A strong storm system moving through Kentucky later this week could bring the threat of a tornado and other severe weather hazards.
According to the National Weather Service, rounds of scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop Thursday afternoon and continue into the evening. Warmer temperatures across the state will help fuel the storms, increasing the potential for some to become strong to severe.
Forecasters expect storms to begin during the afternoon of Feb. 19 and persist through the evening hours. The primary threats include large hail, damaging wind gusts and the possibility of an isolated tornado.
Much of Kentucky falls under the severe weather threat area. Northwestern portions of the state, including Lexington and Louisville, are under a slight risk for severe weather. That ranking is the second-lowest of five categories in the NWS Storm Prediction Center outlook.
A slight risk means forecasters expect severe thunderstorms with varying levels of intensity. Other parts of the state are under a marginal risk, which indicates storms could occur but may be limited in strength or duration.
Cold Temperatures to Follow the Storms
Meteorologists say a cold front will sweep through the region Thursday night, pushing temperatures down into the 40s and low 50s by Friday, Feb. 20. Temperatures may rebound into the 50s and 60s later Friday before dipping again into the upper 30s and low 40s by Sunday, Feb. 22, and Monday, Feb. 23.
“Sunday night looks like the coldest of the period by far with lows back in the low to mid 20s,” NWS meteorologists said in the area forecast discussion.
Several rounds of precipitation are expected along with the cold front. While most of it will likely fall as rain, forecasters say snow showers are possible Saturday night.
Any snowfall accumulation, however, is expected to be minimal.
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