Tornado and Hail in Kentucky, January 29, 2008

Name: Tornado and Hail in Kentucky, January 29, 2008
Start: 2008-01-29T18:30
End: 2008-01-29T22:00
Location: Kentucky

January 29, 2008 · NWS LMK · 59 events in 37 counties and zones

A powerful cold front set off a lengthy squall line that crossed all of central Kentucky on the evening of January 29. A large number of locations had 60 to as much as 100 mph winds, causing extensive property damage.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $5.8 million
Crop damage: $1.1 million
Events: 59

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS LMK wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jan 29, 5:33 PM CST, 57 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 29, 5:33 PM CST, 57 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
633 PM EST TUE JAN 29 2008

.EVENING UPDATE...

UPDATED ZONES FOR AREA COVERED BY SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AND FOR
THUNDER AND PRECIPITATION COVERAGE. LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS
ALONG AND JUST AHEAD OF COLD FRONT CONTINUES TO MOVE RAPIDLY EAST
THROUGH CENTRAL KENTUCKY. AT 930 PM EST STRETCHED FROM CYNTHIANA
SOUTH THROUGH LEXINGTON THROUGH LIBERTY IN CASEY COUNTY TO JUST WEST
OF ALBANY.  THE STORMS WILL CONTINUE TO RACE TO THE EAST...PRODUCING
STRONG GUSTY WINDS. STRONG WINDS WITH GUSTS TO 35 TO 50 MPH WILL
CONTINUE FOR 2 TO 3 HOURS BEHIND THE FRONT BEFORE GRADUALLY
DIMINISHING.

&&

.SHORT TERM (TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY)...

AT 19Z A SHARP COLD FRONT REACHED FROM NORTHERN LAKE MICHIGAN...TO
JUST SOUTH OF PEORIA...TO THE OZARKS. AS THIS FRONT PLOWS TO THE
SOUTHEAST WINDS WILL INCREASE ACROSS SOUTHERN INDIANA AND CENTRAL
KENTUCKY LATE THIS AFTERNOON INTO THE EARLY EVENING HOURS OUT OF THE
SOUTH AT 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH. WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE AS WELL.

THIS EVENING THE COLD FRONT WILL BARREL THROUGH...ALONG WITH A
NARROW SQUALL LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS IMMEDIATELY AHEAD OF THE FRONT.
BECAUSE OF VERY STRONG WINDS ALOFT THESE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF
WIND GUSTS OVER 60 MPH AS THEY ROLL THROUGH. THE BEST TIME FOR
SEVERE STORMS LOOKS TO BE FROM ABOUT 5PM TO 10PM FROM WEST TO EAST.

IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE FRONT WINDS WILL SWITCH QUICKLY TO THE WEST
AND INCREASE TO SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45
MPH...POSSIBLY LOCALLY EVEN STRONGER. THESE VERY STRONG WINDS WILL
LAST 3 TO 5 HOURS. ALSO...TEMPERATURES WILL PLUNGE 25 DEGREES DURING
THAT TIME FRAME.

A FEW HOURS AFTER THE FRONTAL PASSAGE TEMPERATURES WILL FALL ENOUGH
TO SUPPORT SNOW...HOWEVER THE PRECIPITATION SHOULD BE COMING TO AN
END ABOUT THE SAME TIME. SO...FLURRIES AND A FEW SNOW SHOWERS WILL
BE POSSIBLE BUT ACCUMULATIONS ARE NOT EXPECTED. THE BEST CHANCE FOR
SNOW SHOWERS WILL BE OVER THE BLUE GRASS AND SOUTHERN INDIANA.

BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAWN SKIES WILL CLEAR OUT AND WINDS WILL
DIMINISH A BIT FURTHER INTO THE 10 TO 20 MPH RANGE WITH A FEW HIGHER
GUSTS...WITH STRONGER WINDS IN SOUTHERN INDIANA AND LESSER SPEEDS
TOWARDS THE TENNESSEE BORDER. WIND CHILLS WILL BOTTOM OUT IN THE
SINGLE DIGITS TO AROUND 10...FEELING ABOUT 45 DEGREES COLDER THAN 18
HOURS EARLIER.

WEDNESDAY HIGH PRESSURE WILL MOVE IN AND WILL GIVE US SUNNY SKIES
AND GRADUALLY DIMINISHING WINDS...WITH AFTERNOON HIGHS IN THE 30S.

13

.LONG TERM (WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY)...

