Tornadoes and Hail in Kentucky, April 4, 2011

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Kentucky, April 4, 2011
Start: 2011-04-04T10:30
End: 2011-04-04T15:16
Location: Kentucky

April 4, 2011 · NWS LMK · 33 events in 18 counties and zones

A cold front moved in from the west during the day on April 4. Ahead of the cold front both speed and directional shear were noted across central Kentucky with a 50-60 kt low-level jet.

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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 33

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.

A cold front moved in from the west during the day on April 4. Ahead of the cold front both speed and directional shear were noted across central Kentucky with a 50-60 kt low-level jet. A QLCS with damaging winds and embedded tornadoes tracked across south-central Kentucky. This system produced 6 tornadoes across south central Kentucky as well as widespread wind damage and hail up to golf ball size.

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 Apr 4, 10:13 AM CST, 17 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 4, 10:13 AM CST, 17 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
1213 PM EDT MON APR 4 2011

...MESOSCALE UPDATE #2...

WELL...A NARROW AXIS OF 65 DEW POINTS HAVE SURGED NEWD TO OWB-HNB
DUE TO STRONG SSWLY LLVL WINDS.  LATEST VWP HAS 50 KTS AT 3K. MOST
OF THE AVAILABLE CAPE IS ELEVATED WITH 500 J/KG SFC CAPE AS FAR N AS
BWG. THE CAP HAS ALMOST ERODED AND A FEW PEAKS OF THE SUNSHINE
HAS FURTHER DESTABILIZE THE THE LLVLS.

1630-19Z
MAIN THREATS...DAMAGING WINDS
SPEEDS...55-75 MPH IN STRONG STORMS
LOCATION...WEST OF I 65
SECONDARY THREAT#1...HEAVY RAIN
SECONDARY THREAT#2...ISOL TORNADO ON BOWING SEGMENTS

THE 12Z SOUNDINGS HAD PWATS OF 1.1-1.3...BUT MODIFIED SOUNDINGS AND
LATEST SREF AND RUC ANALYSIS HAS PWATS OF 1.3-1.7" FROM ARLATX TO
WRN KY. THIS SUPPORTS LOCALIZED RAIN RATES OF 2"/HR OR EVEN HIGHER
WITH THE STRONGEST CELLS. THIS LEADS CREDENCE TO POSSIBLE THIS EVENT
BECOMING A MDT TO HEAVY RAIN THREAT LATE THIS AFTN AND EVENING AS
SWLY FLOW WILL PARALLEL THE FRONT.  RAINFALL AMOUNTS ACROSS OUR SERN
CWA...S OF A SCOTTSVILLE TO LEX LINE.

...MESOSCALE UPDATE #1...

LATEST LAPS FORECAST SOUNDINGS ALONG WITH SPC MESOANALYSIS SHOWS
THAT CAP IS QUICKLY ERODING ACROSS OUR WESTERN CWA. COLD AIR
ADVECTION AT THE 700 MB LEVEL WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE IN AS 60 TO 70
KNOT WINDS AHEAD OF THE TROUGH AXIS OVERSPREADS THE REGION. WITH A
BRIEF CLEARING IN CLOUD COVER THIS MORNING AND DEW POINTS IN THE LOW
TO MID 60S ADVECTING INTO THE REGION ENOUGH SURFACE BASED
INSTABILITY SHOULD EXIST FOR SIZABLE DAMAGING WIND THREAT...
ESPECIALLY ALONG AND EAST OF THE I 65 CORRIDOR. CURRENT
SURFACE WINDS ARE STILL SOUTHERLY LATE THIS MORNING...HOWEVER DO
EXPECT A GRADUAL VEERING IN RESPONSE TO COLD FRONT APPROACHING. THIS
WILL CREATE A MORE UNIDIRECTIONAL SHEAR PROFILE IN THE AFTERNOON
HOURS. EXPECT QLCS CONVECTIVE MODE TO CONTINUE TO ORGANIZE LATE THIS
MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON WITH INTENSIFYING LINE OF STORMS
IMPACTING THE I 65 CORRIDOR JUST AFTER NOON THROUGH AROUND 3 OR 4
PM. AS THE LINE MOVES EAST OF THE I 65 CORRIDOR EXPECT CONTINUED
STRENGTHENING AND ORGANIZATION. BOWING SEGMENTS WITH DAMAGING WIND
THREAT AS WELL AS AN ISOLATED TORNADO THREAT WILL LIKELY OCCUR. LINE
SHOULD IMPACT THE I 75 CORRIDOR AREA SOMETIME BETWEEN 3 PM AND 5 PM.

