Alert archive / Kentucky / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 77, NWS Paducah, KY

April 8, 20205 counties in Kentucky

NWS Paducah, KY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 8, 2020, 6:46 PM CDT for 5 counties in Kentucky. It was in force for 44 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
Apr 8, 2020, 6:46 PM CDT (23:46 UTC)
Expired
Apr 8, 2020, 7:30 PM CDT
In force
44 min
Issued by
NWS Paducah, KY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Ballard County, KY, Carlisle County, KY, Graves County, KY, Hickman County, KY, McCracken County, KY

The radar

The Paducah radar (KPAH), 23 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:46 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 watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 8, 4:24 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), launched 12:00Z, 11.8 hours before the alert went out and 218 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, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 2020-04-08Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 312 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 2020-04-08The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 161 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
312 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-79 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
626 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
47 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
161 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
142 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.3

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 Paducah, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Apr 8, 3:50 PM CDT, 2 hours 56 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 8, 3:50 PM CDT, 2 hours 56 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Paducah KY
350 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

.SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Friday night)
Issued at 318 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

The primary concern in the near term remains the period of
thunderstorms and potential for severe weather this evening. Our
focus then turns to gusty post frontal winds tonight, followed by
the potential for frost Thursday night and Friday night.

Low pressure over northwest Illinois this afternoon is forecast to
track east across Indiana this evening, dragging a strong cold
front across the forecast area through the evening. Strong forcing
along and ahead of the front in combination with a very unstable
atmosphere will result in the development of thunderstorms by late
afternoon and early evening. Latest CAM guidance suggests initial
development will be in the form of discrete cells or line segments
mainly across southeast Missouri and southern Illinois. The
activity should congeal into a squall line as it progresses east
southeast into southwest Indiana and western Kentucky through the
evening. Large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes will be
possible early on, with a transition to more of a damaging wind
threat as the activity becomes more linear and progresses across
the area. Given the steep mid level lapse rates, strong deep layer
shear, and substantial instability, very large hail and widespread
damaging winds are possible.

Most of the thunderstorm activity should be southeast of the area
by midnight, with a rapid decrease in cloud cover overnight. The
remainder of the short term period will be dry and much cooler as
Canadian high pressure builds southeast across the Plains into the
Mississippi Valley. In the wake of the front overnight, strong
gradient winds are possible, with sustained northwest winds of 15
to 25 mph and gusts of 30 to 40 mph. After highs in the 80s today,
highs on Thursday are only expected to reach the upper 50s and
lower 60s, followed by middle to upper 50s on Friday. Lows
Thursday night are forecast in the middle 30s. At this time, it
appears as though winds should stay elevated enough to mitigate
much in the way of frost development Thursday night. Will need to
monitor frost potential Friday night over portions of southwest
Indiana and the Kentucky Pennyrile if clouds are slow enough to
increase ahead of the next weather system.

.LONG TERM...(Saturday through Wednesday)
Issued at 350 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

Though light showers or sprinkles may occur Sat morning due to a
minor mid level disturbance, PoPs are expected to ramp up Sat night
and Sun as a low pressure system arrives from the southwestern
CONUS. There should be enough low level moisture advection ahead of
this system to produce nearly an inch of rainfall in the southern
Pennyrile region, and lesser amounts farther to the northwest. Tstms
are possible, especially during times of deepest moisture and lift
(late Sunday). There were some timing differences in the medium
range models with this system, but the best guess at this time is
that the nearly stacked system will be moving off toward the
northeast Sun night.

For the first half of next week, the PAH forecast area will be under
relatively cool cyclonic flow aloft and increasing surface pressure.
This pattern will tend to generate quite a bit of cloudiness at
times, but measurable pcpn does not appear likely at all. Perhaps
there may be some sprinkles as disturbances move through the flow
aloft. The NBM still tended to leave slight PoPs in the forecast Mon
and Tue, at least. This was blended with a small amount drier 12Z
ECMWF data. It may be cool enough for frost Wed morning (Day 7), if
clouds clear out enough.

&&

.AVIATION...
Issued at 1239 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

Once MVFR ceilings clear western Kentucky this afternoon, VFR
conditions are expected through the majority of the forecast
period. The main exception is with the line of thunderstorms
expected to accompany the passage of a cold front this evening.
The storms will likely result in a reduction in ceilings and
visibilities to at least MVFR for an hour or two at each terminal,
along with the potential for strong to severe wind gusts and
large hail. South/southwest winds around 10 knots or less this
afternoon will shift to the northwest 10 to 20 knots with some
gusts pushing 30 knots tonight. Northwest winds will subside
somewhat on Thursday, but will remain gusty.