WEDNESDAY NIGHT-FRIDAY NIGHT...

A SOUTHERN-STREAM SYSTEM WILL IMPACT THE REGION DURING THIS TIME
FRAME. A POTENT SHORTWAVE STREAMING ACROSS THE SRN ROCKIES WILL
DEVELOP A SFC LOW OVER THE SRN PLAINS THURSDAY...AND THIS WILL TRACK
NEWD TOWARD OUR REGION. SOME MODEL DIFFERENCES EXIST BETWEEN THE NAM
AND GFS IN PRECIP ONSET...HOWEVER EVOLUTION AND PRECIP TYPE ARE VERY
SIMILAR BETWEEN THE MODELS. GFS HAS SLOWED DOWN A TAD...AND THE NAM
IS SIGNIFICANTLY SLOWER WITH PRECIP ONSET. SOUNDINGS INDICATE THAT A
LITTLE WINTRY MIX IS POSSIBLE AT ONSET FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE
ENOUGH WARM AIR MOVES INTO THE AREA TO CHANGE IT ALL OVER TO A COLD
RAIN. NOT CONFIDENT IN THIS HOWEVER...SO WILL LEAVE THE RAIN WORDING
IN FOR NOW. NAM ACTUALLY KEEPS US DRY THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY. HOWEVER
THE SREF PUSHES 10-30 POPS INTO OUR SWRN CWA BETWEEN 21Z-00Z...AS
DOES THE OPERATIONAL GFS. SO WILL PULL BACK POPS UNTIL AFTER 18Z
THRS...AND WILL LIKELY KEEP THE NERN CWA DRY THROUGH 00Z. SAME POP
PERCENTAGES WILL BE USED FROM 20-40 POPS.

BY THURSDAY NIGHT AROUND MIDNIGHT...SFC LOW WILL BE NEAR WRN
KY/TN...WITH AMPLE RAIN OVERHEAD (INCREASED POPS TO CATEGORICAL).
FORECAST SOUNDINGS SHOW ALL RAIN AT THIS TIME...WITH A CHANGEOVER TO
A RA/SN MIX BY 12Z FRIDAY. DRY SLOT FROM THIS SYSTEM IS WELL-PROGGED
BY NAM AND GFS...SO WE MAY SEE A BREAK IN THE PRECIPITATION FRIDAY
MORNING BEFORE WRAP-AROUND TROWAL SNOW AFFECTS OUR NORTHERN AREAS
(HOWEVER MAJORITY OF THIS WILL BE NORTH OF THE CWA). COULD HAVE SOME
ACCUMULATING SNOW FROM THIS...DEPENDING ON IF IT CAN STICK TO THE
WET GROUNDS. HIGHS FRIDAY SHOULD OCCUR EARLY...AND WITH SLIGHTLY
FALLING TEMPS WHICH WILL HELP SNOW ACCUMULATIONS. THINK THAT
LOCATIONS NORTH OF A LINE FROM E-TOWN TO RICHMOND COULD SEE UP TO AN
INCH...WITH LOCATIONS NORTH OF A BRANDENBURG TO PARIS KY...INCLUDING
SOUTHERN INDIANA SEEING OVER AN INCH POSSIBLY. THIS WILL DEPEND ON
THE TRACK OF THE SYSTEM AND IF ACCUMULATION RATES CAN COUNTER THE
WET GROUNDS. IN ALL...MINOR SNOW ACCUMS POSSIBLE BY THE END OF
FRIDAY. WILL END POPS BY 00Z FRIDAY EVENING.

SATURDAY...

SATURDAY MORNING LOWS WILL DEPEND ON SNOW COVER...SO WENT BELOW
GUIDANCE IN THE NORTH...BUT GENERALLY LOWS IN THE 20S SEEMS
REASONABLE...NOTHING TOO TERRIBLY COLD. THE COLD AIR IN PLACE WILL
NOT LAST LONG. WITH HIGH PRESSURE QUICKLY STREAMING ACROSS THE SERN
CONUS...SOUTHERLY WIND/WARM-AIR ADVECTION (WAA) COMMENCES QUITE
QUICKLY INTO SATURDAY. THUS TEMPS WILL WARM RIGHT BACK UP ON
SATURDAY...WITH HIGHS IN THE 40S MOST PLACES TO NEAR 50 DOWN SOUTH.
IT WILL BE DRY THOUGH.

SUNDAY-TUESDAY...