ALONG WITH THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT...HEAVY RAIN THREAT WILL ALSO
BE POSSIBLE AS RAPID STORM MOTION ALLOWS SEVERAL STORMS TO TRACK
PARALLEL TO FRONTAL MOVEMENT. THIS WILL ALLOW FOR REPEATED
THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE SAME AREA. LATEST ANALYSIS OF THE MOISTURE
COLUMN SHOWS PLUME OF PWATS OVER 1.5 INCHES ADVECTING INTO WESTERN
KENTUCKY ON 50 - 60 KNOT LLJ. STILL EXPECTING WIDESPREAD 1 TO 2
INCHES IN OUR WESTERN CWA WITH 2 TO 3 INCHES EAST OF THE I 65
CORRIDOR POSSIBLE.

.SHORT TERM (TODAY AND TONIGHT)...

...SEVERE WEATHER STILL LOOKS ON TRACK FOR TODAY...

AT 7Z A COLD FRONT WAS MOVING EAST ACROSS CENTRAL MO/WESTERN IL.
THIS FRONT IS STILL ON TRACK TO MOVE EASTWARD INTO OUR AREA THIS
AFTERNOON BRINGING STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS.  THE FIRST BATCH
OF T-STORMS MAY START IN SOUTHERN INDIANA AROUND 10-12Z THIS MORNING
ACCORDING TO THE 4Z HRRR AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE 0Z
EXPERIMENTAL LOCAL WRF.  THE 0Z NAM AND 21Z SREF DO NOT DEPICT THIS
EARLIER CONVECTION AS MUCH.  HOWEVER...IT COULD HAPPEN ALONG A LEFT
OVER BOUNDARY WHICH IS PUSHING SE OVER SOUTHERN IL/EASTERN MO AS OF
7Z.  WILL BE WATCHING THIS CLOSELY OVER NEXT FEW HOURS.

HOWEVER...THE MAIN THREAT FOR SEVERE STORMS WON/T ARRIVE UNTIL THIS
AFTERNOON IN THE 18Z TO 0Z TIME FRAME AS THE FRONT PASSES THROUGH.
A SQUALL LINE IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP BY EARLY/MID AFTERNOON WITH
EMBEDDED INTENSE CELLULAR STRUCTURES.  BULK SHEAR VALUES STILL LOOK
VERY IMPRESSIVE AND ARE IN SUPPORT OF A MAIN WIND DAMAGE THREAT.
SECONDARY THREATS WILL BE HAIL AND AN ISLD TORNADO.  NOT A WHOLE LOT
OF CAPE IN HAIL GROWTH ZONE SO THAT WILL BE SOMEWHAT OF A LIMITING
FACTOR FOR HAIL.  ALTHOUGH AN ISLD TORNADO CANNOT BE RULED OUT...LL
WIND SHEAR AND MOISTURE ARE LACKING ACCORDING TO MODEL SOUNDINGS.

FLASH FLOODING POTENTIAL LOOKS A LITTLE LESS AS STORMS WILL BE
MOVING PRETTY FAST.  1-2 INCHES OF QPF IS EXPECTED.  HOWEVER...IN
LOCATIONS THAT MAY RECEIVE REPEATED T-STORMS...2-3 INCHES OF QPF IS
POSSIBLE WHICH MAY RESULT IN FLOODING ISSUES.

KEEP ABREAST OF THE LATEST WATCHES AND WARNINGS FOR THIS AFTERNOON
AT WEATHER.GOV/LOUISVILLE OR ON NOAA WEATHER RADIO.

THE FRONT WILL BLOW THROUGH THE AREA THIS EVENING WITH SOME LEFT
OVER LIGHT SHOWERS STICKING AROUND THROUGH ABOUT MIDNIGHT...THEN
EXITING SHORTLY AFTER.

WINDS...WITH GUSTS IN THE 35 TO 40 MPH RANGE OBSERVED OVER MUCH OF
THE AREA THIS MORNING...WILL GO AHEAD AND START THE WIND ADVY NOW
INSTEAD OF 10 AM EDT.  SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL BE GUSTY OUTSIDE OF ANY
THUNDERSTORMS UP TO 40 TO 50 MPH TODAY.

