Alert archive / Kentucky / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 165, NWS Louisville, KY

August 18, 20204 counties in Kentucky

NWS Louisville, KY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 18, 2020, 3:57 PM EDT for 4 counties in Kentucky. It was in force for 33 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 18, 2020, 3:57 PM EDT (19:57 UTC)
Expired
Aug 18, 2020, 4:30 PM EDT
In force
33 min
Issued by
NWS Louisville, KY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Anderson County, KY, Franklin County, KY, Shelby County, KY, Woodford County, KY

The radar

The Louisville radar (KLVX), 88 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:57 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 12:00Z, 8.0 hours before the alert went out and 176 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 12:00Z on 2020-08-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 12:00Z on 2020-08-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 15 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1368 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
27 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
15 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
63 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Louisville, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Aug 18, 3:11 PM EDT, 46 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 18, 3:11 PM EDT, 46 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
311 PM EDT Tue Aug 18 2020

.Short Term...(This evening through Wednesday)
Issued at 305 PM EDT Tue Aug 18 2020

Sfc low pressure over southwest Indiana will continue to move
southeast through central KY this evening along with an upper level
shortwave. Scattered to numerous showers and storms are expected to
continue over the area through this evening.

Most of central and eastern KY were in the low's warm
sector this afternoon with 2000-2500 j/kg of CAPE present and an
axis of 900-1000 j/kg of DCAPE east of I-65.  20-25 kts of effective
bulk shear was in place with steep low and mid levels on soundings.
These parameters would indicate strong wind and small hail threats
in any storms today.  Although PWATs aren't unusually high (1.5"
max), storms were focusing near the warm front of this low pressure
system over southern Indiana and north central Kentucky which could
causing some training of cells and an isolated flood threat.
Certainly heavy downpours are likely in any storms.

CAMs agree that showers/storms will diminish in coverage and
intensity toward late evening with a dry period expected overnight.
Portions of southern Indiana may see only partly cloudy skies
tonight resulting in lows dropping into the upper 50s to low 60s.
Central Kentucky should remain partly to mostly cloudy with lows
holding in the lower 60s.

For Wednesday, expect a baggy upper trough to hang over the lower
Ohio Valley and sfc high pressure to our north over the Upper
Midwest. The high pressure will bring a decent cap into portions of
southern Indiana and north central KY.  However, only weak capping
is expected over southern KY into portions of east central KY with
modest instability forecast to develop by mid day.  Shear will be
meager but enough forcing may be there for a few showers/storms to
develop during the afternoon/evening hours over southern KY/east
central KY.  With northeast flow in the low levels over most of the
region, high temps will be cooler than normal for mid Aug with highs
in the upper 70s/lower 80s.

&&

.Long Term...(Wednesday night through Tuesday)
Issued at 245 PM EDT Tue Aug 18 2020

To start the long term period, expect to find an upper level trough
axis positioned across the lower MS Valley and up into the OH
Valley, with a weak low centered over western TN. At the surface, a
large area of high pressure will remain situated to our north.
Overall, expect Thursday to be another relatively quiet day for most
of the region, with high temperatures reaching into the lower to mid
80s. However, as southerly flow on the southeast side of the trough
helps pull some Gulf moisture up into the area, may see some
afternoon showers and storms develop over south-eastern portions of
KY. Overnight temperatures Thursday night are progged to be in the
lower to mid 60s.

As we move into the weekend, the weak upper-level trough/low is
progged to lift northeastward across the region. This will bring
increased chances for showers and storms across the area on Friday
and Saturday, with the best coverage during the afternoon hours.
Models then begin to diverge as we move into the Sunday and beyond
timeframe. For now, general thinking is that shower and storm
chances may continue into Sunday as the upper trough axis exits to
the east, with generally drier conditions expected for the beginning
of next week as the subtropical high pressure off the east coast
expands over the region. High temperatures will start off in the
lower to mid 80s, then gradually warm into mid to upper 80s as we
move into next week. Low temperatures will remain in the mid to
upper 60s.

