Good evenings, folks! My apologies for the extended absence, but with classes now over, it's time to resume our regular updates! Unfortunately, we have several more rounds of severe weather on the horizon and I want to make sure everyone remains vigilant and prepared over the next 48 hours and beyond. I'll talk more about the setup below, but first, I want to introduce a new resource to help you stay weather aware.

Weather Alert

On that note, I'm excited to present a new smartphone app called "Weather Alert", developed in collaboration between the UK Ag Weather Center, UK Center for Computational Sciences, and Southeastern Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention (SCAHIP). The goals of this app are two-fold: to heighten awareness during extreme weather conditions and secondly, to empower Kentucky farming operations with valuable insights for management and production-related decisions.

Made possible through support from Smith-Lever/Land Grant Engagement funding, SCAHIP, and the UK Department of Biosystems & Ag Engineering, the initial phase of app development is now COMPLETE. This includes a user-friendly design for easily accessing current and forecast weather data, including a high-resolution radar interface. This app also seamlessly integrates the ability to deliver timely warning and watch alerts directly to your mobile device, all accessible through your phone's GPS location or other designated areas of interest.

The app can be accessed for each platform by scanning or clicking the QR codes below.

Phase two of app development will start in the coming weeks, where tools from the Ag Weather Center will be updated and modernized to create a GPS-enabled, county-by-county ag weather product for the Bluegrass State. We'll then turn our attention to disaster readiness in phase three, focusing once again on a county-by-county product.

Last but not least, this app is completely FREE with NO ADS! One of the best compliments I received a few weeks ago was from a farmer in Boyle County. She mentioned that this is the first weather app she could use in her rural location that doesn't bog down because of ads!

Please share with friends and family! While the focus is on the state of Kentucky, you can utilize this app anywhere across the United States. I've included some screenshots of the iOS version below for reference. As mentioned above, this app is being completed in three phases, and I'm more than open to suggestions and comments as we move forward in development. You can send those to our email at [weather.alert@uky.edu]. Ultimately, the goal is for this app to be your go-to source for your ag weather needs and staying weather aware!

Severe Weather Overview Round 1

Severe weather potential is increasing across the state over the next 36 hours with multiple rounds expected. The Great Plains experienced the action yesterday, and now it's our turn. Currently, the Storm Prediction Center has the entirety of Kentucky under either a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) or an enhanced risk (level 3) for severe weather this evening and into tonight. All modes of severe weather are possible, including damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. Specifically focusing on the latter two modes, there is potential for large hail (>=2" in diameter) and even a strong tornado (EF2+) in the hatched regions below (dashed lines). Again, most of this activity looks to occur after sunset and well into the overnight hours. Please ensure you have multiple ways to receive warnings, and that they are loud enough to wake you up if necessary! As of 6PM Eastern, a new Tornado Watch has been issued for the Northern KY area. Click the link for more information.

Severe Weather Overview

Round 2

There's more uncertainty surrounding tomorrow's severe weather potential. A lot depends on how much the atmosphere is able to destabilize following tonight's round of storms. Currently, the SPC has most of the area under an enhanced risk for severe weather (level 3 out of 5), with all modes once again on the table. This time, however, the threat for severe hail expands statewide, while the epicenter for tornadic activity is shifted to Western and Central KY. Timing-wise, we're looking at the afternoon hours and into the overnight. Again, there's still plenty of uncertainty for tomorrow's event, and we'll definitely see some changes in the outlooks. With that said, this is your public address announcement to remain weather aware over the next 36 hours and continuously monitor the latest updates. For your convenience, I've included the National Weather Service briefings at the bottom of the page.

One last thing to mention is the potential for flooding. As you're well aware when you walk outside, you can feel that humidity! We're currently situated in an extremely moist air mass, which can lead to heavy downpours from time to time. Combine this aspect with the fact that we're due to see multiple rounds over the next couple of days, and you have the potential for flash flooding. As you can see on the map below from the Weather Prediction Center, 1 to 2+ inches are in play across the state through Thursday evening. Looking at the latest model runs, I'd bump the range up to 3 inches. Many areas throughout Kentucky have already seen 1-2+ inches over the past 48 hours. The Kentucky Mesonet station in Clinton County even recorded 2.5 inches. Bottom line, adhere to those flash flood warnings. Never cross a flooded road! Find an alternative route! Stay safe!

Local NWS Office Weather Briefings

Western Kentucky: Paducah NWS

Central Kentucky: Louisville NWS

Eastern Kentucky: Jackson NWS