AS FOR TEMPERATURES...THERE IS GREAT BUST POTENTIAL IN HIGHS FOR
TODAY DEPENDING ON WHEN/WHERE THE CONVECTION GETS STARTED.  FOR
NOW...WILL BANK ON SOUTHERN INDIANA RAINS THIS MORNING RESULTING IN
HIGH TEMPS IN THE UPPER 60S TO LOW 70S NORTH OF THE OHIO RIVER AND
MID TO UPPER 70S SOUTH OF THE OHIO RIVER.  LOWS TONIGHT WILL BE IN
THE MID 30S TO AROUND 40.

.LONG TERM (TUESDAY - MONDAY)...

OUR FOCUS TODAY ON THIS AFTN/EVENING SEVERE WX EVENT.

WE ARE IN GOOD AGREEMENT WITH OUR NEIGHBORS BEGINNING TUE INTO THE
WEEKEND AND WILL MAKE JUST SUBTLE TWEAKS ON THE GRIDS/FORECAST.

BASICALLY...

COOL AT THE START FOR TNGT/TUE AFTER FRONTAL PASSAGE WITH WARMING
TEMPS TO NEAR 80 BY THE WEEKEND. DRY FOR MOST FOLKS THRU THE PERIOD
WITH SHOWER/TSTM CHCS BEGINNING THU AFTN AND CONTINUING INTO THE
WEEKEND. THESE SHUD BE SCATTERED WITH THE GREATEST COVERAGE ACRS THE
NORTHERN QUARTER OF OUR FORECAST AREA.

&&

.AVIATION (12Z TAF ISSUANCE)...

LOW END VFR...POSSIBLY SOME MVFR CIGS THIS MORNING AS CONVECTION
ATTEMPTS TO ORGANIZE.  NOT CONFIDENT ON CONVECTIVE ORGANIZATION AND
COVERAGE THIS MORNING SO WILL GO WITH VCTS AND CB...BUT THAT MIGHT
NEED UPGRADED IF CONVECTION BLOSSOMS AS THE LATEST HRRR MODEL
SUGGESTS. SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO GUST THROUGHOUT THE DAY
IN THE 35 TO 45 MPH RANGE.

THE MAIN TAF CONCERN FOR THIS FORECAST PERIOD WILL THEN TURN TO A
COLD FRONT TRACKING EAST ACROSS EASTERN MISSOURI/CENTRAL ILLINOIS AS
OF 1030Z THIS MORNING.  THIS FRONT WILL MAKE IT/S WAY INTO THE TAF
SITES THIS AFTERNOON BRINGING WITH IT T-STORMS.  STORM STRENGTH AND
INTENSITY WILL INCREASE THIS AFTERNOON AS THE COLD FRONT DRAWS NEAR
WITH THE BEST CHANCE FOR STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS BETWEEN ABOUT 4/17Z
TO 5/2Z.  STRONG WINDS AND HAIL WILL BE THE MAIN THREATS FROM ANY
SEVERE T-STORM THAT MAY MAKE IT INTO THE TAF SITES.  HAVE
HIGHLIGHTED THE STRONGER WINDS IN THIS TAF ISSUANCE BUT WILL NAIL
DOWN ANYTHING SEVERE THIS AFTERNOON AS THE STORMS APPROACH THE
TERMINALS. CIGS/VSBYS WILL LIKELY BE REDUCED TO MVFR CONDITIONS
POSSIBLY IFR IN THE STRONG STORMS AS WELL.

FROPA SHOULD OCCUR AT 23Z AT SDF...0Z AT BWG...AND 2Z AT LEX
RESPECTIVELY.  WINDS WILL SHIFT TO THE WNW REMAINING GUSTY 20-25KTS
THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.  CONVECTION WILL LOSE IT/S PUNCH AFTER THE
FROPA BEING REDUCED TO POST-FRONTAL SHOWERS AND MVFR CIGS.

&&

.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT /11 PM CDT/ TONIGHT FOR
     KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067-070>078-081-082.

IN...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT /11 PM CDT/ TONIGHT FOR
     INZ076>079-083-084-089>092.