&&

.Aviation...(18Z TAF Issuance)
Issued at 130 PM EDT Tue Aug 18 2020

Scattered to at times numerous showers and storms are expected over
the area this afternoon and evening courtesy of a sfc low and cold
front passing through the region.  Have included VCTS at all TAF
sites through this evening and added tempo groups at SDF/LEX which
are most likely to see a t-storm with reduced flight conditions in
the 18-22Z time frame.  After sunset, convection will weaken and
begin to diminish in coverage.  Winds will become predominantly from
the NE tonight and remain elevated in the 5-7 kt range behind the
departing sfc low/cold front.  A few of the short range models also
indicate low cigs could develop at BWG/LEX during the pre-dawn hours
so have included an MVFR group late tonight into tomorrow morning
for those sites.  VFR conditions are expected to return for all TAF
sites around or after sunrise tomorrow.

&&

.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IN...None.
KY...None.
&&

Short Term...AMS
Long Term...JML
Aviation...AMS
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 18, 3:26 PM EDT, 31 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Louisville KY
326 PM EDT Tue Aug 18 2020

INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067-
070>078-081-082-191930-
Orange-Washington-Scott-Jefferson-Dubois-Crawford-Perry-Harrison-
Floyd-Clark-Hancock-Breckinridge-Meade-Ohio-Grayson-Hardin-Bullitt-
Oldham-Trimble-Henry-Shelby-Franklin-Spencer-Anderson-Woodford-
Fayette-Bourbon-Nicholas-Nelson-Mercer-Jessamine-Larue-Marion-Boyle-
Garrard-Madison-Butler-Edmonson-Hart-Green-Taylor-Casey-Lincoln-
Logan-Warren-Simpson-Allen-Barren-Monroe-Metcalfe-Adair-Russell-
Cumberland-Clinton-
Including the cities of Paoli, Salem, Scottsburg, Madison, Jasper,
English, Tell City, Corydon, New Albany, Jeffersonville, Lewisport,
Hawesville, Hardinsburg, Brandenburg, Hartford, Leitchfield,
Elizabethtown, Shepherdsville, Louisville, La Grange, Bedford,
Milton, New Castle, Shelbyville, Frankfort, Georgetown, Cynthiana,
Taylorsville, Lawrenceburg, Versailles, Lexington, Paris, Carlisle,
Bardstown, Springfield, Harrodsburg, Nicholasville, Winchester,
Hodgenville, Lebanon, Danville, Lancaster, Richmond, Morgantown,
Brownsville, Horse Cave, Greensburg, Campbellsville, Liberty,
Stanford, Russellville, Bowling Green, Franklin, Providence,
Scottsville, Glasgow, Tompkinsville, Edmonton, Columbia, Jamestown,
Burkesville, and Albany
326 PM EDT Tue Aug 18 2020 /226 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2020/

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central
Indiana and Central Kentucky.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Scattered to numerous storms are expected through this evening,
especially over southern Indiana and north central Kentucky. Locally
heavy downpours, strong gusty winds and small hail will be the main
threats. Storms will taper off from north to south this evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible each afternoon
from Wednesday through the weekend, especially across south central
Kentucky. The greatest coverage will be on Friday and Saturday. The
main hazards will be brief heavy rainfall and lightning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are welcome to report gusty winds, hail and flooding this
afternoon.

AMS/JML

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 18, 2:53 PM EDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
253 PM EDT TUE AUG 18 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0222 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 W FRANKFORT           38.19N 84.89W
08/18/2020                   FRANKLIN           KY   BROADCAST MEDIA

            REPORT RELAYED BY BROADCAST MEDIA OF LARGE
            TREE BRANCH SNAPPED IN JUNIPER HILLS PARK IN
            FRANKFORT. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

&&

DM
Special weather statement, Aug 18, 2:56 PM EDT, 1 hour 1 minute before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
256 PM EDT Tue Aug 18 2020

KYZ036-037-040>042-181930-
Bourbon-Scott-Woodford-Fayette-Harrison-
256 PM EDT Tue Aug 18 2020

...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT EAST CENTRAL
WOODFORD...EASTERN SCOTT...WESTERN BOURBON...NORTHERN FAYETTE AND
HARRISON COUNTIES...

