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Tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds possible in Kentucky and Indiana Tuesday

Isolated tornadoes, flash flooding, large hail and damaging winds are possible. Stay weather aware.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Several Kentucky counties remain under a Tornado Watch following a brief round of severe weather Tuesday morning.

A Tornado Watch is in effect until 12 p.m. Tuesday afternoon for the Kentucky counties of Larue, Marion, Taylor, Green, Nelson, Spencer, and Washington.

A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for the development of severe storms, capable of producing tornadoes. Have a plan and be prepared to seek shelter if a warning is issued for your area. 

RELATED: Active weather alerts in Kentucky, southern Indiana on Tuesday; Latest here

More severe weather is expected Tuesday afternoon.

Credit: WHAS11

Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are in the forecast for central Kentucky and southern Indiana today. Unfortunately, all modes of severe weather are in the forecast. The greatest tornado risk is from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. today but a few storms the ignite this morning may also produce a few brief tornadoes. Keep in mind that straight-line wind gusts with these storms may also clock between 60-70 mph, producing hail and very heavy rainfall!

Today is a day to stay updated with the First Alert Storm Team as rounds of scattered storms will impact us from just before sunrise through early this evening.

Credit: WHAS11

Timing

Simply put, several waves of showers and storms that will turn strong to severe will impact us throughout the day. An abundant amount of energy and humid air will fuel the storms as they develop across much of the Ohio River Valley today. Here is an idea of what our day looks like on futurecast for central Kentucky and southern Indiana.

Remember, the greatest tornado threat is from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, but tornadoes can occur anywhere at anytime! As storms form individually (supercells) that is when they most, likely form tornadoes. But today's storms will form very quickly and will be responsible for all types of severe weather. One thing to note is that tornadoes and storms will move rather quickly today.  In summary, it is very important you act quickly when a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning is issued for your area!

Please make sure you charge all appliances and smart phones, have a flashlight and plenty of blankets, food stored and bottled water in the event you lose power today.

Notice that we are projected to pick up the scattered strong to severe storms all day long. A variable that meteorologists use to find storm energy is to look at a variable called CAPE. Take a look at these high values of CAPE that are projected to affect central Kentucky and southern Indiana this afternoon:

Credit: WHAS11
Very high levels of energy will move into our atmosphere today. This will fuel thunderstorms to turn severe.

Today's thunderstorm threat will come to a close when the cold front moves in after sunset. Most storms will push east of our area and race towards I-75 corridor by the 10 p.m. hour. Therefore, we are looking at a dry but windy and much cooler overnight and planner tomorrow.

RELATED: Scattered strong to severe storms Monday and Tuesday | First Alert StormTeam Forecast

Severe weather tips

It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the severe weather safety tips so that YOU are prepared when Mother Nature produces destructive and at times life-threatening thunderstorms.


Windy, cold air behind system

Model forecasts are also hinting at a cooler than normal pattern throughout the late stages of the week. Temperatures Wednesday through Friday will likely be in the lower to middle 50s. 

Overnight temperatures will come close to freezing, if not dipping slightly below freezing, in several locations. This may cause some harm to blooming plants.

We are also tracking strong wind for a few days after the storm marches east of us. The strong cold front will bring in wind gusts out of the west to northwest howling around 25-35 mph, if not greater in some rural spots. 

Please take note of this if you drive a high-profile vehicle or have some outdoor furniture that may easily blow around in the wind. The wind will finally begin to taper off during the nighttime hours Thursday.

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