A weak low level jet and the approach of a surface trough led to the development of numerous thunderstorms during the early morning hours on May 29th. A few storms produced isolated instances of large hail and damaging winds.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS LMK wrote it up.
A weak low level jet and the approach of a surface trough led to the development of numerous thunderstorms during the early morning hours on May 29th. A few storms produced isolated instances of large hail and damaging winds. One slow moving cluster of storms produced excessive rainfall across Floyd and southern Clark Counties, located just across the river from Louisville. Despite antecedent dry conditions, an estimated 3 inches of rain falling within 3 hours produced scattered street flooding.
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 May 29, 2:17 AM EST, 1 hour 13 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY 317 AM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012 .Short Term (Today through Wednesday)... Issued at 315 AM EDT Tue May 29 2012 A cold front currently stretched southwestward from the Great Lakes region to Oklahoma continues to approach the our area from the west. A concentrated area of showers and thunderstorms have developed along and ahead of this front, with a narrow area of generally isolated convection developing around our north and northwest CWA at this time. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will increase as the front moves across the forecast area today. As the front moves east into the Bluegrass region, there may be a chance for some stronger storms during the afternoon hours if that area receives enough heating. These storms could produce gusty winds and hail. However, some guidance suggests showers and thunderstorms could develop a little earlier this morning, which would reduce the slightly stronger afternoon storm potential. Either way, the storms should move out of the area from west to east during the late afternoon and early evening hours. Precip amounts do not appear too impressive, with an average of only 2-3 tenths of an inch possible. This system has not and still does not appear to be the widespread rain maker we really could use. High pressure building in behind the front will provide clearing skies and dry conditions tonight through Wednesday. As mentioned in the previous AFD, temperatures will be a tricky forecast today, given likely variations in cloud cover and precip coverage. However, latest model consensus still indicates mid and upper 80s remain a good bet. With a dry and cooler air mass building over the region tonight, lows will be cooler, dropping into the upper 50s and lower 60s. There could be some patchy fog overnight, particularly across our southeast CWA where it might take a little longer to dry out. So, have added this to the forecast. Wednesday is shaping up to be a great day, with generally light northerly winds, lower humidity, mostly sunny skies, and highs topping out in the upper 70s to lower 80s across the north, with mid-upper 80s across the south. .Long Term (Wednesday Night through Monday)... Issued at 305 AM EDT Tue May 29 2012 Period will transition from a quiet Wednesday to a more active end of the week as an upper trough, now over the Pacific northwest states, moves into the Northern Plains Wednesday night. The models each handle the development of a surface low ahead of this feature differently, but the consensus has something developing roughly centered near the Ozarks Thursday morning. By that afternoon, this surface low is forced quickly northeast in the latest UKMET, GFS, NAM, and the 28/12Z EC, dragging a cold front into extreme western Kentucky. Expect a good shot at rain here, either from this band of storms or from the warm front extending out ahead of the surface low. By Friday morning, only the 28/12Z EC has the front through the region. The GFS and the more outlier GEM not mentioned above, as well as the SREF and GFDL all hang it around the area through Friday. Previous forecast kept in some rain chances through the day Friday, and the AllBlend comes up with similar numbers. Depending on the time of the day and how far east this front progresses, we may be able to see some severe storms develop ahead of the front. The proximity to both fronts and the strength of the system could allow for an isolated tornado to develop along with the other severe weather threats. After the front moves through on Friday, the weekend looks below normal for temperatures with high pressure building into the region Saturday but clouds hanging in their as the forcing upper low continues to affect us from its center over southeast Ontario. Sunday should be closer to normal, with more of a southerly flow. More of a concern here would be the northwest flow aloft, notorious for bringing in difficult to forecast storm systems. Monday should continue the warmup as the ridge that is responsible for that northwest flow gets closer to our region. && .Aviation (06Z TAF Issuance)... Updated at 110 AM EDT Tue May 29 2012 A cold front currently stretched southwestward from Lake Michigan to Oklahoma will approach the region from the west this morning and move through the area during the day. Still expecting VFR conditions through most of the forecast period. If winds do not stay up just a bit and clouds do not increase, there could be some lower vis similar to the last few mornings. Also, could experience brief lower vis if a thunderstorm moves over a TAF site. Otherwise, latest data suggests that showers and thunderstorms will increase across the area, mainly after about 09Z. A few models depict slightly earlier development, so will continue to monitor trends this morning. Thunderstorm coverage still looks to be scattered at this time, so will continue with vicinity wording for now. Winds will shift from southwest to northwest as the front passes through this afternoon. High pressure building in behind the front will provide clearing skies and dry conditions for the rest of the period. && .LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IN...NONE. KY...NONE. Short Term.......MJP Long Term........RJS Aviation.........MJP
