Since early February, officials with the National Weather Service Paducah office have had to handle more than their share of severe weather forecasting — as high winds, flooding, and a few tornadoes have required full attention upon arrival.
During Monday’s Pennyrile Area Development District meeting in Hopkinsville, NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Christine Wielgos shared several different insights and statistics with regional leaders — detailing what’s been an interesting start to west Kentucky’s spring.
Responsible for 58 counties as a federal agency under the Department of Commerce, Wielgos said more than 473 miles of tornado path have already been observed in the region for 2025 — breaking the 2011 record that saw 79 tornadoes create nearly 450 miles of damage.
The difference, she said, other than it being only April, is that only 41 tornadoes have managed this destruction — meaning longer, more sustained twisters than usual.
During that stretch between April 2-6, Wielgos added that west Kentucky received between 10 and 16 inches of rain, with several water sources only cresting this past weekend.
From a very general standpoint, it might feel like severe weather occurs more frequently in the News Edge listening area — and that “Tornado Alley,” the dangerous Midwest zone known for its conditions, has shifted this way.
Wielgos offered her thoughts, reflecting on 25 years of weather coverage in the country.
However, she also noted that two other factors could be playing a part in western Kentucky’s wild weather:
+ More people are interested in storm spotting and chasing than they were 30 years ago.
+ And meteorology has also improved in the same span.
Also, in mid-March, multiple sources reported that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was laying off more than 1,000 of its workforce — part of President Donald Trump’s overhaul of the federal government.
Noted by USA Today, an E-mail sent to NOAA staff said this “did not include” reduction in the National Weather Service forecast operations, nor maintenance support, at this time — but final determinations would be sought from the Department of Commerce.
Wielgos said efforts will remain the same in her office.
Follow the NWS at weather.gov for more information.
FULL DISCUSSION:
