LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Another extreme weather pattern is taking shape across our region starting today and running through the weekend. A tornado outbreak is possible later today into tonight for parts of Kentucky and surrounding areas. This kicks off an extended period of severe weather with flooding rains.

Here’s a fresh breakdown:

TODAY

• Gusty southwest winds may have gusts in the 40mph to 50mph range at times.
• Temps surge into the upper 70s and low 80s.
• Isolated showers and storms will be possible.
• Strong to severe storms develop just west of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers this afternoon and then roll east.

TONIGHT

• Severe thunderstorms blow up across western Kentucky early this evening.
• Tornadoes are likely to develop with the possibility of a few long-tracked, violent tornadoes.
• The greatest tornado risk is across the western half of the state.
• Severe storms become more linear by late evening as they move toward Central Kentucky.
• Damaging winds and a lower tornado threat will still be noted.
• This line of storms will be oriented from southwest to northeast through the state and may not make it into the southeast.
• Torrential rains are likely with these storms, with local flash flooding developing.

THURSDAY

• Waves of strong to severe storms continue to develop and roll from southeast to northeast across the state.
• Damaging winds and a low-end tornado risk continue to be noted.
• Torrential rains will also continue with the flash flood and general flood threat increasing.
• Some areas may pick up 2″-5″ of rain on the day.
• Once again, the southeast sees the least amount of action.

FRIDAY

• The day starts with widespread showers and storms.
• Once again, severe storms with damaging winds will be possible.
• There’s still a low-end tornado risk.
• The focus of the storms should gradually shift northwest through the day.
• This means the greatest threat for flooding Friday into Friday night focuses on western Kentucky into the northern part of the state.

SATURDAY

• Widespread flooding is likely across areas of western, central and northern parts of the state.
• Strong to severe thunderstorms should focus across the west and north through the early afternoon.
• A large chunk of central and eastern Kentucky may spike into the 80s with some sun, making for a very unstable atmosphere.
• The severe storms risk then focuses across the rest of Kentucky later in the afternoon and evening.
• Damaging winds and a few tornadoes will be possible.

SUNDAY

• Widespread flooding may be ongoing to start the day.
• Heavy rain and thunderstorms across central and eastern Kentucky start to slow down.
• Gusty showers will be leftover in the afternoon as colder winds kick in.

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