LOUISVILLE, Ky. —
A few counties in Kentucky are under a tornado watch under 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. This includes Green, Taylor, Hart & Adair.
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.
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Much of the greater Louisville area is under a moderate risk for severe weather this afternoon. This is a level 4 of 5 on the severe weather potential scale issued by the Storm Prediction Center. Kentuckiana has not been under this great of a risk in six years. Take the risk seriously.
If a tornado warning is issued for any county in the viewing area, you can watch live coverage from WHAS11 meteorologists on WHAS11.com, WHAS11+ and the WHAS11 YouTube channel.
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The greatest tornado threat is from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, but tornadoes can occur anywhere at anytime. As storms known as supercells form individually, that is when they are most likely to form tornadoes. But today's storms will form very quickly and will be responsible for all types of severe weather.
In addition to the tornado threat, large hail, damaging wind and frequent lightning will be possible with any storm that develops. One thing to note is that tornadoes and storms will move rather quickly today. 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.
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:
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.
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.