&&

MESOSCALE......JDG/BJS
SHORT TERM.....BJS
LONG TERM......13
AVIATION.......BJS

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 4, 9:42 AM CST, 48 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
1142 AM EDT MON APR 4 2011

INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067-
070>078-081-082-051545-
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-
1142 AM EDT MON APR 4 2011 /1042 AM CDT MON APR 4 2011/

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

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

ONGOING STRONG AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE INTO
SOUTHERN INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY THROUGH THE AFTERNOON AS A
POWERFUL COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH THE OHIO AND TENNESSEE VALLEYS.
STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS ARE LIKELY ACROSS ALL OF THE REGION THIS
AFTERNOON. DAMAGING WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN WILL BE THE MAIN THREATS
WITH ISOLATED TORNADOES AND LARGE HAIL AS SECONDARY THREATS. AREAS
ALONG AND WEST OF THE I 65 CORRIDOR WILL HAVE THE BEST SHOT AT
SEVERE WEATHER THROUGH THE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING HOURS.

ADDITIONALLY...LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE AS
WIDESPREAD 1 TO 2 INCH RAINFALL AMOUNTS ARE ANTICIPATED. LOCALLY
HIGHER AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 3 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN AREAS THAT SEE
REPEATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS AND MAY CAUSE FLASH FLOODING.

OUTSIDE OF ANY THUNDERSTORMS...GRADIENT WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH
GUSTS IN THE 40 TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED. A WIND ADVISORY IS IN
EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

ISOLATED TO SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THURSDAY NIGHT
THROUGH SUNDAY AS A FRONT MEANDERS FROM THE MID MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
INTO THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. THE MOST WIDESPREAD ACTIVITY SHOULD BE
OVER SOUTHERN INDIANA.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT ANY WIND DAMAGE...MEASURED WIND
GUSTS...OR HAIL TODAY AND TONIGHT.

AML/BJS

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 4, 8:38 AM CST, 1 hour 52 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
1038 AM EDT MON APR 4 2011

INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067-
070>078-081-082-050000-
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-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PAOLI...SALEM...SCOTTSBURG...MADISON...
JASPER...MARENGO...TELL CITY...CORYDON...NEW ALBANY...
JEFFERSONVILLE...HAWESVILLE...HARDINSBURG...BRANDENBURG...
BEAVER DAM...LEITCHFIELD...ELIZABETHTOWN...FORT KNOX...
MOUNT WASHINGTON...SHEPHERDSVILLE...LOUISVILLE...LA GRANGE...
BEDFORD...NEW CASTLE...SHELBYVILLE...FRANKFORT...GEORGETOWN...
CYNTHIANA...TAYLORSVILLE...LAWRENCEBURG...VERSAILLES...
LEXINGTON...PARIS...CARLISLE...BARDSTOWN...SPRINGFIELD...
HARRODSBURG...NICHOLASVILLE...WINCHESTER...HODGENVILLE...
LEBANON...DANVILLE...LANCASTER...RICHMOND...MORGANTOWN...
BROWNSVILLE...MUNFORDVILLE...GREENSBURG...CAMPBELLSVILLE...
LIBERTY...STANFORD...RUSSELLVILLE...BOWLING GREEN...FRANKLIN...
SCOTTSVILLE...GLASGOW...TOMPKINSVILLE...EDMONTON...COLUMBIA...
JAMESTOWN...BURKESVILLE...ALBANY
1040 AM EDT MON APR 4 2011 /940 AM CDT MON APR 4 2011/

...SEVERE WEATHER AND HEAVY RAIN LIKELY TODAY AND TONIGHT...

A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES
TODAY...DRAGGING A COLD FRONT THROUGH OUR AREA. AHEAD OF THIS COLD
FRONT...A VERY MOIST AND MODERATELY UNSTABLE AIRMASS WILL MOVE INTO
THE REGION COMBINED WITH VERY STRONG LOW AND MID LEVEL WINDS. THIS
PATTERN WILL SET THE STAGE FOR STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS ACROSS
SOUTHERN INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY THROUGH THIS EVENING AS THE
FRONT PASSES. THE MAIN THUNDERSTORM THREAT WILL BE WIDESPREAD
DAMAGING WINDS...ASSOCIATED WITH A STRENGTHENING SQUALL LINE. THE
PRIME AREAS WILL BE IN KENTUCKY EAST OF INTERSTATE 65 IN THE
AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING. AN ISOLATED TORNADO AND LARGE HAIL ARE
POSSIBLE AS WELL.

ALONG WITH THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...HEAVY RAINFALL WITH
WIDESPREAD 1 TO 2 INCH RAINFALL AMOUNTS APPEARS LIKELY. 2-3
INCH AMOUNTS ARE POSSIBLE EAST OF I-65 IN KENTUCKY. RAINFALL
AMOUNTS OVER 2 INCHES MAY CAUSE FLASH FLOODING IN SOME LOCATIONS.

