Lexington, Ky. – Strong storms could slam much of Kentucky through Thursday evening, prompting a Severe Thunderstorm Watch across 44 counties, including Lexington, Ashland, and Covington.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, the watch remains in effect until 7 p.m. EDT and includes areas from central to northeastern Kentucky. Threats include wind gusts up to 60 mph, isolated hail, and frequent lightning. Cities such as Fayette, Boyd, Campbell, Madison, and Scott counties are under the alert, along with the I-64 and I-75 corridors.
Emergency officials are urging residents to secure outdoor items and avoid unnecessary travel during storm activity. Power outages are possible, particularly in rural areas, where tree limbs could snap under strong gusts. Drivers should watch for fallen debris and brief heavy downpours reducing visibility.
This watch follows a pattern of active spring weather across the Ohio Valley. Storm cells could organize quickly this afternoon, increasing the risk of localized damage, especially in northern and eastern parts of the state.
The thunderstorm watch remains active until 7 p.m., but additional warnings may follow as storms evolve. Stay tuned to local weather stations and NOAA alerts for real-time updates.