SUNDAY MORNING...THE GFS HINTS AT AN INVERTED TROUGH FROM THE
SOUTHERN GREAT LAKES DOWN TO TEXAS. YESTERDAYS 12Z MODEL RUNS
SHOWED THIS WIND SHIFT PASSING THROUGH THE AREA...THOUGH NOW IT
LOOKS LIKE THE WAA WILL HOLD THIS OUT OF OUR AREA...AND MOISTURE
WILL INCREASE AHEAD OF THIS TROUGH DEVELOPING OVER THE PLAINS. THE
OPERATIONAL GFS SHOWS THIS PRECIP REACHING OUR WRN CWA AS EARLY AS
00Z MON. BUT THE GFS ENSEMBLES KEEP IT OUT ALMOST UP UNTIL 12Z MON.
SO COMPROMISED AND INSERTED SLT CHC POPS AFTER MIDNIGHT SUNDAY NIGHT
INTO MONDAY MORNING. GOOD COLLAB BETWEEN EURO AND GFS BEYOND THAT IN
DEVELOPING A SUBSTANTIAL LOW OVER THE MID-MS VALLEY AREA BY MONDAY
NIGHT (GFS ACTUALLY BOMBS THIS LOW OUT). MODELS REALLY ADVECT WARM
AND MOIST AIR INTO THE AREA...SO AMPLE RAINFALL WILL BE
EXPECTED...ALONG WITH MILD TEMPS LIKELY PUSHING 60 FOR HIGHS ON
MONDAY (MOS ALREADY NEARING 10 DEGREES ABOVE CLIMO). INCREASED POPS
TO LIKELY MONDAY NIGHT...AND CONTINUED CHC POPS INTO TUESDAY. COOLER
TEMPS WITH THE COLD FRONT EXPECTED BEYOND THAT.

.AVIATION (00Z TAFS)...

THIS EVENING WILL NOT BE A GOOD TIME TO FLY.

A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL ROAR INTO CENTRAL KENTUCKY THIS EVENING
WITH A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS...MANY SEVERE AHEAD OF THE FRONT. AHEAD
OF THE FRONT SOUTHERLY WINDS OF 15 TO 20 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 30 TO 40
MPH WILL BLOW ACROSS THE AREA. WINDS SHIFT TO THE NORTHWEST ABRUPTLY
WITH THE FRONTAL PASSAGE WITH SPEEDS OF 15 TO 25 KTS AND GUSTS TO 35
TO 45 KTS. WINDS. AHEAD OF THE FRONT A NARROW LINE OF STRONG TO
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL COULD PRODUCE GUSTS TO 55 KTS. A SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR SDF AND BWG UNTIL 02Z.

WINDS WILL CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEHIND THE FRONT BUT WILL
BEGIN TO LESSEN OVERNIGHT. BEHIND THE FRONT CIGS WILL LOWER TO 1
THSD TO 24 HND FT WITH SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS.

&&

.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM EST /5 AM CST/ WEDNESDAY FOR KYZ023>043-
     045>049-053>057-061>067-070>078-081-082.

IN...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM EST /5 AM CST/ WEDNESDAY FOR INZ076>079-
     083-084-089>092.

&&

UPDATE.......MBS
SHORT TERM...13
LONG TERM....AL
AVIATION.....MBS

Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 29, 2:17 PM CST, 4 hours 13 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
317 PM EST TUE JAN 29 2008

INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067-
070>078-081-082-300930-
ORANGE IN-WASHINGTON IN-SCOTT IN-JEFFERSON IN-DUBOIS IN-
CRAWFORD IN-PERRY IN-HARRISON IN-FLOYD IN-CLARK IN-HANCOCK KY-
BRECKINRIDGE KY-MEADE KY-OHIO KY-GRAYSON KY-HARDIN KY-BULLITT KY-
JEFFERSON KY-OLDHAM KY-TRIMBLE KY-HENRY KY-SHELBY KY-FRANKLIN KY-
SCOTT KY-HARRISON KY-SPENCER KY-ANDERSON KY-WOODFORD KY-
FAYETTE KY-BOURBON KY-NICHOLAS KY-NELSON KY-WASHINGTON KY-
MERCER KY-JESSAMINE KY-CLARK KY-LARUE KY-MARION KY-BOYLE KY-
GARRARD KY-MADISON KY-BUTLER KY-EDMONSON KY-HART KY-GREEN KY-
TAYLOR KY-CASEY KY-LINCOLN KY-LOGAN KY-WARREN KY-SIMPSON KY-
ALLEN KY-BARREN KY-MONROE KY-METCALFE KY-ADAIR KY-RUSSELL KY-
CUMBERLAND KY-CLINTON KY-
317 PM EST (217 PM CST) TUE JAN 29 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL
INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL PASS THROUGH THE REGION THIS EVENING. THIS
FRONT WILL BRING WINDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 50 MPH
FOR A TIME THIS EVENING. SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL ACCOMPANY THE
FRONT AS IT PASSES THROUGH. SOME OF THESE THUNDERSTORMS MAY BECOME
SEVERE WITH DAMAGING WINDS BEING THE PRIMARY SEVERE WEATHER THREAT.
THE MOST LIKELY TIME FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE BETWEEN 5PM AND 10PM
FROM WEST TO EAST.

