Tornado watch issued in Louisville, other areas in Kentucky as storms head our way
A tornado watch has been issued in Louisville, Southern Indiana and the surrounding region as storms head toward Kentucky on Wednesday.
The tornado watch was put in place at 10:25 a.m. and will be in effect until 5 p.m. It applies to Jefferson County as well as Boone, Campbell, Grant, Henry, Meade, Shelby, Breckinridge, Carroll, Hancock, Oldham, Spencer, Bullitt, Gallatin, Hardin, Kenton, Owen and Trimble counties. Counties north of Louisville in Southern Indiana are under the watch as well.
The National Weather Service had previously issued a wind advisory for Jefferson County and surrounding areas from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with storms expected in the afternoon.
US weather updates: 'Damage pretty widespread': 4 deaths reported in Missouri tornado.
The most severe weather is expected in Louisville between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., according to a release from the agency. The main threat will be "damaging straight line wind gusts and brief spin-up tornadoes" with south and southwest winds reaching up to 20-25 mph and gusts as high as 45 mph.
Between 1 and 2 inches of rain are expected in Louisville and the surrounding region, according to weather service projections, but that total could be higher in some areas.
The whole state is under a threat of storms, along with Southern Indiana. Western Kentucky is expected to be hit earlier, with the worst in that region expected between noon and 6 p.m., as the system moves east.
A cold front will bring the threat of severe weather to the region tomorrow. https://t.co/ixulaIOkoB #INwx #KYwx pic.twitter.com/kKjTsSsMdg
— NWS Louisville (@NWSLouisville) April 4, 2023
The latest projections follow a round of storms that moved through the region last weekend. The weather service confirmed an EF-1 tornado with winds that reached up to 90 mph touched down in Shelby and Jefferson counties early Saturday morning.
Kentucky's threat of severe weather stems from a system that has already caused major damage in a couple of states: the weather service confirmed a tornado in Missouri early Wednesday that hit Glenallen that state officials said caused "extensive" damage. An EF-2 tornado also touched down Tuesday in Illinois with winds that reached 120 mph that caused a wall to collapse and tore the roof off a gas station.
Wednesday's system is a result of the same weather conditions that brought dozens of tornadoes through the Midwest and South just last week, killing more than 30 people and damaging thousands of homes and businesses. Low pressure and strong southerly winds are responsible for potential damage, according to said Ryan Bunker, a meteorologist with the National Weather Center in Norman, Oklahoma.
While tornadoes threaten the South and Midwest, North and South Dakota are experiencing blizzards. Schools in South Dakota closed Tuesday along with some state executive branch offices. Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota green lit emergency snow removal grants to localities in the state the same day totaling $20 million.
Here is the latest information regarding the Jefferson/Shelby County tornado that occurred on 4/1/2023.
The entire Public Information Statement can be found at https://t.co/kc59K674Jx #kywx pic.twitter.com/QvxbeTbuId— NWS Louisville (@NWSLouisville) April 4, 2023
What's the Louisville forecast?
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some storms could be severe with damaging winds. High near 83. Breezy with south winds 16-22 mph and gusts as high as 36 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible during thunderstorms.
Wednesday night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m then showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 8-10 p.m. Some storms could be severe. Low around 47. Southwest winds 9-17 mph becoming Northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and a half of an inch possible.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy with a high near 58. North winds 7-10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday night: A 10% chance of showers before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy with a low around 41. North winds around 6 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny with a high near 61. Northeast winds 9-11 mph.
Friday night: Mostly cloudy with a low around 43 and Northeast winds 9-11 mph. Low around 43.
Easter Sunday: Mostly sunny with a high near 70. Sunday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 45.
Contact reporter Rae Johnson at RNJohnson@gannett.com. Follow them on Twitter at @RaeJ_33.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tornado watch issued for Louisville as storms head toward Kentucky
