KENTUCKY — Strong to severe storms are expected to move into Kentucky Wednesday afternoon and evening along a cold front. A few storms are expected to pop up between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. near the Indiana border before moving east and forming a line. The main concern is damaging wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph, along with a low-end 2 percent tornado risk, though nothing significant is expected.
Main Focus Area Covers Elizabethtown and Bowling Green
The main focus area for severe storms covers west-central Kentucky, stretching from near Brandenburg and Elizabethtown south toward Leitchfield, Morgantown, and Bowling Green. This area has the highest chance for a couple of severe thunderstorm warnings, mainly for damaging winds.
Storms forming near the Indiana border are expected to move east and organize into a line as they enter this zone. Not every location will see severe weather, but residents in this area should be ready for strong gusts during the late afternoon and evening.
Damaging Winds of 60 to 70 MPH Lead the Threats
Damaging wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph are the main hazard with the strongest storms. Winds this strong could knock down trees and power lines, causing scattered outages across central and western Kentucky.
Large hail of 1 to 2 inches is also possible with a few storms. The tornado risk remains low, with only a brief tornado possible if a storm becomes better organized along the line.
Storms Move East at 25 to 45 MPH
Storms are expected to move from west to east at 25 to 45 mph, with the main window for severe weather running from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Louisville, Owensboro, Madisonville, and Hopkinsville are also inside the broader risk area as the line develops…