MONITOR THE LATEST FORECAST UPDATES AND WATCH...WARNING
INFORMATION AT OUR WEBSITE AT WEATHER.GOV/LOUISVILLE OR ON NOAA
WEATHER RADIO.

AML/BJS

Special weather statement, Apr 4, 8:56 AM CST, 1 hour 34 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
1056 AM EDT MON APR 4 2011

KYZ024-026-027-041515-
BRECKINRIDGE-GRAYSON-OHIO-
956 AM CDT MON APR 4 2011

...THUNDERSTORM WITH HEAVY RAIN...PENNY SIZE HAIL...AND WIND GUSTS
AROUND 40 MPH OVER OHIO COUNTY...

AT 950 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A
THUNDERSTORM 8 MILES NORTHEAST OF HARTFORD...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT
60 MPH.

CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...HEAVY RAIN WITH RAINFALL RATES OF AROUND
ONE INCH PER HOUR REDUCING VISIBILITIES TO LESS THAN ONE MILE...
PENNY SIZE HAIL...AND GUSTY WINDS AROUND 40 MPH...ARE EXPECTED WITH
THIS STORM.

THE STORM WILL AFFECT THE TOWNS OF DUNDEE...SHREVE...OLATON...
DEMPSTER...GLEN DEAN...AND NEARBY COMMUNITIES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

STAY TUNED TO NOAA ALL HAZARDS RADIO...WEATHER.GOV/LOUISVILLE ON THE
INTERNET...OR LOCAL MEDIA FOR LATER UPDATES.

&&

LAT...LON 3768 8670 3766 8663 3771 8664 3779 8643
      3761 8627 3760 8628 3745 8686 3760 8691
TIME...MOT...LOC 1452Z 246DEG 57KT 3756 8677

TWF

Special weather statement, Apr 4, 9:51 AM CST, 39 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
1151 AM EDT MON APR 4 2011

INZ076-083-084-089-090-KYZ023>025-041615-
BRECKINRIDGE-CRAWFORD-DUBOIS-HANCOCK-HARRISON-MEADE-ORANGE-PERRY-
1151 AM EDT MON APR 4 2011

...THUNDERSTORMS WITH DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...HEAVY RAIN...SMALL
HAIL...AND 40 TO 50 MPH WINDS...

AT 1142 AM EDT/1042 AM CDT/...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR
WAS TRACKING STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 9 MILES
NORTHWEST OF JASPER TO DALE TO 9 MILES NORTHEAST OF WHITESVILLE...AND
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH.

FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...HEAVY RAIN WITH RAINFALL RATES
OF AROUND ONE INCH PER HOUR REDUCING VISIBILITIES TO LESS THAN ONE
MILE...SMALL PEA OR DIME SIZE HAIL...AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS OF AROUND
45 TO 50 MPH...ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS.

THESE STORMS WILL IMPACT JASPER...TELL CITY...PAOLI...ENGLISH...
HAWESVILLE AND HARDINSBURG BY 1215 PM EDT OR 1115 AM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS...SEEK SHELTER INDOORS AND
STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. STAY TUNED TO NOAA ALL HAZARDS RADIO...
WEATHER.GOV/LOUISVILLE ON THE INTERNET...OR LOCAL MEDIA FOR LATER
UPDATES AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

&&

LAT...LON 3851 8708 3852 8700 3850 8695 3853 8685
      3853 8670 3864 8669 3869 8640 3838 8631
      3822 8622 3782 8607 3766 8666 3772 8680
      3794 8695 3799 8686 3801 8678 3810 8679
      3813 8682 3819 8680 3821 8708
TIME...MOT...LOC 1545Z 255DEG 67KT 3851 8698 3823 8698
          3775 8665

DK

Special weather statement, Apr 4, 10:21 AM CST, 9 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
1221 PM EDT MON APR 4 2011

INZ077>079-084-090>092-041645-
CLARK-CRAWFORD-FLOYD-HARRISON-JEFFERSON-SCOTT-WASHINGTON-
1221 PM EDT MON APR 4 2011

...THUNDERSTORMS WITH DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...HEAVY RAIN...SMALL
HAIL...AND 40 TO 50 MPH WINDS...

AT 1214 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 12 MILES NORTHEAST
OF PAOLI TO 11 MILES WEST OF CORYDON...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 65
MPH.

FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...HEAVY RAIN WITH RAINFALL RATES
OF AROUND ONE INCH PER HOUR REDUCING VISIBILITIES TO LESS THAN ONE
MILE...SMALL PEA OR DIME SIZE HAIL...AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS OF 40 TO
50 MPH...ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS.

* THESE STORMS WILL ALSO IMPACT...
  SCOTTSBURG...
  SALEM...
  CORYDON...
  SHORTS CORNER AND PLATTSBURG...
  HARRISTOWN AND PUMPKIN CENTER...
  LITTLE YORK AND BUNKER HILL...
  MEMPHIS AND SELLERSBURG...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS...SEEK SHELTER INDOORS AND
STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. STAY TUNED TO NOAA ALL HAZARDS RADIO...
WEATHER.GOV/LOUISVILLE ON THE INTERNET...OR LOCAL MEDIA FOR LATER
UPDATES AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

&&

LAT...LON 3853 8545 3810 8629 3816 8631 3876 8630
      3879 8622 3878 8617 3879 8609 3875 8599
      3876 8592 3873 8587 3881 8581 3883 8574
      3883 8565 3889 8558 3889 8556 3892 8555
      3892 8544
TIME...MOT...LOC 1620Z 241DEG 69KT 3873 8619 3823 8619

DK

Special weather statement, Apr 4, 10:22 AM CST, 8 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
1222 PM EDT MON APR 4 2011

KYZ026-027-041645-
GRAYSON-OHIO-
1122 AM CDT MON APR 4 2011

...THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN...DIME SIZE HAIL...AND WIND GUSTS
AROUND 40 MPH HEADED TOWARD OHIO COUNTY...

AT 1114 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR SHOWED
THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 10 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
LIVERMORE TO 12 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CENTRAL CITY...AND MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 65 MPH.

CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...HEAVY RAIN WITH RAINFALL RATES OF AROUND
ONE INCH PER HOUR REDUCING VISIBILITIES TO LESS THAN ONE MILE...
DIME SIZE HAIL...AND GUSTY WINDS AROUND 40 MPH...ARE EXPECTED WITH
THESE STORMS.

TOWNS AFFECTED INCLUDE BEAVER DAM...BUFORD...AND HARTFORD.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

STAY TUNED TO NOAA ALL HAZARDS RADIO...WEATHER.GOV/LOUISVILLE ON THE
INTERNET...OR LOCAL MEDIA FOR LATER UPDATES.

&&

LAT...LON 3748 8713 3754 8708 3762 8698 3765 8687
      3771 8677 3763 8664 3757 8661 3758 8657
      3750 8644 3731 8676 3733 8681 3730 8682
      3721 8691 3727 8699 3732 8700 3736 8704
      3736 8709 3733 8711 3734 8713
TIME...MOT...LOC 1619Z 242DEG 69KT 3744 8716 3726 8684

TWF

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

25 thunderstorm wind, 6 tornado, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: April 4, 10:30 AM CST
Where: Butler County, Sugar Grove
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 37.080, -86.670

A store sustained some structural damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: April 4, 10:30 AM CST
Where: Butler County, Morgantown
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 37.220, -86.700

Tom's Building supply sustained some structural damage. Several large trees were also blown down in town.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ohio

When: April 4, 11:13 AM CST
Where: Ohio County, 0.88 mi NE of Prentiss
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 37.340, -86.840

Several trees were blown down along SR 269 in Prentiss. Time is estimated based on radar.

Tornado, Butler

When: April 4, 11:26 AM CST to 11:29 AM CST
Where: Butler County, 1.29 mi NW of Sharer to 1.63 mi E of Needmore
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3.38 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.094, -86.695

An NWS storm survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down 1.7 miles west-northwest of Sugar Grove near the intersection of Dimple and Belcher Roads. The tornado continued for four minutes along a 3.4 mile long path with winds to 100 mph, lifting 0.7 miles northeast of Needmore. The path was 50 yards wide. Near Needmore trees were snapped and a section of a residence's roof was removed. Elsewhere along the path minor roof damage occurred and a mobile home was moved from its foundation. The tornado lifted just east of the William H. Natcher/Green River Parkway.

Thunderstorm Wind, Logan

When: April 4, 11:34 AM CST
Where: Logan County, 1.3 mi ESE of Jerico
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.990, -86.950

Law enforcement reported a tree blown down.

