Alert archive / Kentucky / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2024

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 128, NWS Louisville, KY

May 27, 20245 counties in Kentucky

NWS Louisville, KY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 27, 2024, 12:43 AM EDT for 5 counties in Kentucky. It was in force for 47 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 27, 2024, 12:43 AM EDT (04:43 UTC)
Expired
May 27, 2024, 1:30 AM EDT
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Louisville, KY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Possible
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Boyle County, KY, Garrard County, KY, Jessamine County, KY, Madison County, KY, Mercer County, KY

The radar

The Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 117 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:45 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 26, 11:06 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 00:00Z, 4.7 hours before the alert went out and 202 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 00:00Z on 2024-05-27Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 7 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 00:00Z on 2024-05-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 422 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
7 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-365 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
919 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
46 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
422 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
426 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

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 26, 11:11 PM EDT, 1 hour 32 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • * Multiple waves of strong to severe storms possible today and tonight. Widespread damaging winds are possible, and tornadoes and large hail cannot be ruled out. * Repeated heavy rainfall could result in flash flooding, especially over south-central Kentucky. * The greatest risk for severe weather and flooding will be after dark. Have multiple ways to receive warnings, and be aware of the dangers of nighttime flooding.
Area forecast discussion, May 26, 11:11 PM EDT, 1 hour 32 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
1111 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

*   Multiple waves of strong to severe storms possible today and
    tonight. Widespread damaging winds are possible, and tornadoes
    and large hail cannot be ruled out.

*   Repeated heavy rainfall could result in flash flooding,
    especially over south-central Kentucky.

*   The greatest risk for severe weather and flooding will be after
    dark. Have multiple ways to receive warnings, and be aware of
    the dangers of nighttime flooding.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 1111 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024

Individual supercells have congealed into a QLCS and is entering the
region from the west and northwest. A strong LLJ is enhancing low
level SRH, for tornado potential in the region. 0-3km shear over the
region is around 35kts, which is effective for maintaining the QLCS
line. The worked over environment from this morning still remains a
limiting factor for these storms. However, there are strong
kinematics with this line to build confidence for its maintenance
through the region.

Due to these reasons, the Tornado Watch has been extended into the
Bluegrass region. Now all counties are under the Tornado Watch at
this time.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 252 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024

Round 1 will be ending over the next hour or two across the southern
CWA. Pretty tight boundary just south of the KY/TN state line that
is the difference between stable and unstable airmasses. Will be
continuing to keep an eye on that boundary to make sure that surface-
based potential doesn't creep back up into our southern tier of
counties before it exits the Lake Cumberland region. Still, with the
near-surface stable layer, expect that 40 to 50 mph winds could
still make it to the surface.

Still expecting a lull in action between 4 and 7 PM EDT before
activity likely ramps up again. Seeing clearing on satellite imagery
starting to move into SW Indiana and western KY. May get a few hours
of heating in place before the next wave development. Although we
aren't totally sure how well we'll re-destabilize we are seeing obs
jump back up into the mid 70s/mid 60s type of obs over southern IL
after an hour or two of heating. That is concerning, and given that
the HRRR has not back off the secondary development, do think we can
still have high confidence in those storms developing.

Speaking of development, it does look like there will be plenty of
trigger. Expect the low level jet to ramp up between 40 and 50 knots
by 00 to 03z, beneath good exit region mid to upper level jetting.
This should set the stage for potential of initial cells being able
to rotate (supercells). Do expect that there may continue to be a
near-surface stable layer, as indicated by hi-res models
consistently, which could limit our tornado threat/keep them a
little elevated. Initial cells would probably have a large hail
threat give good mid level lapse rates and MUCAPE values.

It appears that storms will congeal quickly into a line and then
begin to bow out along the I-64 corridor from 8PM to 10 PM. From
there, it should work steadily across KY and exit our SE between 2
and 3 AM EDT. Once the expected cold pool gets going, then would
fully expect that the stable layer could be overcome and that those
pockets of severe winds could again be mixed down. Still our
expected main threat going through the late evening and into the
overnight.

Will be looking to clear the Watches from Wave 1 shortly.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 252 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024

Monday through Tuesday Night...

Deep low pressure is forecast to reach Lower MI by 12Z Monday, with
a trailing cold front advancing through central IN and western KY. A
trailing upper level shortwave trough will swing across the Ohio
Valley Monday morning as the cold front moves through the region.
This could touch off a few weak showers and storms early in the day,
though most will see a dry start to the day in the wake of severe
storms late Sunday.

There is a slightly greater chance (30%) for showers and storms in
the Bluegrass/Lake Cumberland regions in the afternoon. Slightly
richer moisture and a bit more time for the airmass to destabilize
prior to fropa results in the slightly higher rain chances. However,
precip will be sparse overall. Expect a mostly cloudy start to the
day, with lower clouds thinning during the second half of the day.
It will be breezy with gusts of 20-30 mph. Highs will range from the
mid 70s to around 80 F.

Notable upper level troughing lingers over the Great Lakes and Upper
Midwest through Tuesday night, keeping deeper moisture bottled up to
our north. An amplifying upper level ridge builds from the Rockies
to the Plains as sfc high pressure strengthens over the northern and
central Plains. Largely dry weather is expected with lows in the 50s
and afternoon highs in the mid 70s to near 80 F.

Wednesday through Saturday...

Ridging builds east across the MS and OH Valleys through late week,
resulting in a stretch of pleasant weather. Highs will be in the 70s
Wednesday and Thursday with comfortable humidity levels. Morning
lows will generally be in the 50s, though some spots will see
readings in the 40s Thursday and Friday mornings. Temperatures will
warm back to around 80 degrees Friday afternoon.

