Western Kentucky – Near-record warmth Thursday will give way to thunderstorms tonight as a cold front moves through the region, bringing a marginal risk of severe weather across western Kentucky and surrounding areas.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, afternoon temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 60s to near 70 degrees ahead of the front. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast to develop primarily after sunset, spreading from west to east through the overnight hours.
Forecasters say a few storms may become severe, with sporadic damaging wind gusts exceeding 60 mph identified as the primary hazard. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
The strongest storms are expected between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m., with activity beginning earlier in southeast Missouri and progressing eastward across the region overnight.
Even outside of thunderstorms, southerly winds gusting 30 to 40 mph are possible from Thursday afternoon through the night, which could contribute to hazardous travel conditions and isolated power disruptions.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of the area under a marginal risk (Level 1 of 5) for severe thunderstorms.
Residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware tonight, especially during sleeping hours, and ensure multiple ways to receive warnings if conditions worsen.
