Severe Weather Threat Builds; Monday Could Turn Dangerous

As Aprils go in western Kentucky and southern Indiana, this has been one of the mildest that I can remember. Comfortable, above average temperatures aren't a huge surprise, but the lack of rain certainly has been. That figures to change in the next few days.

Friday Severe Weather Threat Diminishes

The National Weather Service had placed the tri-state area under a Level 1 Marginal Risk for severe weather this Friday. A cold front will come through, but the greatest risk now looks like it will stay in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Showers and thunderstorms, however, remain in the forecast for Friday. It's the other end of the weekend that is of most concern.

Severe Weather Risk Monday

It looks like we'll bookend the weekend with severe weather should everything come together. The only difference is the level of intensity, which is predicted to be much greater on Monday. For now, the National Weather Service has already placed western Kentucky and southern Indiana under a Level 2 Slight risk for severe weather, with a Level 3 Enhanced risk knocking on the door. But much depends on what happens Sunday night according to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center. If storm development is limited, a substantial severe threat would unfold on Monday.

The NWS is warning of "possible tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds with supercells and storm clusters."

While we don't want severe weather, we do need the rain. According to The Interior Journal, 97% of Kentucky is suffering through some level of drought, with the worst of it in the southwest, the bullseye the coming heavy rain and severe weather.