Thunderstorms will likely start on Tuesday afternoon in Louisville and continue into the evening. A "squall line" of severe storms is also expected Wednesday evening, with scattered storms anticipated in advance during the afternoon hours.
'Wednesday is complicated because of what happens tonight," NWS chief meteorologist John Gordon said.
Gordon said storms that can produce hail, wind and tornadoes are likely to move through the area between 2-9 p.m. both Tuesday and Wednesday, though the most severe storms are expected Wednesday evening.
"The radar will be lit up tomorrow evening with all kinds of wind, flooding and isolated tornadoes," he said.
NWS meteorologist Mike Kochasic said a weather pattern like the one expected to pass through the state is only experienced in central Kentucky once or twice a year, on average. There are several things factoring into this weather including a strong low pressure system and jet stream energy, he said.
"This is a pretty serious, significant concern," Kochasic said regarding the weather expected.
Gov. Andy Beshear urged residents to take the forecast seriously and start preparing as soon as possible.
“Our No. 1 priority is to make sure everyone stays safe,” Beshear said during a Tuesday news conference. “We know severe weather can come on very quickly, and with the possibility of tornadoes and flash flooding in the forecast, we need everyone to take action now by making a plan to keep you and your family safe.”
Beshear said state office buildings will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday starting at 2 p.m. ahead of the projected forecast.
Beshear said the forecast for this week is even worse than the one in early April, when more than 20 tornadoes touched down around the state, including one that ripped through Jeffersonville, Indiana and Prospect .
Some areas of the state could experience several rounds of heavy rain and storms which could cause flooding. According to the NWS of Louisville, 1-3 inches of rainfall are possible.
"The flooding threat is the real deal," Gordon said. "We're not talking about July ... Eastern Kentucky , but I'm talking about waves of storms at night and with more waves of storms coming. So, we're going to have problems with water."
Kentucky Division of Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson said his department will be operating at a heightened awareness and there will be staff in their office building during the event.
"By activating now, we will increase our situational awareness for the event, we will ensure faster response times in case there is a need and we'll have good lines of clear communication to our citizens," Gibson said.
Carolyn Callahan, a spokesperson for the Jefferson County Public Schools, said all after school activities were canceled for Tuesday afternoon. She said no decisions had been made about Wednesday.
Tuesday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83 degrees. South wind 5-15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday evening: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65 degrees. Southwest wind 8-13 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday : A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85 degrees. South wind 5-9 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday night : A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 8 p.m. Low around 65 degrees. South wind 7-13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Thursday : A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 78 degrees. West wind 8-17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Thursday night : A 10% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52 degrees.
Friday : A 20% chance of showers after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 66 degrees.
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