&&

.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...None.
MO...None.
IN...None.
KY...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...RJP
LONG TERM...DB
AVIATION...RJP
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 8, 3:35 AM CDT, 15 hours 11 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
335 AM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-090845-
Jefferson-Wayne IL-Edwards-Wabash-Perry IL-Franklin-Hamilton-
White-Jackson-Williamson-Saline-Gallatin-Union-Johnson-Pope-
Hardin-Alexander-Pulaski-Massac-Gibson-Pike-Posey-Vanderburgh-
Warrick-Spencer-Fulton-Hickman-Carlisle-Ballard-McCracken-Graves-
Livingston-Marshall-Calloway-Crittenden-Lyon-Trigg-Caldwell-
Union KY-Webster-Hopkins-Christian-Henderson-Daviess-McLean-
Muhlenberg-Todd-Perry MO-Bollinger-Cape Girardeau-Wayne MO-Carter-
Ripley-Butler-Stoddard-Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid-
335 AM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

...Potential Outbreak Of Severe Thunderstorms Very Late Today and
Tonight...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

The potential for an outbreak of severe thunderstorms has
increased, mainly during the evening hours. Scattered
thunderstorms are forecast to move into southern Illinois and
southeast Missouri very late this afternoon or early this evening.
The storms are forecast to become numerous as they move east-
southeast across the entire region this evening.

Conditions will be favorable for large hail, possibly golf ball
size in the strongest storms. Locally damaging winds and a few
tornadoes will be possible. The Storm Prediction Center has placed
our region within an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms.

Locally heavy rain could result in isolated flooding problems
apart from the ongoing river flooding. Refer to flood statements
for ongoing minor to moderate flooding on the Mississippi and
lower Ohio Rivers.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

A small chance of thunderstorms is forecast over much of the region
late Saturday night through Sunday evening. Locally heavy rainfall
and lightning will be the primary concerns.

Minor to moderate flooding will persist on the Mississippi and
lower Ohio Rivers.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be requested this evening.

MY/DRS

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 8, 6:18 PM CDT, 28 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
618 PM CDT WED APR 8 2020

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

0614 PM     HAIL             PINCKNEYVILLE           38.08N 89.38W
04/08/2020  E1.50 INCH       PERRY              IL   PUBLIC

&&
Local storm report, Apr 8, 6:25 PM CDT, 21 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
625 PM CDT WED APR 8 2020

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

0623 PM     HAIL             PERRYVILLE              37.73N 89.87W
04/08/2020  M0.88 INCH       PERRY              MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

DWS
Local storm report, Apr 8, 6:33 PM CDT, 13 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
633 PM CDT WED APR 8 2020

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

0625 PM     HAIL             4 W DU QUOIN            38.00N 89.31W
04/08/2020  M1.00 INCH       PERRY              IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

&&
Local storm report, Apr 8, 6:36 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
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Local storm report, Apr 8, 6:40 PM CDT, 6 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
640 PM CDT WED APR 8 2020

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

0639 PM     HAIL             UNIONTOWN               37.62N 89.71W
04/08/2020  M1.00 INCH       PERRY              MO   EMERGENCY MNGR

&&
Local storm report, Apr 8, 6:46 PM CDT, 0 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
646 PM CDT WED APR 8 2020

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

0645 PM     HAIL             SIKESTON                36.88N 89.58W
04/08/2020  M1.00 INCH       SCOTT              MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 8, 6:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHBallard44 min
Apr 8, 5:16 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementPAHPerry44 min
Apr 8, 5:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHPerry49 min
Apr 8, 5:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHJackson, Perry46 min
Apr 8, 6:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHPerry32 min
Apr 8, 6:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHJackson, Union44 min
Apr 8, 6:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHAlexander, Union23 min
Apr 8, 5:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHBollinger, Wayne47 min
Apr 8, 5:30 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPAHBollinger3 hr
Apr 8, 5:51 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningPAHBollinger3 hr
Apr 8, 6:04 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHBollinger, Cape Girardeau, Scott, Stoddard41 min
Apr 8, 6:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHBollinger, Perry34 min
Apr 8, 6:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHCarter, Ripley41 min
Apr 8, 6:22 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPAHCape Girardeau, Scott3 hr
Apr 8, 6:34 PM CDTTornado WarningPAHCape Girardeau, Perry14 min
Apr 8, 6:50 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHMississippi, New Madrid, Scott40 min
Apr 8, 6:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHButler, Carter, Ripley25 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.