Ashland, KY — Northeast Kentucky is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch early Thursday morning as a fast-moving storm system pushes through the Ohio Valley, bringing strong winds and the potential for isolated tornadoes.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, the watch remains in effect until 7 a.m. EDT for Boyd, Greenup, Carter, and Lawrence counties, including cities like Ashland, Grayson, and Louisa. The storms originated in western Ohio and are advancing rapidly eastward.
The main threats include scattered wind gusts up to 70 mph and the chance of a brief tornado, especially in areas with open terrain or near river valleys. Forecasters also warn of frequent lightning and brief downpours, which may reduce visibility on roadways like U.S. Route 23 and I-64.
Residents are urged to take shelter, remain off the roads during storm passage, and have a reliable way to receive weather updates. Outdoor items should be secured, and backup power sources checked in case of outages.
April typically brings dynamic weather to the region, but overnight severe thunderstorm watches remain uncommon. Local officials continue to monitor conditions as the line of storms crosses the state border before daybreak.
