Hail and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, May 31, 2008

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, May 31, 2008
Start: 2008-05-31T22:34
End: 2008-05-31T23:55
Location: Kentucky

May 31, 2008 · NWS PAH · 7 events in 4 counties and zones

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: $135,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 7

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 PAH wrote it up.

Isolated severe thunderstorms developed during the evening in association with a 500 mb shortwave trough moving east-southeast across Illinois. At the surface, a weak trough of low pressure extended southwest across the mid Mississippi Valley. Most of the severe weather reports were from a cluster of storms that tracked southeast from Illinois across the Marion and Princeton areas to around Hopkinsville.

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 Paducah, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 31, 1:23 PM CST, 9 hours 11 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 31, 1:23 PM CST, 9 hours 11 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
223 PM CDT SAT MAY 31 2008

.DISCUSSION...
LATEST SATELLITE AND RADAR HAVE THUNDERSTORM COMPLEX OVER WEST
CENTRAL MISSOURI AND MOVING SOUTHEAST. 850 WIND FORECAST FROM
ECMWF ALONG WITH MOISTURE TRANSPORT VECTORS SUGGEST THIS WILL
CONTINUE TO BE THE MAIN GENERATION AREA TONIGHT WITH STORMS
SLIDING SOUTHEAST ALONG 850-300 MB THICKNESS LINES TOWARD OUR CWA.

ALL MODELS SUGGEST THIS AREA OF CONVECTION WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE
SOUTHEAST OUT OF OUR AREA BY SUNDAY AFTERNOON. HOWEVER...LINGERING
MOISTURE AND MODERATE CAPE VALUES MAY ALLOW SCATTERED AFTERNOON
DEVELOPMENT ACROSS MOST OF THE AREA.

AN IMPULSE IS FORECAST TO MOVE OVER THE TOP OF THE RIDGE OVER
TEXAS BY LATE MONDAY. THIS WILL ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A
STRONG SURFACE LOW NEAR THE OKLAHOMA AREA WITH A WARM FRONT
DEVELOPING OVER ARKANSAS. AS THE WARM FRONT LIFTS ACROSS THE LOWER
OHIO VALLEY A COUPLE OF ROUNDS OF THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE OVER
THE REGION MONDAY AND INTO TUESDAY...ESPECIALLY OVER THE NORTHERN
SECTIONS...CLOSER TO THE FRONT.

THESE MAY LINGER OVER THE NORTHERN SECTIONS INTO WEDNESDAY...THEN
THERE WILL BE A BREAK AS A MUCH STRONGER IMPULSE MOVES INTO THE
PLAINS. THIS IMPULSE SHOULD DEEPEN A TROUGH OVER THE CENTRAL
PLAINS AND GRADUALLY MOVE INTO OUR AREA FRIDAY OR SATURDAY
BRINGING THE NEXT ROUND OF PRECIPITATION.

SEVERE THREAT LOOKS TO BE ISOLATED LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT
WITH FAVORABLE 0-8 BULK SHEAR AND HIGH CAPE VALUES. THIS
DIMINISHES SOMEWHAT OVERNIGHT. LINGERING MOISTURE AND DECENT
AFTERNOON HEATING MAY INITIATE A FEW ISOLATED SEVERE STORMS SUNDAY
AFTERNOON. MONDAY AFTERNOON INTO MONDAY NIGHT MAY BE MORE
WIDESPREAD WITH HAIL THE MAIN HAZARD AS THE WARM FRONT MOVES
THROUGH.

THE MODELS WERE IN PRETTY GOOD AGREEMENT FOR THIS TYPE OF PATTERN
AND TIME OF YEAR. FOLLOWED THE SREF RELATIVELY CLOSE IN THE SHORT
TERM AND HPC FROM THURSDAY INTO THE WEEKEND.

COMPROMISED BETWEEN ALL GUIDANCE NUMBERS FOR TEMPERATURES.

&&

.AVIATION...
A WEAK FRONTAL BOUNDARY IN THE VICINITY WILL MAINTAIN A CHANCE OF
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE FORECAST TONIGHT AND SUNDAY. THE
GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY APPEARS TO BE TONIGHT
AFTER MIDNIGHT. OTHERWISE...VFR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED DURING THE
TERMINAL FORECAST PERIOD.

&&

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

SHORT TERM...RJP
LONG TERM....PS
AVIATION...RJP

Hazardous weather outlook, May 31, 8:04 AM CST, 14 hours 30 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
904 AM CDT SAT MAY 31 2008

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-011000-
JEFFERSON-WAYNE IL-EDWARDS-WABASH-PERRY IL-FRANKLIN-HAMILTON-
WHITE-JACKSON-WILLIAMSON-SALINE-GALLATIN-UNION IL-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-
904 AM CDT SAT MAY 31 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN
ILLINOIS...SOUTHWEST INDIANA...WESTERN KENTUCKY AND SOUTHEAST
MISSOURI.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

AS A WEAKENING BOUNDARY SAGS SOUTH THROUGH THE AREA...THERE IS A
CHANCE OF MORE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON INTO
TONIGHT AS THE ATMOSPHERE DESTABILIZES ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE
FRONT. THE BEST CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL EXIST OVER SOUTHEAST
MISSOURI...WESTERN KENTUCKY...AND EXTREME SOUTHERN ILLINOIS.

