Alert archive / Kentucky / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2022

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 122, NWS Louisville, KY

May 21, 2022Franklin County, Scott County, Kentucky

NWS Louisville, KY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 21, 2022, 2:24 PM EDT for Franklin County, Scott County, Kentucky. It was in force for 36 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
May 21, 2022, 2:24 PM EDT (18:24 UTC)
Expired
May 21, 2022, 3:00 PM EDT
In force
36 min
Issued by
NWS Louisville, KY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Franklin County, KY, Scott County, KY

The radar

The Louisville radar (KLVX), 111 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:27 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
May 21, 1:51 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 12:00Z, 6.4 hours before the alert went out and 153 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 2022-05-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 808 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, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 12:00Z on 2022-05-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 152 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
808 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-174 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1154 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
18 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
152 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
147 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 May 21, 2:13 PM EDT, 11 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 21, 2:13 PM EDT, 11 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
213 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022

.Mesoscale Update...
Issued at 213 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022

Just finished a call with SPC and WW254 has been issued for all of
southern Indiana and portions of northern KY until 21/23Z (700 pm
EDT).  We just updated our suite of products to account for the new
watch and those products have already been sent.

Two areas of convection we're watching at the moment.  The first is
moving out toward the US 27/127 corridor.  This activity is moving
through an area with surface temps in the lower to middle 80s with
dewpoints in the lower 70s.  This results in about 2500-3000 J/kg of
MLCAPE.  However bulk wind shear is very limited in this area.  As
such, the convection is producing locally heavy rainfall, wind gusts
to 40-45 mph and perhaps some small hail in some of the stronger
cores.  In addition, frequent lightning is being observed.  This
convection is likely to remain sub-severe due to the lack of
vertical wind shear as it continues to move eastward through the
Bluegrass region over the next 1-2 hours.

The second area of convection is in the form of a line just now
crossing the IN/IL border.  This line is expected to continue to
move to the east at 40-45 mph.  The line has instability to work
with out ahead of it with MLCAPE values in the 2500-3000 J/kg range.
However deep layer shear remains very week with the best shear
remaining well west and behind the frontal boundary across south-
central MO. Best 0-6km shear looks to remain north of the river
through the afternoon while shear down across western KY and into NW
TN is expected to remain quite weak.  0-6km shear vectors are
roughly parallel to the southern edge of the line, but align a bit
more perpendicular up along the northern edge of the line.  Given
the atmospheric setup ahead of the line, damaging winds will be the
primary threat.  A few instances of near severe hail are possible.
The tornado threat is non-zero, but we will continue to watch for
bowing segments on the northern edge of the line where the 0-6km
shear has a better angle there for some episodic spin ups.

Issued at 120 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022

Scattered convection has developed mainly along and east of I-65
where convective temperatures have been reached and co-incident with
a plume of higher moisture.  VWP from KLVX show unidirectional low-
level flow with 0-3km shear around 15 knots and 0-6km shear less
than 30 knots.  Mesoanalysis suggest MLCAPE values are in the 2500-
3000 J/kg range.  So again, we're in a decent instability but low
shear environment.

Going over the next few hours, we should see some additional
scattered development east of the I-65 area.  Again, instability is
decent, but shear is weak and multi-cellular pulse type convection
is most likely.  HRRR proximity soundings show increasing DCAPE
values through the afternoon.  Wet bulb zero levels are high while
mid-level lapse rates are still steep.  Given the increasing DCAPE
values damaging winds would be the primary threat, though some very
isolated near severe hail could occur within the strongest cores.

Strengthening line of convection out across southern IL will likely
sweep east-northeastward and affect primarily our southern Indiana
counties, though some southward development into western KY and
portions of north-central KY seems reasonable given the developing
unstable airmass.  Given the linear structure already, primary
threats would be damaging wind gusts.

&&

.Short Term...(Today and tonight)
Issued at 249 AM EDT Sat May 21 2022

...Summerlike temps and t'storms...

A cold front stretching from the Great Lakes through the American
Bottom to the Texas Hill Country will move very little today as it
runs up against the western edge of a sprawling Bermuda High with an
extension reaching back into the southeast United States. In our
position between these two features we'll have another breezy and
very warm day with enough sunshine to pull temperatures into the
upper 80s to around 90 once again.

