Western Kentucky is facing a significant weather threat today, with forecasters warning that all modes of severe weather could develop as conditions become more favorable throughout the afternoon and evening.
National Weather Service Paducah Warning Coordination Meteorologist Christine Wielgos says the atmosphere is still evolving, and forecasters are closely monitoring how much clearing and moisture return will occur before storms develop. She says that if enough sunshine and higher dew points move in, the region could see a dangerous setup with discrete supercells this afternoon, followed by a line of storms this evening.
Wielgos says all severe weather hazards are on the table, including large hail, damaging straight-line winds, and tornadoes. She noted that while tornado probabilities may appear modest on some outlook maps, the environment could still support stronger tornadoes in the EF-2 to EF-3 range if isolated supercells form.
She also warned that hail up to 2 inches in diameter is possible and said the atmosphere has already shown signs it is primed for hail-producing storms.
In addition, the weather service is watching for another round of storms on Tuesday, with hail, damaging winds, and localized flooding possible in the afternoon and evening.
Wielgos says conditions and storm timing could continue to change quickly through the day.
We’ll have live weather coverage on this station if severe weather warnings are issued today and tonight.