Multi-day strong to severe storm threat into the mid-week
You'll want to stay weather aware Tuesday and especially Wednesday with a few rounds of severe weather possible
It’s that time of the year here in Central and Eastern Kentucky…severe weather season! After a cloudy Monday with scattered showers and a few rumbles of thunder the focus now shifts to the potential of strong to severe storms here in the Ohio Valley the next couple of days. BOTH Tuesday and Wednesday are on the table for possible big storms as two separate storm systems keep that threat on the table. At this point the better chance of a significant severe weather event with all modes of severe weather will be Wednesday and into Wednesday night, but of course Tuesday bears watching as well so you’ll want to stay weather aware the next few days.
The first wave of energy should impact the region Tuesday with damaging winds and some larger hail being the primary threats, although an isolated tornado chance is there too. The Storm Prediction Center has all of Central and Eastern Kentucky under a Level 2 risk (out of 5). It appears the greater tornado threat will be to our north over Ohio on Tuesday. The hail threat is a little more elevated than usual so keep that in mind. The storms should be scattered as they develop during the day so it’s not going to be an all-day rain, although any storm has the potential of producing some torrential rain. Afternoon highs will stay warm into the low 80s.
Heading into Wednesday, the severe threat increases a bit more as a strong wave of energy moves into the region. All the dynamics are coming together for a legitimate severe weather event but just remember that the timing of the “waves” of storms through Tuesday and Wednesday can have a domino effect on additional storms redeveloping (or not) depending on how things play out. That being said, the Storm Prediction Center has a Level 3 risk (out of 5) for much of the area Wednesday and Wednesday night with all modes of severe weather including tornadoes possible.
With the potential of the storms lasting into the early hours of Thursday, you’ll definitely want to have the ability to get alerts and warnings, especially during sleeping hours. Another area of concern is the potential for flooding given the multiple rounds of heavy rain we may see the next few days so keep that in mind. Afternoon highs on Wednesday could surge into the mid-80s before backing down into the 70s Thursday with a few leftover showers and storms.
The big story to close out the week and head into Mother’s Day weekend will be some cooler air sliding in behind the departing system. With some clouds and a few spotty showers around afternoon highs may only reach the low and mid-60s. The model data is trending a bit drier for Mother’s Day with temperatures hopefully recovering back to around the 70 degree mark, which is just below average for this time of the year.
ABC 36 HOUR FORECAST
MONDAY NIGHT: Mild with isolated storms. Lows in the low-60s.
TUESDAY: Scattered storms, some strong. Highs in the low-80s.
TUESDAY NIGHT: More showers and storms. Lows in the low to mid-60s.
