morning and need everyone to be prepared and have weather alerts on,” Beshear said on X. “It is an overnight event, so the danger to our people is higher.”
Second round of severe weather
Another round of severe weather is expected late Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning, according to the NWS. The storms don’t project to be as severe as the first round, but strong wind gusts large hail and isolated tornadoes are possible.
The NWS said the intensity and timing of the second round of severe weather will be dependent on what happens during the first round. As of Monday morning, the second round of storms is expected to hit between 7 p.m. Tuesday and 4 a.m. Wednesday.
Some Western and Southern Kentucky counties are under a slight risk for severe weather while most of the rest of the state is under a marginal risk for severe weather, according to the NWS.
The storms could bring between 1 and 3 inches of rain to Kentucky. The NWS said the rainfall is much needed for the state, brief ponding and minor flooding are possible. Flash flooding is not expected.
This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 7:50 AM.