AFTER THE FRONT PASSES...TEMPERATURES WILL DROP VERY QUICKLY.
LEFT OVER PRECIPITATION BEHIND THE FRONT MAY CHANGE TO A BRIEF
PERIOD OF FLURRIES OR SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS. HOWEVER...LITTLE OR NO
ACCUMULATION IS EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF FALLING TEMPERATURES
AND WET PAVEMENT MAY LEAD TO SOME SLICK SPOTS ON AREA ROADWAYS BY
MORNING. IN ADDITION...THE COLD TEMPERATURES AND GUSTY
WINDS WILL PRODUCE WIND CHILL READINGS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS BY
SUNRISE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

A STORM SYSTEM IS FORECAST TO IMPACT THE REGION BEGINNING THURSDAY
AFTERNOON AND PERSISTING THROUGH THE DAY ON FRIDAY. BESIDES THE
POTENTIAL FOR A COLD BUT HEAVY RAINFALL MAINLY THURSDAY NIGHT...SOME
WINTRY PRECIPITATION IS POSSIBLE AFTER MIDNIGHT THURSDAY NIGHT AND
INTO FRIDAY. SOME ACCUMULATING SNOW IS NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION
DURING THE DAY ON FRIDAY...ESPECIALLY FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL
INDIANA AND PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY. AT THIS TIME...IT
APPEARS THAT LOCATIONS IN SOUTHERN INDIANA COULD SEE OVER AN INCH OF
SNOW ACCUMULATION BY FRIDAY EVENING...WITH LOCATIONS IN NORTH
CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND THE NORTHERN BLUEGRASS SEEING UP TO AN INCH OF
SNOWFALL. IN ADDITION...THIS STORM SYSTEM WILL PRODUCE WIND GUSTS
OVER 30 MPH AT TIMES FROM LATE THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE REQUESTED THIS EVENING.

13/AL

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jan 29, 5:54 PM CST, 36 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
654 PM EST TUE JAN 29 2008

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

0649 PM     TSTM WND GST     PORTERSVILLE            38.50N 86.98W
01/29/2008  E60 MPH          DUBOIS             IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0650 PM     TSTM WND GST     IRELAND                 38.42N 87.00W
01/29/2008  E60 MPH          DUBOIS             IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

RL

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

55 thunderstorm wind, 3 hail, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: January 29, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Butler County, Morgantown
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.220, -86.700

Thunderstorm winds downed trees across roadways.

Thunderstorm Wind, Edmonson

When: January 29, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Edmonson County, Bee Spg to 0.37 mi SE of Kyrock
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.280, -86.280

Trees were downed near Bee Spring, Kyrock, and Nolin River Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind, Breckinridge

When: January 29, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Breckinridge County, 0.69 mi S of Stephensport to 1.49 mi E of Stephensport
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.910, -86.528

Thunderstorm winds uprooted large trees on Highway 144 out of Stephensport, blocking the road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Meade

When: January 29, 7:38 PM EST
Where: Meade County, 5.39 mi NE of Wolf Creek to 3.98 mi N of Oolite
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $200,000
Crop damage: $75,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.160, -86.317

Six barns were damaged by thunderstorm winds. Out of that number, two were destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hancock

When: January 29, 6:39 PM CST
Where: Hancock County, 0.55 mi W of Hawesville
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.900, -86.760

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees, and blew over an outbuilding.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ohio

When: January 29, 6:44 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Ohio County, 1.79 mi S of Centertown to 1.54 mi S of Ellmitch
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.394, -86.998

Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees and power lines. A few homes and vehicles were damaged by falling trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Logan

When: January 29, 6:52 PM CST
Where: Logan County, 0.88 mi SW of Russellville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.840, -86.890

Thunderstorm winds downed trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Breckinridge

When: January 29, 6:56 PM CST to 7:08 PM CST
Where: Breckinridge County, 0.55 mi W of Hardinsburg Arpt to 0.59 mi E of Harned
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.780, -86.460

Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees.

