The clouds broke up for a few hours and is still shining through some of the thin clouds. This has served to destabilize the atmosphere. The Storms Prediction Center has upgraded our severe threat to an “Enhanced” risk for severe storms going into the overnight and early Friday. Dewpoints are expected to rise into the low 60’s ahead of the storm system and cold front from western Kentucky and Tennessee through middle TN and central KY. These environmental conditions are expected to support thunderstorms capable of strong wind gusts, and potentially a few tornadoes. Severe thunderstorms are also anticipated in a squall line along this front as it moves eastward. Any discrete storms that form ahead of the front would likely be supercells.
A Wind Advisory was issued for the entire region for winds of 20-35 mph and upwards to 55 mph gusts possible. Tree damage and power outages will be a good bet with these wind gusts, especially with the overly saturated soils. Expected rainfall amounts have also been increased as well with some areas expected to receive 3 to 4 or more inches. I know this is a lot to absorb and it may sound a little scary. But we have been through worse threats before so don’t be overly frightened. It will probably be a noisy night.