At 256 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from 10 miles south of Williamstown to 6 miles
northeast of Georgetown to near Meadowthorpe. Movement was east at 25
mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with these
storms.

Locations impacted include...
Lexington, Georgetown, Paris, Cynthiana, Meadowthorpe, Thoroughbred
Acres, Highlands, Breckinridge, Sadieville and Berry.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

LAT...LON 3808 8440 3805 8468 3825 8453 3847 8459
      3849 8456 3851 8450 3851 8449 3854 8448
      3853 8446 3854 8443 3856 8442 3857 8441
      3856 8439 3858 8426 3830 8420
TIME...MOT...LOC 1856Z 258DEG 20KT 3849 8451 3827 8445 3811 8460

DM
Special weather statement, Aug 18, 3:04 PM EDT, 53 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
304 PM EDT Tue Aug 18 2020

INZ084-090-181930-
Crawford-Harrison-
304 PM EDT Tue Aug 18 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN HARRISON AND EAST
CENTRAL CRAWFORD COUNTIES...

At 304 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Carefree Town,
moving southeast at 10 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Milltown, New Salisbury, Moberly, White Cloud, Depauw, Fairdale,
Ramsey and Frenchtown.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

LAT...LON 3827 8635 3836 8627 3833 8606 3817 8620
TIME...MOT...LOC 1904Z 298DEG 8KT 3827 8628

DM
Special weather statement, Aug 18, 3:42 PM EDT, 15 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Aug 18, 3:44 PM EDT, 13 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Aug 18, 3:46 PM EDT, 11 minutes before
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The office that day

Everything else NWS Louisville, KY issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 18, 12:34 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKOldham26 min
Aug 18, 12:40 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKHarrison35 min
Aug 18, 12:47 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKHenry28 min
Aug 18, 1:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKShelby29 min
Aug 18, 1:28 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKTrimble32 min
Aug 18, 1:33 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKShelby27 min
Aug 18, 1:40 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKNicholas35 min
Aug 18, 2:02 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKFranklin28 min
Aug 18, 2:07 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKNicholas23 min
Aug 18, 2:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKFranklin, Scott, Woodford36 min
Aug 18, 2:32 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLMKNicholas3 hr
Aug 18, 2:56 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKHarrison34 min
Aug 18, 3:12 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKBourbon, Harrison, Nicholas58 min
Aug 18, 3:42 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKBourbon33 min
Aug 18, 3:46 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKAnderson29 min
Aug 18, 4:04 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKHancock41 min
Aug 18, 4:18 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKWoodford27 min
Aug 18, 4:24 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLMKAnderson, Franklin, Woodford3 hr
Aug 18, 4:35 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKJessamine25 min
Aug 18, 4:49 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLMKMeade3 hr
Aug 18, 5:06 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKMeade24 min
Aug 18, 5:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKOhio28 min
Aug 18, 5:29 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKMeade31 min
Aug 18, 5:46 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKGrayson29 min
Aug 18, 5:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKGrayson38 min
Aug 18, 6:10 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKButler35 min
Aug 18, 6:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKGrayson, Hardin, Hart34 min
Aug 18, 6:46 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKLarue29 min
Aug 18, 7:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKEdmonson29 min
Aug 18, 7:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKGreen40 min
Aug 18, 7:21 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKWarren24 min
Aug 18, 7:34 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKGreen26 min
Aug 18, 7:42 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKBarren33 min
Aug 18, 12:48 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKJefferson27 min
Aug 18, 2:16 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKFloyd29 min
Aug 18, 2:28 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKCrawford32 min
Aug 18, 2:33 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKCrawford27 min
Aug 18, 2:45 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLMKCrawford, Harrison, Orange, Perry, Washington3 hr
Aug 18, 2:49 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKFloyd26 min
Aug 18, 3:04 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKHarrison26 min
Aug 18, 3:39 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningLMKCrawford, Harrison, Orange, Washington2 hr
Aug 18, 3:44 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKDubois31 min
Aug 18, 4:09 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLMKDubois, Perry3 hr
Aug 18, 4:10 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKHarrison50 min
Aug 18, 4:38 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKDubois37 min
Aug 18, 4:41 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKPerry34 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Kentucky, 2020Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2020

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.