LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Buckle up. Kentucky is about to experience one of the most dramatic weather swings of the season as spring and winter collide over the next 24 hours, bringing severe storms this evening, followed by a wild cold crash and snow.

The severe weather threat takes center stage today. A powerful cold front is racing from the Plains toward Kentucky, and it’s bringing a line of severe storms that could pack a serious punch — especially across western Kentucky this evening.

The Severe Threat: Damaging Winds and Tornadoes Possible

Temperatures will surge into the 70s across the state today, but don’t get too comfortable. Winds are already cranking up, with gusts reaching 40 to 50 mph this afternoon and evening as the storm system approaches.

When that line of severe storms arrives in western Kentucky this evening, damaging winds will be the main threat. But the Storm Prediction Center is also highlighting the possibility of a few tornadoes within this line, with the greatest tornado threat in western Kentucky.

The severe weather won’t stay in the west for long. The entire line will race eastward through central and eastern Kentucky during the late evening and early morning hours of Monday. Damaging winds remain a major threat as it moves east, though the line will weaken somewhat as it pushes toward the mountains. Still, some wind damage is possible even in eastern Kentucky.

Here’s what happens next: temperatures ahead of the front are sitting in the 65 to 70-degree range. Once that cold front passes, expect a dramatic temperature drop of 20 to 30 degrees in just one hour. Behind the front, snow showers and flurries will begin to develop.

Monday: From Flurries to Possible Snow Squalls

Monday will be a completely different story. Temperatures will continue to plummet from west to east, with most areas staying in the upper 20s and low 30s. Factor in the wind, and it’ll feel like the teens with dangerous wind chills.

Snow showers and flurries will be common across the state, especially in central and eastern Kentucky. A few snow squalls can’t be ruled out — and here’s something unusual: one or two of these snow squalls may actually produce a little thunder.

Some light slush may show up on grassy and elevated surfaces throughout the day. We are watching closely for a band of enhanced snow trying to develop across eastern Kentucky. If that develops as expected, a slushy accumulation — what we’re calling a “slushy thumper” — would be possible.

Monday Night Into Tuesday: Slick Conditions Possible

A few snow showers and flurries will continue Monday night with light accumulations possible. Temperatures will drop into the teens, which means bridges and overpasses could become slick. Wind chills will reach the single digits by Tuesday morning — dangerously cold.

Looking ahead: The cold snap is temporary. Temperatures will start to rebound on Wednesday with a slight chance of rain or snow showers early in the day. Milder winds move in, pushing temperatures into the 60s Thursday, the 70s Friday, and possibly the 80s next weekend.

Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – All six crew members of a KC-135 refueling aircraft that crashed while supporting operations against Iran are dead, the U.S. military said Friday.

The Department of War announced that 34-year-old Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt of Bardstown was among the six killed. She was assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.

The DOW identified the other five Airmen as:

• Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama
• Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington
• Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana
• Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio
• Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio

U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, said the crash in western Iraq on Thursday followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in “friendly airspace” and that the other plane landed safely.

The crash brings the U.S. death toll in Operation Epic Fury to at least 13 service members, with the seven others killed in combat. About 140 U.S. service members have been injured, including eight severely, the Pentagon said earlier this week.

The KC-135 has been in service for more than 60 years and has been involved in several fatal accidents, most recently in 2013. Adding to concerns about their reliability, the aircraft don’t always carry parachutes.

Here’s what is known so far about the tanker, which is the fourth U.S. military aircraft publicly acknowledged to have crashed since the war against Iran began on Feb. 28:

Cause of crash not immediately known

U.S. Central Command said the circumstances of the crash are under investigation but that the loss of the aircraft was “not due to hostile or friendly fire.”

A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the developing situation, said the other plane involved was also a KC-135. Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., wrote on X that the other plane landed safely in Israel.

Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon on Friday morning that the crash occurred “over friendly territory in western Iraq, while the crew was on a combat mission” and reiterated that hostile or friendly fire was not the cause.

Speaking at the same news conference, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the crew heroes.

“War is hell. War is chaos,” Hegseth said. “And as we saw yesterday with the tragic crash of our KC-135 tanker, bad things can happen. American heroes, all of them.”

Hegseth and Caine spoke to reporters before the deaths of the six crew member had been made public.

Yang Uk, a security expert at South Korea’s Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said it would be rare for a refueling tanker to be downed by enemy fire because such operations are usually conducted in the rear of combat zones.

Last week, three U.S. F-15E fighter jets were mistakenly downed by friendly Kuwaiti fire. All six crew members ejected safely.

The KC-135 is a long-serving tanker plane

The KC-135 Stratotanker is a U.S. Air Force aircraft used to refuel other planes in midair, allowing them to fly longer distances and sustain operations without landing. The plane is also used to transport wounded personnel during medical evacuations or conduct surveillance missions, according to military experts.

“The last of these planes were produced in the 1960s,” Yang said.

