UPDATE: Severe weather threat tonight

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The National Weather Service held a conference call with emergency managers, government agencies and media this afternoon, where they relayed the latest date for tonight’s forecasted severe weather event.

Christian County Native and Paducah office Meteorologist Rick Shanklin says the worst of the weather will likely impact western Kentucky in the overnight hours, placing an extra emphasis on residents having a working NOAA weather radio that will wake them if a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued for their county.



Meteorologist Mike York gave the best forecast available for when the storms might impact the Pennyrile, saying it will likely be when people are normally sleeping.


A strong cold front is responsible for the moderate risk of severe weather in the area tonight and York said super-cell storms could develop out ahead of that front. He also said there is a possibility of multiple lines of storms coming through, though that is not likely.

Shanklin expects a Tornado Watch to be issued for the entire area sometime this evening. A watch means conditions are favorale for the development of tornadoes, while a warning means severe weather is imminent.

Stay tuned to the WHOP family of stations, our websites and to our Facebook page for the latest on this developing weather situation.
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01/29/2013/am