Tornado, Grayson

When: April 4, 11:38 AM CST to 11:42 AM CST
Where: Grayson County, 1.56 mi SE of Neafus to 1.96 mi NW of Ready
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3.41 mi
Path width: 125 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.383, -86.561

An NWS storm survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado began at the Butler/Grayson County line just north of Dog Creek Road and ended near the intersection of J. D. Hudson Road and Coats Road. Winds reached 100 mph along its 3 mile long and 125 yard wide path. The storm cut a very narrow path through trees immediately west of KY 79 near Gracie Lane, with a number of trees snapped and uprooted. One of the trees along Gracie Lane fell on power lines, tearing them down. Metal roofing on a barn was blown off and pushed a few hundred yards downwind into the woods. A small well-constructed shed was pushed over onto its side, and another small shed was destroyed. In addition a nearby house had its metal roof blown off. The tornado may have begun to skip intermittently through some woods east of KY 79 as only a few trees lost some limbs near the intersection of Delmar Lindsey Lane and Lawrence Hayes Road. However, just to the east of this location, along Coats Road, a metal outbuilding was destroyed consistent with EF-1 damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: April 4, 11:39 AM CST
Where: Butler County, 1.49 mi NNE of Needmore
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.140, -86.660

Numerous trees were blown down countywide. There was unspecified structural damage. The worst damage was along Highway 231 in the south part of the county.

Tornado, Grayson

When: April 4, 11:41 AM CST to 11:43 AM CST
Where: Grayson County, 0.71 mi NE of Caneyville to 1.61 mi E of Caneyville
Rating: EF1
Path length: 1.01 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.426, -86.489

An NWS storm survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Caneyville and lifted a mile east of Caneyville, with a path width of 200 yards and wind speeds to 100 mph. The funnel reached the ground near the intersection of North Main Street and River Park Drive where a tree was blown down onto a restaurant. Next to that location a baseball field had the metal roofs blown off the cinder block dugout with a number of cinder blocks blown several feet east of the dugout. A few trees were snapped as well. About half a mile to the east along US 62 at the Caneyville Milling Company three large empty metal grain bins were moved off their foundations causing damage to nearby objects. A mobile home had its metal roof blown off into a nearby pond and insulation was blown along the ground and into a couple of trees. A tractor trailer was blown over and several trees were uprooted or snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hardin

When: April 4, 12:47 PM EST
Where: Hardin County, 1.04 mi SSW of Radcliff
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.816, -85.958

A spotter reported a measured wind gust of 59 mph on SR 313 at mile marker 14.

Thunderstorm Wind, Edmonson

When: April 4, 11:48 AM CST
Where: Edmonson County, 1.49 mi SSW of Huff
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 37.230, -86.380

A CoCoRaHS observer reported a measured wind gust of 64 mph and pea sized hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Edmonson

When: April 4, 11:50 AM CST
Where: Edmonson County, 2.15 mi SW of Ollie
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.230, -86.210

Trees were blown down throughout the county. The highest concentration was from the central portion toward the north and east, near the Hart county border. Locations referenced include Indian Creek and Ollie Rd.

Hail, Hart

When: April 4, 12:02 PM CST
Where: Hart County, 0.55 mi E of Priceville
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.370, -85.970

Hail, Hart

When: April 4, 12:03 PM CST
Where: Hart County, Priceville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 37.370, -85.980

In addition to the hail wind gusts were estimated to be 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bullitt

When: April 4, 1:17 PM EST
Where: Bullitt County, 0.71 mi NNE of Brooks
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.080, -85.696

The Bullitt county EMA reported a tree down on power lines at Hillview Blvd. and E. Blue Lick Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind, Larue

When: April 4, 1:23 PM EST
Where: Larue County, Magnolia
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 37.450, -85.750

Thunderstorm Wind, Anderson

When: April 4, 1:40 PM EST
Where: Anderson County, 0.66 mi NNE of Lawrenceburg
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.039, -84.895

Media reported a tree down on power lines on Hwy. 44 at mile marker 7 in Anderson county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Barren

When: April 4, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Barren County, Temple Hill
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.880, -85.830

Several trees were blown down, especially near the Monroe county line. Barns were also blown down and a tree fell through a house.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: April 4, 1:46 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, 2.22 mi W of Grandview
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.720, -85.720

An NWS storm survey found six storage bins knocked down. A 40 x 100 foot farm building was destroyed. A 20 x 30 foot shed was blown down. Two farm trailers were blown over. A 550 pound concrete rooster was knocked over when a wagon was blown into it.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: April 4, 1:47 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, 1.19 mi SSW of Bushong
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.734, -85.658

Building damage was reported on Radio Station Rd. Metal roofs were blown off barns on Cornwall Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: April 4, 1:50 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, 0.1 mi N of Tompkinsville
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 36.702, -85.680

A roof of a house was significantly damaged on Capp Harlan Rd. A CMV trailer was also blown over on its side and several trees were blown down.