Tornado, Jefferson

When: January 29, 8:00 PM EST to 8:13 PM EST
Where: Jefferson County, 1.13 mi SW of Louisville to 1.32 mi ESE of O Bannon
Rating: EF1
Path length: 16.38 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $3.0 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.218, -85.794

A fast moving EF-1 tornado briefly touched down four times in the Louisville Metro area as a squall line crossed the city. The tornado was on the ground for approximately 1.5 miles over the course of it's 16 mile long track. The first touchdown was in and industrial area just off Millers Lane west of the Dixie Highway. The tornado stayed on the ground for one mile before lifting, heavily damaging a church on Dixie Highway, as well as uprooting and snapping several trees and damaging numerous homes. The tornado then dipped to earth again on the west side of the University of Louisville campus, breaking out many windows in a large residence hall and nearby building, and damaging several vehicles parked nearby. The next touchdown happened in Saint Matthews near the intersection of Shelbyville Road and Interstate 264, where extensive damage was suffered by many businesses and private properties. The fourth and final touchdown was in Anchorage where many trees were damaged, blown over, and uprooted, roofs were damaged, and a large outbuilding at a training school was destroyed. Widespread downburst wind damage occurred mainly to the south of the tornado's path as the squall line moved across the city.

Thunderstorm Wind, Shelby

When: January 29, 8:00 PM EST
Where: Shelby County, Shelbyville
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.220, -85.230

Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Breckinridge

When: January 29, 7:02 PM CST
Where: Breckinridge County, 1.09 mi E of Kingswood
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.720, -86.400

Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: January 29, 7:06 PM CST to 7:14 PM CST
Where: Warren County, 1.15 mi SSW of Memphis Jct to 2.02 mi NE of Rich Pond
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.934, -86.487

Thunderstorm winds caused structural damage to several homes at the Hidden River Estates off Elrod Road. The roof was blown off one home, and several other homes had extensive roof damage.

Hail, Breckinridge

When: January 29, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Breckinridge County, Custer
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.730, -86.250

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: January 29, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, Mt Herman
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $150,000
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.820, -85.780

Thunderstorm winds downed at least 20 tobacco barns and other outbuildings. At least one home was damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Simpson

When: January 29, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Simpson County, 0.28 mi SSW of Middleton to 0.85 mi SSE of Hickory Flat
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.747, -86.723

Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: January 29, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Warren County, 1.22 mi N of Greenwood
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.948, -86.418

Thunderstorm winds blew down a large sign at a salon on Shive Lane.

Thunderstorm Wind, Trimble

When: January 29, 8:10 PM EST to 8:20 PM EST
Where: Trimble County, Milton to Bedford
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $300,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 38.720, -85.370

Thunderstorm winds damaged homes, barns, and farm equipment. Power lines were also downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Meade

When: January 29, 8:15 PM EST
Where: Meade County, Payneville
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.980, -86.320

Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: January 29, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Warren County, 1.82 mi ENE of Blue Level to 2.03 mi W of Bowling Green
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.991, -86.500

Thunderstorm winds damaged a trailer on Morgantown Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oldham

When: January 29, 8:19 PM EST
Where: Oldham County, 0.88 mi SW of Pewee Vly
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.310, -85.490

Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees and power lines, causing road closures.

Thunderstorm Wind, Allen

When: January 29, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Allen County, 0.36 mi NE of Scottsville
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.754, -86.175

Thunderstorm winds caused structural damage to homes in the vicinity of Highway 98 and Brownsford Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Edmonson

When: January 29, 7:20 PM CST to 7:25 PM CST
Where: Edmonson County, 0.88 mi NE of Brownsville to 0.46 mi ESE of Mammoth Cave
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.190, -86.260

Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Meade

When: January 29, 8:20 PM EST
Where: Meade County, 1.02 mi N of Muldraugh
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.945, -85.997

Thunderstorm winds downed trees down on US Highway 31W in the Muldraugh Hill area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Allen

When: January 29, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Allen County, 0.75 mi WNW of Mt Aerial to 1.11 mi W of Scottsville
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.753, -86.393

Thunderstorm winds downed trees western portions of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: January 29, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Butler County, Morgantown
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.220, -86.700

Thunderstorm winds downed trees across roadways.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: January 29, 8:30 PM EST
Where: Jefferson County, 2.62 mi WSW of Indian Hills
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.271, -85.697

Thunderstorm winds blew a large tree on some cars near the VA Hospital.

