Updated: Forecast improves parts of Kentucky, but tornado watch issued for others

Christopher Leach
·5 min read

Western Kentucky is the target another another severe storm that’s expected to possibly include damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes and flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

No damage was reported as a strong storm went through Lexington early Wednesday, but the city is under an slight risk of severe weather for the rest of the day. Hazards include heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and hail, but forecasters didn’t rule out the chances of a severe storm.

Multiple Western Kentucky counties along with areas in Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee are under a moderate risk for severe weather in the NWS’ severe weather outlook. The moderate risk zone is the second highest risk zone in the NWS’ severe weather outlook.

A tornado watch has been issued for Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken Muhlenberg, Todd and Trigg counties, according to the NWS. The watch will be in effect until at least 5 p.m. CST.

At 1:15 p.m. CST the tornado watch was extended to include Adair, Allen, Barren, Breckinridge, Butler, Clinton, Cumberland, Daviess, Edmonson, Grayson, Green, Hancock, Hardin, Hart, Henderson, Larue, Logan, McLean, Meade, Metcalfe, Monroe, Ohio, Russell, Simpson, Taylor, Union, Warren and Webster counties. The watch for those counties will be in effect until at least 9 p.m. CST., according to the NWS.

Forecasters in the severe weather outlook said strong thunderstorms appear likely. The main hazards in the storms are tornadoes EF-2 or stronger, significant destructive winds up to 70 miles per hour and very large to giant hail.

The storms could span a period of several hours, beginning in the later morning hours, according to the NWS branch in Paducah. Forecasters said in the area forecast discussion that an approaching cold front later Wednesday afternoon will ignite a significant risk of a severe weather outbreak in the afternoon/evening hours.

Potential impacts from the storms are damage to homes, vehicles, trees, power lines and injuries to those caught outside in a storm, according to the NWS.

Western Kentucky University announced it was closing all of its campuses at noon CST in preparation for the storms.

On Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear encouraged everyone to stay up to date on the latest forecast and have a plan for severe weather.

“I’m taking this seriously, this is where my family lives, and I hope everyone else will take it seriously too,” Beshear said.

Lexington weather forecast; no damage from overnight storms

Virtually all of Kentucky, including Lexington, is under a flood watch through Thursday morning. The NWS said flooding from the excessive rainfall is possible in areas near rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

The northeastern parts of Fayette County received over an inch of rain between 8 a.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. Wednesday, according to the NWS.

Lexington and areas of northern and eastern Kentucky are in the slight risk zone of the NWS’ severe weather outlook. Lexington was previously in the enhanced risk zone but the improved forecast lowered Lexington’s chances of experiencing severe weather.

Areas to the northeast of Lexington are under marginal risk for severe weather, which is below slight risk. A slight risk for severe weather, “implies organized severe thunderstorms are expected, but usually in low coverage with varying levels of intensity,” the NWS said.

At 10 a.m. forecasters said the severe weather risk in the early afternoon for central Kentucky is low and it does not seem likely that the storms coming from the west will intensify.

The main threats from the storm now include locally heavy rainfall, cloud-to-ground lightning and small to marginally severe hail, according to the NWS. Despite the improving forecast, the NWS didn’t rule out the possibility of larger hail and stronger storms.

Additional storms in the form of a squall line are expected in the evening. The NWS said all severe hazards are possible with the squall line.

A strong storm hit Lexington in the early morning hours Wednesday, according to WKYT chief meteorologist Chris Bailey. No damage was reported but the LG&E & KU power outage map showed 21 outages affecting 382 customers Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday night, Bailey reported a possible tornado near Natural Bridge State Park, but the NWS has not confirmed a touchdown. He later posted pictures on social media of trees down in the area.

There previously was an outage in the Versailles Road area near the Blue Grass Airport but power in the area has since been restored. The Blue Grass Airport’s flight status board shows all flights are running on time.

Beshear confirmed there were several downed trees at Natural Bridge State Park but it is still operational. Beshear added no injuries were reported from Tuesday’s storms.

“I’m thankful for our first responders, who helped keep everyone safe,” Beshear said in a post on X. “Remember to stay weather aware again today as more severe storms are expected.”

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