Tornado, Monroe

When: April 4, 1:55 PM CST to 1:56 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, 2.91 mi NW of Otia to 2.73 mi NW of Otia
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.19 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.709, -85.609

An NWS storm survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado with 90 mph winds touched down approximately one mile west of the intersection of KY 214 and KY 953, and lifted a minute later one-quarter of a mile east of where it started. The path width was 75 yards. A 60x30 foot barn was damaged with parts of it thrown 400 yards toward the east, northeast, and southeast. Multiple trees were snapped and uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hardin

When: April 4, 2:55 PM EST
Where: Hardin County, 1.49 mi SSW of St John
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 37.680, -85.980

The Hardin county mesonet measured a gust of 62 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cumberland

When: April 4, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Cumberland County, 0.55 mi W of Gradyville
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 37.080, -85.430

The Cumberland county mesonet recorded a gust of 61 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: April 4, 2:05 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, 0.55 mi W of Tompkinsville
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 36.700, -85.690

Trees were reported down countywide. Widespread damage to homes was reported and a tractor trailer was blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind, Adair

When: April 4, 2:05 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 2.6 mi WNW of Garlin
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 37.134, -85.294

The Adair county mesonet measured a gust of 62 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: April 4, 3:06 PM EST
Where: Madison County, 0.88 mi SE of Richmond
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.741, -84.289

A tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Russell

When: April 4, 2:11 PM CST
Where: Russell County, 0.23 mi W of Russell Spgs
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.050, -85.084

A roof was blown off a building at Highway Auto Auction on Hwy. 127. Jasper and Hammons appliance on Lakeway Dr. had roof damage.

Tornado, Clinton

When: April 4, 2:14 PM CST to 2:15 PM CST
Where: Clinton County, 2.64 mi ESE of Albany Arpt to 2.8 mi ESE of Albany Arpt
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.25 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.649, -85.180

An NWS storm survey confirmed a short-lived EF-1 tornado with winds to 90 mph touched down approximately 4.25 miles southwest of Albany. A large boat storage barn, 125 x 30 feet, had its roof lifted and thrown approximately 90 yards. A second storage shed was also destroyed. A house along the path had a window blown out. On either side of the tornado track straight-line wind damage extended out 100 yards with limbs and trees blown down. The straight-line winds were estimated at 70 mph.

Tornado, Clinton

When: April 4, 2:16 PM CST to 2:17 PM CST
Where: Clinton County, 1.33 mi NNW of Seventy Six to 1.28 mi NNW of Seventy Six
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.22 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.797, -85.140

An NWS storm survey confirmed an EF-0 tornado with winds to 85 mph struck northern Clinton County about three-quarters of a mile north-northeast of Seventy-Six. Multiple pine, ash, and oak trees were snapped and uprooted along the path of the tornado.

Thunderstorm Wind, Russell

When: April 4, 2:16 PM CST
Where: Russell County, 0.88 mi SE of Whittle
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.011, -84.959

A barn and trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Casey

When: April 4, 3:16 PM EST
Where: Casey County, Windsor
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 37.130, -84.920

A mobile home was missing a 10 to 12 foot section of roof. Another mobile home had the roof blown off its porch. A barn was blown down. Another barn near a house had metal roof sections removed. Numerous trees were blown down. An NWS storm survey team determined that winds gusted up to 80 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Russell

When: April 4, 2:20 PM CST
Where: Russell County, 2.07 mi S of Irvins Store
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.050, -84.930

A concrete block foundation barn collapsed and trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: April 4, 2:23 PM CST
Where: Clinton County, 0.89 mi NW of Albany
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.689, -85.141

Law enforcement reports large buildings were damaged. Nickel size hail accompanied the damaging winds.

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 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Kentucky, 2011 Warnings in Kentucky, April 2011

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: 297883, 297884, 297885, 305375, 297886, 305379, 297887, 305381, 297892, 297888, 297889, 297890, 297891, 297893, 297894, 305654, 305653, 305657, 305658, 305661, 305421, 305670, 305662, 305663, 305665, 305671, 305666, 305422, 305423, 305667, 305672, 305668, 305669.