A highly meridional flow pattern will be in place heading into next
weekend. Ridging slowly drifts to the east as a Plains low pressure
system moves toward the region. Rain returns to the forecast for
late Saturday or Sunday, though timing remains uncertain.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 739 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024

Expect this quiet period to last for another few hours at eastern
and southern terminals. Re-initiation of showers and storms expected
over southern Indiana around 00z. This complex will work SE through
the TAF sites between 8 PM and 3 AM. Strong gusty winds, and brief
vis below 1 SM possible with any storm.

The pre-dawn hours return to quiet, with low MVFR ceilings building
in toward dawn. A few hours after dawn, CIGs will improve. Gusty
winds will remain through tomorrow.

&&

.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...Flood Watch until 8 AM EDT /7 AM CDT/ Monday for KYZ023>043-
     045>049-053>057-061>067-070>078-081-082.
IN...Flood Watch until 8 AM EDT /7 AM CDT/ Monday for INZ076>079-
     083-084-089>092.

&&

UPDATE...SRM
SHORT TERM...BJS
LONG TERM...EBW
AVIATION...SRM
Hazardous weather outlook, May 26, 8:23 PM EDT, 4 hours 20 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Louisville KY
823 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024

INZ079-KYZ032>037-039>043-047>049-055>057-066-067-280030-
Jefferson IN-Trimble-Henry-Shelby-Franklin-Scott KY-Harrison KY-
Anderson-Woodford-Fayette-Bourbon-Nicholas-Mercer-Jessamine-Clark KY-
Boyle-Garrard-Madison-Casey-Lincoln-
823 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Indiana
and central Kentucky.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/louisville on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.

Storms later tonight could produce widespread damaging winds and
flash flooding, and tornadoes and large hail cannot be ruled out
either.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/louisville on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.

Isolated thunderstorms are possible Monday, and will produce
lightning along with locally gusty winds.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

Storms will move SE at 30 to 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>078-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>031-038-045-046-053-054-061>065-
070>078-081-082-280030-
Orange-Washington IN-Scott IN-Dubois-Crawford-Perry-Harrison IN-
Floyd-Clark IN-Hancock-Breckinridge-Meade-Ohio-Grayson-Hardin-
Bullitt-Jefferson-Oldham-Spencer-Nelson-Washington KY-Larue-Marion-
Butler-Edmonson-Hart-Green-Taylor-Logan-Warren-Simpson-Allen-Barren-
Monroe-Metcalfe-Adair-Russell-Cumberland-Clinton-
823 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024 /723 PM CDT Sun May 26 2024/

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...
...TORNADO WATCH 324 IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT /1 AM CDT/ MONDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Indiana
and central Kentucky.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/louisville on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.
   Tornado Watch.

Storms later tonight could produce widespread damaging winds and
flash flooding, and tornadoes and large hail cannot be ruled out
either.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/louisville on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.

Isolated thunderstorms are possible Monday, and will produce
lightning along with locally gusty winds.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

Storms will move SE at 30 to 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.

SRM

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 26, 11:59 PM EDT, 44 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 27, 12:16 AM EDT, 27 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 27, 12:27 AM EDT, 16 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 27, 12:31 AM EDT, 12 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 27, 12:32 AM EDT, 11 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 27, 12:37 AM EDT, 6 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 26, 9:13 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningLMKOhio55 hr
May 26, 9:52 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLMKHancock53 min
May 26, 10:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKBreckinridge, Hancock, Meade, Ohio46 min
May 26, 10:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKButler, Logan, Ohio, Simpson, Warren29 min
May 26, 10:49 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKBreckinridge, Hardin, Meade26 min
May 26, 10:55 PM EDTTornado WarningLMKButler20 min
May 26, 10:57 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKGrayson33 min
May 26, 11:08 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningLMKOhio3 hr
May 26, 11:09 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKBullitt, Hardin, Jefferson, Meade, Nelson, Oldham and 2 more51 min
May 26, 11:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKAllen, Butler, Edmonson, Logan, Simpson, Warren49 min
May 26, 11:14 PM EDTTornado WarningLMKButler, Warren31 min
May 26, 11:17 PM EDTTornado Warning Tornado observedLMKBullitt, Hardin, Nelson, Spencer23 min
May 26, 11:36 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningLMKButler, Logan3 hr
May 26, 11:40 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKAllen, Barren, Edmonson, Hart, Monroe, Simpson and 1 more35 min
May 26, 11:45 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKLarue, Nelson30 min
May 26, 11:50 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKHenry, Trimble25 min
May 26, 11:59 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKAnderson, Franklin, Shelby, Spencer31 min
May 27, 12:04 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKGreen, Larue, Marion, Nelson, Taylor, Washington41 min
May 27, 12:07 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKAdair, Allen, Barren, Cumberland, Green, Hart and 3 more38 min
May 27, 12:27 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKFayette, Franklin, Scott, Woodford33 min
May 27, 12:31 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKBoyle, Garrard, Jessamine, Mercer29 min
May 27, 12:40 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLMKAllen, Logan, Simpson, Warren3 hr
May 27, 12:42 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMKAdair, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, Metcalfe, Monroe and 2 more48 min
May 27, 12:58 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKBourbon, Clark, Harrison, Nicholas32 min
May 27, 1:11 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKMadison34 min
May 27, 1:31 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKNicholas14 min
May 27, 1:58 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningLMKWarren28 hr
May 26, 10:00 PM EDTTornado WarningLMKDubois29 min
May 26, 10:26 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementLMKCrawford, Orange34 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Kentucky, 2024Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2024

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.