BY MELINDA J. OVERSTREET
GLASGOW NEWS 1
The National Weather Service in Louisville has issued a high-wind warning for almost the entire day Friday for numerous counties in central Kentucky.
The warning is in effect from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST, with south winds 25 to 35 miles per hour and gusts 55-plus mph expected.
Anticipated impacts are that damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines; widespread power outages are expected; and travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.
“Wind gusts in and out of convection could exceed 60-65 mph,” the warning notice on the NWS website says.
Suggested precautionary measures include avoiding being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches.
“If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive,” the warning notice states.
Area weather forecaster Chris Allen from The Sam Channel and Sam 100.7 provided a severe weather outlook update at 3:30 Thursday afternoon, saying, “I really do think that tomorrow is going to be a serious, serious day here in southern Kentucky, not so from like a Dec. 11 tornado threat, but just the sheer force of the winds.”
He said no severe weather was expected overnight, but could begin early in the day Friday, depending on how certain factors combine. Allen says damaging winds are the No. 1 threat for Friday, with potential tornadoes secondary. If the sun comes through the clouds and heat things up, the risk for thunderstorms with lightning and tornadoes increases, he said.
He also provides a precipitation outlook for the next day or two that could result in flood watches and/or warnings.
Allen walks viewers on the YouTube channel through a wind-prediction model showing relatively slight gusts possible Thursday evening, but the gusts develop increasing strength throughout the morning, with the most significant gusts hitting from around noon to 2 p.m. — from about 53 miles per hour to a damage-causing 60 to 70 mph.
Even by around 4 p.m. the winds will “still be howling,” he says, and the tapering off will be gradual on into the evening and through the night.
“I’m just making sure you understand the gravity of this situation – not so much a big tornado threat, but a very big, wind-driven threat,” Allen said. “There will be wind damage. There will be power outages. There will be problems tomorrow.”
He offers preparedness tips.
“Make sure tomorrow morning your phone is charged and ready to receive bulletins,” he said, and make sure weather radios are turned on as well.
Weather bulletins will air immediately as the come in on WKLX/Sam 100.7 on the radio, he said, and if threats of tornadoes begin, he’ll come on the air live after the bulletins end and he’ll be on The Sam Channel.
“Make sure you have a safe place to go,” he said, and take the radio with you if possible. “It’s going to be an eventful day tomorrow, I think. … All kinds of things can happen. It doesn’t matter what the calendar says.”
Allen intends to post his next update at the usual time of around 5 a.m. Friday.
Should the need arise, the list of Barren County’s tornado safe rooms is at this link.*
*NOTE: This list was updated March 24 due to an addressing, but not actual location, change.
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