Thunderstorm Wind, Logan

When: January 29, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Logan County, 0.25 mi NW of Adairville
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.672, -86.853

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Allen

When: January 29, 7:32 PM CST
Where: Allen County, 0.9 mi NE of Cedar Spgs
Measured: 80 kt (92 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $80,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.838, -86.087

Thunderstorm winds destroyed a home near the Barren County line.

Thunderstorm Wind, Barren

When: January 29, 7:32 PM CST
Where: Barren County, 0.88 mi NE of Cave City to 1.49 mi ESE of Haywood
Measured: 80 kt (92 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.140, -85.960

Thunderstorm winds blew down two walls at an apartment complex in the Cave City area. Winds blew the roof off a home in the Capitol Hill communitiy near Glasgow.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nelson

When: January 29, 8:42 PM EST to 8:56 PM EST
Where: Nelson County, 0.63 mi NNE of Boston to 1.77 mi SSW of Woodlawn
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.788, -85.665

Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Larue

When: January 29, 8:45 PM EST to 8:50 PM EST
Where: Larue County, 1.33 mi SSW of Buffalo to 0.27 mi NE of Mt Sherman
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 37.504, -85.713

Thunderstorm winds blew a tree on to a home. Other homes in the Buffalo area had shingle damage. Several trees were downed in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Metcalfe

When: January 29, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Metcalfe County, 1.1 mi W of Edmonton
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.980, -85.620

Thunderstorm winds blew windows blown out of several businesses.

Thunderstorm Wind, Taylor

When: January 29, 9:00 PM EST to 9:10 PM EST
Where: Taylor County, 1.38 mi ENE of Mac to 0.4 mi NE of Mannsville
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.405, -85.496

Thunderstorm winds destroyed an older barn and heavily damaged a newer one to the west of Campbellsville. In the Mannsville area, straight line winds caused moderate to severe damage to a business.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: January 29, 8:03 PM CST
Where: Warren County, 0.1 mi ENE of Greenwood
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.930, -86.418

Thunderstorm winds blew a tree on to a house on Browning Street.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: January 29, 8:04 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, 0.55 mi W of Tompkinsville
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.700, -85.690

Thunderstorm winds downed trees and blew a dumpster across a road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: January 29, 8:04 PM CST
Where: Warren County, 1.55 mi E of Hadley
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.047, -86.592

Thunderstorm winds downed trees across the intersection of Highways 231 and 626.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: January 29, 8:05 PM CST to 8:20 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, 0.58 mi W of Fountain Run to 0.55 mi W of Tompkinsville
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.720, -85.960

Thunderstorm winds damaged several homes in the Fountain Run area. Elsewhere, numerous trees were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anderson

When: January 29, 9:05 PM EST
Where: Anderson County, 0.54 mi E of Lawrenceburg
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.030, -84.890

Thunderstorm winds downed large tree limbs across roadways.

Thunderstorm Wind, Spencer

When: January 29, 9:07 PM EST to 9:15 PM EST
Where: Spencer County, 2.99 mi SSE of Waterford to 0.54 mi E of Taylorsville
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.988, -85.418

Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Taylor

When: January 29, 9:07 PM EST to 9:24 PM EST
Where: Taylor County, 1.69 mi NE of Mac to 0.72 mi WNW of Elk Horn
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 37.415, -85.496

Thunderstorm winds damaged the walls of a lumber company in Campbellsville. A lumber shed was flipped over and destroyed. Winds damaged a restaurant sign in Campbellsville. Thunderstorm winds also downed numerous trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Adair

When: January 29, 8:10 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 0.41 mi N of Milltown to 1.64 mi ENE of Eunice
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.126, -85.399

Thunderstorm winds blew a tree on to a home in the Milltown area, causing roof damage. High winds tore the roof off a mobile home on Sanders Ridge Road. Thunderstorm winds also downed numerous trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: January 29, 9:10 PM EST
Where: Franklin County, 1.06 mi NNW of Frankfort
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.215, -84.855

