National Weather ServiceKentuckyTornado WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Watches in Kentucky
The National Weather Service issued 32 tornado watches for Kentucky in 2025 and 18 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 12th most of any state. 2026 through September: 12, 25% below the average of 16 for those months in 2008-2025. Ballard was covered most often (134 times since 2008).
How many tornado watches does Kentucky get?
Every tornado watch that covered part of Kentucky. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 12 |
| 2025 | 32 |
| 2024 | 27 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2011 | 39 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2009 | 24 |
| 2008 | 28 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Kentucky get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Kentucky?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballard | 134 | 32 | June 26, 2026 |
| McCracken | 133 | 33 | June 26, 2026 |
| Carlisle | 129 | 29 | June 26, 2026 |
| Livingston | 129 | 33 | June 26, 2026 |
| Crittenden | 127 | 33 | June 26, 2026 |
| Hickman | 127 | 29 | June 26, 2026 |
| Daviess | 126 | 35 | June 26, 2026 |
| Henderson | 126 | 35 | June 26, 2026 |
| Calloway | 125 | 33 | June 26, 2026 |
| Graves | 125 | 29 | June 26, 2026 |
| Muhlenberg | 125 | 36 | June 26, 2026 |
| Webster | 125 | 32 | June 26, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a tornado watch?
Tornado watches come from the NWS Storm Prediction Center when thunderstorms able to produce tornadoes are possible over a large area, usually for several hours; local offices list the counties it covers. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Kentucky.