Based on the same design as the Boeing 707 passenger plane, the KC-135 is set to be gradually phased out as more of the next-generation KC-46A Pegasus tankers enter service.

According to the Congressional Research Service, the Air Force last year had 376 KC-135s, including 151 on active duty, 163 in the Air National Guard and 62 in the Air Force Reserve.

A basic KC-135 crew consists of three people: a pilot, co-pilot and boom operator. Nurses and medical technicians are added in aeromedical evacuation missions.

Refueling typically happens at the back of the plane, where the boom operator is located. A fuel boom is lowered to connect with fighters, bombers or other aircraft. On many of the planes, the boom operator works lying face down while looking out of a window on the underside of the plane.

Some KC-135s can also refuel planes from pods on their wings. The tankers have room to carry cargo or passengers if needed.

Refueling tankers could play an increasingly important role if the Iran war drags on, as U.S. aircraft may need to fly longer missions to pursue Iranian forces retreating deeper into the country, said Yang.

Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.

One of the first things Kentucky football fans learned about Will Stein was his motto, “Feed the Studs.” His offensive ideology is simple. Get the ball in your playmakers and let them cook.

The next question was, “Who will be these studs?” Kentucky prioritized trench players in the transfer portal. DeAndre Moore Jr. was a stud the Wildcats targeted, but when he ultimately followed his former recruiter to Colorado, it left many Kentucky fans wondering if the Wildcats had enough stud wide receivers to feed. Quarterback Kenny Minchey believes he has more than enough weapons in his arsenal.

“I feel like I say this every day, but I feel like we have a really good, really deep wide receiver room,” Minchey said after Kentucky’s second spring practice. “We have a lot of fast, twitchy guys, and I feel like that ranges throughout the entire room. I don’t think there’s a fall off, honestly. Also, there’s a few guys who can high-point the ball for sure, and then some long-range guys that will definitely help on Saturdays.”

Nic Anderson is the primary newcomer you need to know, but he’s not the only one. The former Oklahoma and LSU pass-catcher was Dillon Gabriel’s favorite target in Norman. He definitely fits the mold of a guy who can high-point the football. Before spring practice began, Anderson spent a ton of time cultivating a relationship with his quarterback.

“He’s always putting that ball in the right spot. Shoot, if he misses, I’ll let you know,” said Anderson.

Kentucky spring practice coverage is brought to you by Lexington Podiatry, Central Kentucky’s trusted source for podiatric care for over 2 decades. Their goal is to diagnose early, treat fast, and improve your quality of life. From sports injuries to chronic conditions, let them get you back on the right foot.

Early Spring Practice Standouts

When Minchey was asked which wide receivers have popped in spring practice, he shared a surprising response: Brock Coffman. The Lexington native was lightly recruited out of Sayre High School before spending one season at Louisville. When he transferred to Kentucky, it didn’t move the needle, but he’s done just that during his first days of spring practice.

“On day one, he had a few big catches, which I was expecting that, but his background, his history, I don’t think a lot of people are expecting that, but he’s a really good athlete. He’s made a lot of plays already,” said Minchey.

The Kentucky quarterback shared one other name, Shane Carr. The California native was a high school quarterback, who quickly picked up the wide receiver position at the FCS level, leading Southern Utah in receiving during each of his first two years of college football.

“He’s very athletic, really good receiver, very fundamentally sound, so he’s gonna be really good too,” said Minchey.

He’s taking a step up in competition, but offensive coordinator Joe Sloan sees the tools and traits of a pass-catcher who can excel in the SEC.

“Shane was extremely productive at his previous school. I think he has a lot of fluidity. He catches the ball really well. He’s an intelligent player, so he can play outside and inside,” said Sloan.

“He can do a lot of different things, move around. No matter what position you play, you’re going to move around. He can get up in the air, and really make a lot of plays right up in the air, in terms of his body control. That’s what I like to see him carry over…. So I’m excited for him. He’s been great. I think he’s assimilating really well to the team and the environment and the level (of play), so it’s been good.”

A Key Returner for Kentucky

While most Kentucky fans are more interested in what the newcomers are bringing to the table, there are a few returners who can be impact performers on Saturdays. DJ Miller was one of the most decorated players in Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class. After missing the first half of the season with a soft tissue injury, he was a difference-maker down the stretch. In six games, he caught 13 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns, including a 56-yard score vs. Tennessee.

A lengthy, 6-foot-3 athlete, Miller fits the prototype of an outside wide receiver. Sloan believes he can be much more than that. Miller has surprised Anderson during the transfer’s first few months on campus.

“Coming in, I heard that he was a little bit more nonchalant, but he’s really stepped into a leadership role alongside with me, and he’s been a real important voice in that room,” said Anderson. “Obviously a bigger body, very physical, goes up and gets the ball, attacks it, and that’s something we need in this offense for sure.”

This Kentucky wide receiver room is far from a finished product. This spring’s objective is to create chemistry with Kenny Minchey. It’s a process, one that will hopefully manifest in more than enough studs for Minchey to feed this fall.