The listening region is currently under several severe weather threats. Forecasters predict heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to drench the area, with the chance for strong winds and potentially a tornado.
Philomon Geertson is a Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson. He said the system is far from over and has the chance to worsen Tuesday.
“As is often the case here in Eastern Kentucky, the available instability that fuels severe thunderstorms remains somewhat of a question. Right now, we’re looking at a potentially quite stable environment early Tuesday morning due to the shower and thunderstorm activity that we’re expecting late tonight,” said Geertson. “If we’re able to see our skies clear out on Tuesday, allow that sun to start heating us up and destabilizing our environment, we could see an extremely dynamic severe weather day.”
Geertson said the chance for tornados is very low, but not impossible. Most of the severe weather threats will come in the form of flooding, lightning, and hail.
Geertson stressed the importance of keeping an eye on the forecast and knowing where to shelter in case of an emergency.
“This is still a developing situation, so there’s still some unknowns in how everything’s going to play out. So, definitely continue to monitor the forecast, and when the storms do threaten have multiple ways to receive warnings and know where you will take shelter if we have a severe thunderstorm, a tornado, or a flood warning issued for your location,” said Geertson.
There is a flood watch in effect in the area until 8 p.m. Tuesday.
