Possibility for Severe Storms Later Today

Even with all the hazy cloud cover we had through yesterday morning, there was enough sun in the afternoon to boost temperatures into the mid-90s. Bowling Green had a high of 96°. This caps off a hot streak here in south-central Kentucky. 10 of the last 12 days have had highs in the 90s. We’ll add one more to that list today, but we’re getting very close to the relief that we’re due. How does a calm April day sound? That’s close to what we’ll be looking at over the weekend. But this wonderfully cool and dry air won’t arrive until the cold front actually passes, and that will be this sometime this evening. Unfortunately, we have to put up with some storms later today as it comes through, and a few of these could be severe.

A fairly potent storm rolled through Bowling Green last night around 2:45, which downed a few limbs here and there. That same front responsible for the overnight rain has lifted back north as a warm front. Winds will continue to be out of the southwest at 5-10 mph today. We should reach a high of 91° with partly cloudy skies lasting into the early afternoon hours, but conditions will quickly change. A low pressure system is located over the St. Louis area this morning, and it’s bringing a cold front with it. This low will travel through central Indiana this afternoon. Showers and storms are already in action along the front in Missouri, but these will intensify as the approach south-central Kentucky.

Today's severe weather outlook from the Storm Prediction Center

 Timing is not 100% certain, but broken lines and clusters of thunderstorms should arrive during the mid-afternoon hours, and continue into the evening. These storms may present themselves as just one wave or a couple rounds. Because activity is expected to be roughly linear, damaging winds are the primary hazard. However, surface boundaries left over from last night’s storms may act to provide extra convergence for storms. This would support an additional hail risk with the strongest cells, and we can’t rule out some small-scale circulations. As such, there may be a tornado or two. This front will progress through the area as we go into the overnight hours. Showers may be falling behind the front through tonight, and there could be some rumbles of thunder too, but everything will be in a weakening mode after dark.

The WKU Storm Team will of course provide you with any warnings and alerts for the region as they are issued. Stay tuned and make sure you're indoors this afternoon.

Today: Storms, some strong to severe, with mostly cloudy skies and a high of 91°. Southwest winds at 5-10 mph.
Tonight: Some showers and storms with overcast skies. Southwest winds at 5-10 mph. Low near 68°.
Saturday: Pleasant with a high around 78°. Morning showers giving way to mostly cloudy skies with a northwest wind at 5 mph.

Thanks for reading!
- Caleb Chevalier