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY 345 AM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012 INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067- 070>078-081-082-300745- 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- 345 AM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012 /245 AM CDT TUE MAY 29 2012/ THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE TODAY AS A COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH THE REGION. BRIEF HIGH WIND GUSTS...SMALL HAIL...AND HEAVY RAIN MAY OCCUR WITH THE STRONGER STORMS. THE BEST CHANCE FOR ANY STRONG STORMS WILL BE IN THE MIDDLE AND LATE AFTERNOON OVER THE BLUEGRASS. ALL STORMS PRODUCE DANGEROUS LIGHTNING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. THE LATEST FORECASTS SUGGEST THAT A BETTER CHANCE OF WIDESPREAD THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY EXISTS FOR THE THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON TIME PERIOD. AN UNSEASONABLY STRONG WEATHER SYSTEM IS FORECAST TO MOVE INTO THE OHIO VALLEY FROM THE WEST AND THIS SYSTEM MAY BRING STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TO THE OUTLOOK AREA. THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY WITH THE EVENTUAL EVOLUTION OF THIS WEATHER SYSTEM. THEREFORE...STAY TUNED TO FORECASTS THIS WEEK FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS WEATHER SITUATION. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTERS ACTIVATION MAY BE REQUIRED THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON. MJP/RJS
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
355 AM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012
INZ083-290830-
DUBOIS-
355 AM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...HEAVY RAIN...AND
HALF INCH HAIL...
AT 345 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM JASPER TO 7 MILES
WEST OF JASPER...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...HEAVY RAIN WITH RAINFALL RATES
OF AROUND ONE INCH PER HOUR REDUCING VISIBILITIES TO LESS THAN ONE
MILE...AND HALF INCH HAIL...ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS.
* THESE STORMS WILL ALSO IMPACT...
DUBOIS...
CRYSTAL AND CUZCO...
HILLHAM AND THALES...
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 3850 8696 3849 8695 3851 8694 3850 8688
3853 8684 3853 8669 3846 8668 3835 8688
3835 8708 3842 8708
TIME...MOT...LOC 0755Z 230DEG 30KT 3844 8684 3842 8697
RSSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
410 AM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012
INZ083-290845-
DUBOIS-
410 AM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...HEAVY RAIN...HALF
INCH HAIL...AND 45 MPH WINDS...
AT 305 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 9 MILES NORTHEAST OF
DALE TO 6 MILES WEST OF DALE...AND MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...HEAVY RAIN WITH RAINFALL RATES
OF AROUND ONE INCH PER HOUR REDUCING VISIBILITIES TO LESS THAN ONE
MILE...HALF INCH HAIL...AND GUSTY WINDS OF AROUND 40 TO 50 MPH...ARE
EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS.
* THESE STORMS WILL ALSO IMPACT...
SAINT MARKS AND SAINT ANTHONY...
SAINT HENRY...
KYANA...
SCHNELLVILLE AND CELESTINE...
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 3834 8694 3846 8669 3826 8668 3824 8675
3825 8679 3823 8680 3820 8689 3820 8702
3821 8708 3822 8708
TIME...MOT...LOC 0810Z 249DEG 18KT 3827 8685 3815 8706
RSSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
423 AM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012
INZ076-290900-
ORANGE-
423 AM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...HEAVY RAIN...HALF
INCH HAIL...AND 40 MPH WINDS...
AT 417 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 6 MILES EAST OF
SHOALS TO 12 MILES EAST OF JASPER...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...HEAVY RAIN WITH RAINFALL RATES
OF AROUND ONE INCH PER HOUR REDUCING VISIBILITIES TO LESS THAN ONE
MILE...HALF INCH HAIL...AND GUSTY WINDS OF AROUND 35 TO 45 MPH...ARE
EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS.
* THESE STORMS WILL ALSO IMPACT...
PAOLI...
FRENCH LICK MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AND WEST BADEN SPRINGS...
ORANGEVILLE AND GREENBRIER...
BRAXTONS SIDING...
WOODLAWN GROVE AND ORLEANS...
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 3869 8638 3852 8641 3840 8668 3854 8669
3868 8668 3870 8666
TIME...MOT...LOC 0823Z 238DEG 22KT 3869 8664 3843 8668
RSThe Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 88 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 08:31 UTC.
2 flash flood, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The Dubois County emergency manager reported several downed trees near Crystal.
Law enforcement in Jeffersonville reported cars were stalled within several flooded intersections.
Just north of New Albany, Grant Line Road was flooded near the VFW administrative building.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2012Every state in 2012This day in weather historyWarnings in Indiana, May 2012
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: 373707, 373708, 373712.