PADUCAH — A powerful storm system will move across our area Friday, with several days of high-impact weather to follow.
We have activated a Weather Authority Alert for Friday, for the potential of strong, possibly damaging winds, and a few strong storms.
A rare High Wind Warning has been issued for western KY for Friday. Our most recent warning was on March 3, 2023, which brought several reports of wind damage from 50-60 mph gusts to the area. Gusty winds of 40-50 mph are possible across the entire area Friday. The strongest winds will occur from late morning through the afternoon. A few isolated gusts over 50 mph can’t be ruled out over KY & TN. With the ground softened from rain, a few uprooted trees could be possible. Expect several downed limbs, and a few scattered power outages may occur. Wind should gradually subside Friday night.
There will also be a small window from around 8AM – 1PM Friday where a strong to severe storm could impact areas of KY & TN. Widespread, organized severe storms are not expected, but an isolated storm with damaging winds or a very brief spin-up tornado can’t be ruled out.
Along with the threat for high winds and storms, we’ll have a period of moderate to heavy rain Friday morning. Expect a messy drive to work and school. Rainfall totals of 1-2″ will be likely, with isolated higher totals closer to 3″ possible. Some localized flooding may occur with the heaviest rain.
Temperatures Friday will drop rapidly. We’ll be in the 50s at lunch, then down in the 20s not long after sunset. Wind chills will dive into the teens in the evening.
Following all of this, our attention then turns to the potential for snow and a prolonged period of dangerous cold.
We are continuing to track the potential for a round of accumulating snow Sunday evening into Monday. There is still a high degree of uncertainty regarding if and where accumulation will be possible and how much to expect. Forecast models are struggling to handle this system. Current trends among the models have been to decrease snow amounts in our area. Stay tuned for updates to this aspect of the forecast.
That potential snow will develop on the leading edge of an Arctic cold front that will bring an extended period of below freezing temperatures and possibly dangerous wind chills to the area next week. Temperatures will fall below freezing Saturday evening, and could remain below freezing for several days into next week. Below zero wind chills are likely most of Monday and Tuesday…possibly as low as -10 to -20 in parts of the area those mornings.
This cold will rival what we dealt with just before Christmas in December 2022, which proved challenging for plumbing and infrastructure. Take steps now to prepare for this bitter cold stretch. Disconnect outdoor hoses and insulate outdoor faucets. Insulate indoor pipes if possible, or be ready to allow faucets to drip, and open cabinets to allow warm air to flow around pipes. Seal up any drafty areas around windows and doors. Make sure any indoor heating sources are ventilated properly and away from flammable materials. Check your vehicle batteries and winterize vehicles. Bring pets inside if possible, or make sure pets and livestock have adequate warm shelter and unfrozen drinking water if they have to be outdoors.
Continue to stay with WPSD Local 6 as we track this round of impactful weather.
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