As the mercury surpasses convective temperatures in the middle 80s,
scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon as
moderate to strong instability develops and precipitable water
values remain over 1.50". Will have to watch to see if a small vort
max will eject from deep convection over the Ozarks this morning and
possibly enhance storm development here towards evening as it heads
this way, as advertised by the GFS and NAM.

Deep layer shear and mid-level flow will be just enough to support
multi-cellular convection this afternoon. Wet bulb zero heights will
be rather high and, combined with the weak shear, argue against the
likelihood of widespread large hail. Still, the strongest storms
with the most robust updrafts will be capable of producing hail
given a largely unsaturated sounding.

Gusty thunderstorm winds will also be possible given dry air in the
mid levels, especially in conjunction with the heaviest downpours.
DCAPEs are progged to be around 1000 J/kg.

Instability will wane tonight, along with unimpressive shear
continuing, leading to decreasing severe chances as we go through
the night. However, that cold front to our west will move in and
keep the chance of showers and thunderstorms going. The front will
be draped across central Kentucky by dawn Sunday, ushering in much
cooler temperatures. Lows Sunday morning should be in the middle 60s
ahead of the boundary and the upper 50s behind it over southwest
Indiana.

.Long Term...(Sunday through Friday)
Issued at 315 AM EDT Sat May 21 2022

Precipitation chances will begin to taper off from NW to SE on
Sunday as the surface cold front pushes east of the area, with CAM
guidance suggesting mostly dry weather will prevail for locations
along and west of I-65. Lingering showers and rumbles of thunder may
continue into the afternoon for locations east of I-65 before coming
to an end by Sunday evening. Temperatures will be notably cooler
Sunday in the wake of the front with NWly flow in the lower-levels
along with continued mid- and high-clouds streaming overhead. High
temperatures are expected to range from the upper 60s to mid 70s,
roughly 20 degrees cooler than the forecasted high temps for today.
Overnight lows into Monday morning will be seasonably cool in the
lower to mid 50s.

Mostly dry weather is then expected for Monday and into the first
part of Tuesday as surface high pressure drifts eastward across the
OH Valley/Great Lakes region. Some low-end PoPs will be maintained
across east- and south-central KY as weak shortwave energy ripples
through the flow aloft in the vicinity of the frontal boundary to
our south and east. Temperatures will be a touch warmer with highs
in the lower to mid 70s across the area.

For the Tuesday through Thursday time frame, the weather pattern
will become a bit more active as a series of shortwaves carves out a
broad longwave trough over the central CONUS, with a closed upper
low expected to lift NE out of the mid MS Valley and into the Upper
Great Lakes region Thursday into Friday. As a result, expect
multiple waves of surface low pressure to lift NE out of the
Southern Plains and through the mid MS Valley and OH Valley during
the mid week time frame. Precipitation chances will begin to ramp up
Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night and then continue through
Wednesday and Thursday before tapering off on Friday as the upper
trough pulls northeast of the region. Showers and storms will be
possible throughout this time frame, with some of the storms
potentially being strong to severe (mainly looking at Wednesday and
Thursday afternoon and evening at this time). Localized flooding
issues may become possible as well with repeated rounds of rainfall
tracking over the area.

&&

.Aviation...(18Z TAF Issuance)
Issued at 114 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022

IMPACTS:
 - Showers and thunderstorms
 - Low cigs Sunday morning

DISCUSSION:

Convection has started to develop just east of I-65 within a zone
where convective temperatures have been reached along with a passing
outflow boundary from previous convection.  Given building
instability, scattered storms will be possible east of a BWG/SDF
line through the afternoon.  Slow moving cold front out to the west
will continue to push eastward.  Additional convection will develop
along this front and push into the area this afternoon/evening.
Highest risk of severe still looks to be at KHNB/KSDF with a lesser
threat at KLEX/KBWG.  Convection will diminish later tonight with
low clouds/MVFR conditions developing with scattered rain showers
around.

CONFIDENCE:

Low-medium on all elements.