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS SOUTH OF A
PERRYVILLE MISSOURI TO CALHOUN KENTUCKY LINE. THE MAIN THREATS
WITH ANY SEVERE STORMS WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS AND LARGE HAIL. THE
STORMS WILL ALSO BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING VERY HEAVY RAINFALL OVER
A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

MOST OF THE STORMS ON SUNDAY SHOULD REMAIN SOUTH OF THE REGION
ALONG THE STALLED FRONTAL BOUNDARY...HOWEVER THERE IS A SLIGHT
RISK OF SEVERE STORMS SOUTH OF A LINE FROM GREENVILLE MISSOURI TO
MURRAY KENTUCKY. THE MAIN THREATS WITH THESE STORMS WILL BE
VERY HEAVY RAINFALL...DAMAGING WINDS...AND LARGE HAIL.

AS THE FRONT LIFTS BACK NORTH ON MONDAY INTO TUESDAY...THERE IS A
SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR THE ENTIRE QUAD STATE
REGION. THE MAIN THREATS WILL BE LARGE HAIL AND VERY HEAVY
RAINFALL.

A WEAK DISTURBANCE LATE IN THE WEEK MAY BRING ANOTHER SMALL CHANCE
FOR THUNDERSTORMS ON FRIDAY. THE CHANCE FOR WIDESPREAD SEVERE
WEATHER WITH THIS EVENT IS LOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE REQUIRED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 31, 6:02 PM CST, 4 hours 32 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
702 PM CDT SAT MAY 31 2008

ILZ076>078-010100-
WABASH IL-EDWARDS IL-WAYNE IL-
702 PM CDT SAT MAY 31 2008

...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT FOR NORTHEASTERN WAYNE COUNTY IN SOUTH
CENTRAL ILLINOIS...AND NORTHERN EDWARDS AND NORTHERN WABASH COUNTIES
IN SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS THROUGH 800 PM CDT...

AT 656 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH SMALL HAIL...AND VERY STRONG WINDS 40 TO 50
MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR MOUNT ERIE...MOVING EAST AT 31 MPH.
SOME COMMUNITIES THAT MAY BE AFFECTED BY THIS STORM ARE BONE
GAP...WEST SALEM AND LANCASTER.

FREQUENT LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM AS WELL. THIS STORM
WILL PRODUCE VERY HEAVY RAIN...WHICH MAY RESULT IN STANDING WATER ON
AREA ROADS. WATER LEVELS IN SMALL CREEKS...STREAMS AND IN DITCHES MAY
RISE QUICKLY...ESPECIALLY IN POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.

STAY TUNED TO WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL MEDIA FOR THE LATEST WEATHER
INFORMATION.

SMITTY

Local storm report, May 31, 8:46 PM CST, 1 hour 48 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
946 PM CDT SAT MAY 31 2008

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

0937 PM     HAIL             HERRIN                  37.80N 89.03W
05/31/2008  M1.00 INCH       WILLIAMSON         IL   AMATEUR RADIO

            NUMEROUS REPORTS OF QUARTER AND DIME SIZE HAIL THROUGHOUT
            THE COUNTY.

&&

SMITTY

Local storm report, May 31, 8:52 PM CST, 1 hour 42 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
952 PM CDT SAT MAY 31 2008

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

0951 PM     HAIL             5 N MARION              37.81N 88.94W
05/31/2008  M0.75 INCH       WILLIAMSON         IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            DIME SIZE HAIL REPORTED NORTH OF MARION WITH STRONG WINDS
            ASSOCIATED WITH THE STORM.

&&

SMITTY

Local storm report, May 31, 8:53 PM CST, 1 hour 41 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
953 PM CDT SAT MAY 31 2008

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

0952 PM     HAIL             MARION                  37.73N 88.94W
05/31/2008  M0.75 INCH       WILLIAMSON         IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            DIME SIZE HAIL REPORTED DOWNTOWN.

&&

SMITTY

Local storm report, May 31, 10:09 PM CST, 25 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
1109 PM CDT SAT MAY 31 2008

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

1045 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BERNIE                  36.67N 89.97W
05/31/2008                   STODDARD           MO   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DONW NEAR BERNIE WITH MARBLE SIZE HAIL REPORTED
            WITH THE STORM.

&&

SMITTY

Local storm report, May 31, 10:16 PM CST, 18 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
1116 PM CDT SAT MAY 31 2008

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

1050 PM     TSTM WND DMG     EDDYVILLE               37.50N 88.59W
05/31/2008                   POPE               IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            DOWNED TREES ALONG HIGHWAYS 34 AND 145.

&&

SMITTY

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Crittenden

When: May 31, 10:34 PM CST to 10:39 PM CST
Where: Crittenden County, Marion
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.330, -88.080

Thunderstorm Wind, Crittenden

When: May 31, 10:34 PM CST to 10:39 PM CST
Where: Crittenden County, Marion
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.330, -88.080

Downed trees and power lines were reported community wide.

Hail, Caldwell

When: May 31, 10:59 PM CST
Where: Caldwell County, Princeton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.120, -87.870

Thunderstorm Wind, Caldwell

When: May 31, 11:00 PM CST
Where: Caldwell County, Creswell to Princeton
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 37.270, -87.920

A couple miles southeast of Farmersville, a barn was levelled. Nearby barns were damaged, along with roofs of houses. Trees were blown down, mainly across northern parts of the county. Several roads were blocked, including Highways 139 and 70 near Creswell. Power outages occurred.

Thunderstorm Wind, Christian

When: May 31, 11:31 PM CST
Where: Christian County, Crofton
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.050, -87.480

Thunderstorm Wind, Todd

When: May 31, 11:52 PM CST
Where: Todd County, Elkton
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.820, -87.150

Thunderstorm Wind, Christian

When: May 31, 11:55 PM CST
Where: Christian County, Oak Grove
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $35,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.670, -87.430

Several trees were blown down, along with power lines. Two roofs were damaged. A few roadways were partially blocked.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.

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 Warnings in Kentucky, May 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: 93165, 93167, 93169, 93170, 93213, 93214, 93216.