On May 25, 2024, a Severe Alert Day was issued for Louisville and the surrounding area due to the potential for severe weather including tornadoes. A Tornado Watch was in effect until 4 p.m. for much of the region, including Louisville Metro. The storms initially developed along a warm front and brought heavy rains and possible warnings to the area by late morning into the afternoon.
As the day progressed, more storms fired up in the evening, bringing stronger dynamics with them and posing a threat of damaging wind, flooding, and isolated tornadoes. The Storm Prediction Center placed Louisville and its surrounding region under an Enhanced Risk category (level 3 out of 5) for severe weather. A Flood Watch was in effect for nearly all of the WLKY viewing area with a greater flash flood risk for southern communities due to repeated thunderstorm activity over the past several days.
On Sunday, there was an estimated one to three inches of rain possible in some heavier storms during the day and night. Thunderstorm activity continued into the night with severe threats lingering into late Sunday. Early on Monday, a few showers could be possible.
In addition to Louisville, Breckinridge and Grayson County were under a Tornado Watch until 11:15 a.m., and Central Ohio was under a slight risk for severe weather with areas to the south and west under an enhanced risk. The Southern Plains were forecasted to see severe storms on May 25, 2024, with tornadoes being likely during the severe storms.
Despite the potential for dangerous weather conditions, many people had plans for outdoor activities including cookouts, high school graduation ceremonies, a Reds game at Great American Ball Park and the Taste of Cincinnati. The Reds rescheduled their first pitch for Sunday at 12:10 p.m.
Throughout the week following the storms, dry weather was expected to stick around with high temperatures slowly approaching the low 80s. However, an active pattern picked back up next weekend but details were difficult to discern that far out.
Overall, this period saw a heightened risk of severe weather including tornadoes and other dangerous conditions in the Louisville area and surrounding regions.