&&

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

Mesoscale....MJ
Short Term...13
Long Term....JML
Aviation.....MJ
Hazardous weather outlook, May 21, 1:59 PM EDT, 25 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Louisville KY
159 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022

KYZ040>043-046>049-053>057-061>067-070>078-081-082-221800-
Woodford-Fayette-Bourbon-Nicholas-Washington-Mercer-Jessamine-Clark-
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 Versailles, Lexington, Paris, Carlisle,
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
159 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022 /1259 PM CDT Sat May 21 2022/

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and
continue into tonight. Locally gusty winds and hail will be the main
threats in addition to lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

More rounds of strong to severe storms are in the forecast for
Wednesday and Thursday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be requested this afternoon and evening.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

Storms this afternoon and evening are expected to move from west to
east around 40 mph.

Any users of this storm motion must be aware that thunderstorm activity
can be erratic and constantly evolving.  Please use this with caution
and be prepared for changing conditions.

&&

More information, along with other weather, hydrological and
climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville.

INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>039-045-221800-
Orange-Washington-Scott-Jefferson-Dubois-Crawford-Perry-Harrison-
Floyd-Clark-Hancock-Breckinridge-Meade-Ohio-Grayson-Hardin-Bullitt-
Oldham-Trimble-Henry-Shelby-Franklin-Spencer-Anderson-Nelson-
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, and Bardstown
159 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022 /1259 PM CDT Sat May 21 2022/

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 254 IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT /6 PM CDT/
THIS EVENING...

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening.
Some storms may be strong to severe with damaging winds and possibly
some large hail as the main threats in addition to frequent
lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

More rounds of strong to severe storms are in the forecast for
Wednesday and Thursday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be requested this afternoon and evening.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

Storms this afternoon and evening are expected to move from west to
east around 40 mph.

Any users of this storm motion must be aware that thunderstorm activity
can be erratic and constantly evolving.  Please use this with caution
and be prepared for changing conditions.
&&

More information, along with other weather, hydrological and
climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville.

MJ

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 21, 1:29 PM EDT, 55 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 21, 1:40 PM EDT, 44 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 21, 1:49 PM EDT, 35 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 21, 1:53 PM EDT, 31 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 21, 1:59 PM EDT, 25 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 21, 2:14 PM EDT, 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
214 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022

KYZ035-039-211845-
Franklin KY-Anderson KY-
214 PM EDT Sat May 21 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central
Anderson and southern Franklin Counties through 245 PM EDT...

At 214 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lawrenceburg, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Winds around 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Frankfort.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT for
central Kentucky.

&&

LAT...LON 3818 8477 3814 8486 3811 8487 3803 8502
      3806 8507 3807 8505 3808 8505 3822 8488
TIME...MOT...LOC 1814Z 237DEG 27KT 3807 8500

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

DM

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 21, 1:19 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKShelby, Spencer26 min
May 21, 1:29 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKGreen31 min
May 21, 1:40 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKHenry35 min
May 21, 1:49 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKFranklin26 min
May 21, 1:53 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKAnderson37 min
May 21, 1:59 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKMarion31 min
May 21, 2:14 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKFranklin31 min
May 21, 2:49 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKScott26 min
May 21, 2:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKCasey23 min
May 21, 3:38 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKHancock22 min
May 21, 3:40 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKBourbon, Harrison, Nicholas, Scott50 min
May 21, 4:01 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKBourbon, Harrison, Nicholas29 min
May 21, 4:24 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKJefferson, Oldham51 min
May 21, 4:27 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKMeade33 min
May 21, 4:36 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKFranklin, Henry, Shelby27 min
May 21, 5:03 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKBreckinridge27 min
May 21, 5:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKBullitt25 min
May 21, 5:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKClark25 min
May 21, 5:11 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKHenry, Jefferson, Oldham34 min
May 21, 5:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKEdmonson28 min
May 21, 5:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKShelby, Spencer36 min
May 21, 5:33 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKHardin42 min
May 21, 5:45 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKButler, Ohio45 min
May 21, 5:58 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKEdmonson32 min
May 21, 6:06 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKAnderson, Nelson, Washington24 min
May 21, 6:40 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKLogan35 min
May 21, 6:42 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKLarue33 min
May 21, 7:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKJessamine28 min
May 21, 2:44 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKDubois31 min
May 21, 2:55 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKDubois, Perry50 min
May 21, 3:18 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKCrawford, Orange, Perry57 min
May 21, 3:46 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKFloyd, Harrison, Washington44 min
May 21, 3:58 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKClark, Floyd, Harrison, Washington47 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Kentucky, 2022Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2022

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.