Thunderstorm winds downed trees on Grand Avenue.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mercer

When: January 29, 9:10 PM EST
Where: Mercer County, 1.09 mi W of Stringtown
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.770, -84.850

Thunderstorm winds downed power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Shelby

When: January 29, 9:11 PM EST
Where: Shelby County, 0.61 mi NNE of Graefenburg
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.158, -85.016

Thunderstorm winds downed trees across both Graefenburg Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cumberland

When: January 29, 8:15 PM CST to 8:30 PM CST
Where: Cumberland County, 0.91 mi ENE of Marrowbone to 0.62 mi E of Guthries Ridge
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.825, -85.485

Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mercer

When: January 29, 9:15 PM EST
Where: Mercer County, 2.64 mi SSE of Shakertown
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 37.783, -84.719

Thunderstorm winds caused heavy damage to two cooling tower facilities at the Kentucky Utility plant. Trailers at the facility were damaged, along with damage to a roof over an open paved area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nelson

When: January 29, 9:15 PM EST
Where: Nelson County, 0.88 mi SE of Bardstown
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.810, -85.460

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees. Some were blocking road, and one was on a car.

Thunderstorm Wind, Boyle

When: January 29, 9:19 PM EST
Where: Boyle County, 0.05 mi NNW of Perryville to 0.88 mi SE of Danville
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.651, -84.950

Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Casey

When: January 29, 9:20 PM EST
Where: Casey County, 1.06 mi NW of Clementsville to 1.46 mi NNW of Creston
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 37.292, -85.112

Thunderstorm winds caused minor damage to a store in Clementsville. Winds threw a trampoline against a tree. Many trees and power lines were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Russell

When: January 29, 8:25 PM CST
Where: Russell County, Russell Spgs
Measured: 75 kt (86 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.050, -85.080

Thunderstorm winds blew the roof off a building.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harrison

When: January 29, 9:28 PM EST
Where: Harrison County, 0.78 mi W of Harrison Co Arpt
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.368, -84.294

Thunderstorm winds downed trees.

Hail, Garrard

When: January 29, 9:30 PM EST
Where: Garrard County, Lancaster
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.620, -84.580

Thunderstorm Wind, Jessamine

When: January 29, 9:30 PM EST to 9:40 PM EST
Where: Jessamine County, 1.11 mi NE of Wilmore to 1.1 mi NE of Union Mills
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 37.863, -84.658

Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Garrard

When: January 29, 9:30 PM EST to 9:35 PM EST
Where: Garrard County, 1.62 mi SE of Marcellus to 0.57 mi SSW of Buckeye
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.663, -84.659

Thunderstorm winds downed trees and a power pole.

Hail, Scott

When: January 29, 9:35 PM EST
Where: Scott County, 0.69 mi N of Georgetown
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.210, -84.550

Thunderstorm Wind, Bourbon

When: January 29, 9:35 PM EST
Where: Bourbon County, 2.03 mi S of Paris
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.191, -84.249

Thunderstorm winds downed trees across Highway 627.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: January 29, 9:50 PM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Madison County, 0.28 mi ENE of Richmond to 0.18 mi ENE of Whites
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.752, -84.295

Thunderstorm winds downed blew a tree and power lines on car on Woodland Avenue. A carport was blown down on Highway 169. Winds downed another tree near White Station.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nicholas

When: January 29, 9:50 PM EST
Where: Nicholas County, 1.76 mi SW of Ellisville to 0.87 mi ESE of Oakland Mills
Measured: 74 kt (85 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.361, -84.042

Thunderstorm winds damaged about twelve homes along U.S. Highway 68. A barn was heavily damaged, and several outbuildings were destroyed. Numerous trees were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fayette

When: January 29, 9:55 PM EST
Where: Fayette County, 2.28 mi ESE of Lexington
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.040, -84.460

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees and power lines.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kentucky in 2008 Every state in 2008 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Kentucky, 2008 Warnings in Kentucky, January 2008

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 71961, 71962, 71965, 71969, 71970, 77844, 71971, 71972, 71946, 71973, 71974, 71975, 71955, 71976, 71977, 71978, 77769, 71980, 71981, 71982, 71983, 71984, 71985, 71986, 71987, 71988, 71989, 71990, 71991, 71992, 77753, 71993, 71994, 71995, 71996, 71997, 71999, 72034, 72001, 72002, and more.