Hail in Kentucky, February 24, 2017

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Jackson KY
949 PM EST Fri Feb 24 2017

.UPDATE...
Issued at 949 PM EST FRI FEB 24 2017

Current conditions feature the area of showers and storms at the
CWA doorstep along the I-75 corridor. It seems that no dominant
cold pool or organization of the cells in central Kentucky, or
Tennessee for that matter has occurred. Thus, with the cap still
in place over eastern Kentucky, will be hard pressed to see any
severe convection tonight. So have updated to pull the severe
wording from the forecast but have left in the mention of strong
storms with the potential to produce gusty winds and small hail.
Have updated the HWO as well to take out the severe wording and
input the mention of strong storms.

UPDATE Issued at 713 PM EST FRI FEB 24 2017

Current conditions feature a line of showers and segments of
strong to severe thunderstorms in central Kentucky to the west
tracking northeast. Fine tuned the pops to account for a more
timely arrival into eastern Kentucky. Decided to keep the severe
mention in the forecast though, with heating lost and instability
becoming more elevated, the cap in place more and more hints at
any severe weather in eastern Kentucky will be dependent on what
develops in central Kentucky and advects in. Mainly in the form of
a squall line or bowing segments. As well, the main threat
continues to be damaging winds. Onset into Kentucky may be as soon
as 9pm. A new ZFP was sent out to account for these changes.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday night)
Issued at 517 PM EST FRI FEB 24 2017

South-southwest flow aloft will become more westerly through the
short term as a potent storm system plows through the Great
Lakes, pulling a trough through the Commonwealth over the next 24
hours. Surface low pressure over Lake Michigan will continue to
move off to the northeast, pulling a cold front eastward through
the region, and into eastern Kentucky during the overnight.

A line of thunderstorms currently developing across the Midwest
will move into our forecast area through the overnight period.
HRRR timing of the main line of convection has been fairly
consistent and generally agrees with what has been advertised.
Some thunderstorms could produce severe weather with the main
threat being damaging winds. Hail will be a secondary threat and a
brief, isolated tornado can not be ruled out.

Moisture, or the lack thereof will be the primary limiting factor
to severe weather as dew points will top out in the mid 50s ahead
of the front. Timing of the cold front through eastern Kentucky
will also be a limiting factor. Regardless bulk shear is very
impressive with this system, 40-70 kts, with the majority of the
shear realized in the lowest 3 km. Thus the potential for bowing
cells and line segments will be favored. Surface based
instability to support this storm mode is not ideal but does
appear to be sufficient. Consequently damaging winds are the
primary severe weather threat. This has a distinctive QLCS flavor
to it and considering the environment as a whole feel an isolated
tornado can not be ruled out, though features of this type tend to
be weaker than most and short lived. Low wet bulb temperatures
and freezing levels suggest hail will be a possibility as well.

Colder air invades the coal fields on Saturday and will set
things up for a rather chilly weekend in general. Gusty winds will
combine with strong cold air advection to make for a less than
optimal day for outdoor activities.

.LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday)
Issued at 315 PM EST FRI FEB 24 2017

The extended portion of the forecast will be fairly active, with
alternating periods of wet and dry weather and warm and cooler
conditions. The period will likely start off dry, with slightly
above normal temperatures Sunday and Sunday night. The pattern is
then expected to shift on Monday, as a weak warm front moves through
the area, bringing persistent southerly flow and warmer air into the
region. Rain showers should begin to move into the area from the
southwest and west late Sunday night into early Monday morning. The
rain will overspread the entire area by late Monday afternoon and
early Monday evening, as an area of low pressure moves along what
will become a nearly stalled out frontal boundary. This pattern is
tentatively expected to persist through late in the day on Tuesday.
A wave of low pressure is then forecast to form along the western
end of the stalled front Tuesday night. This second area of low
pressure is then expected to push eastward on Wednesday, and will
drag another cold front across the lower Ohio valley and Tennessee
valley regions. This boundary may be just strong enough, and just
enough moisture an instability available, for a few thunderstorms to
form along and just ahead of the front, as it moves across the
region. Once the front moves past us Wednesday night, any
thunderstorms should give way to all rain showers. We may even see
enough cold air filter in behind the system to allow some snow to
mix in with whatever rain is left. The last of this precipitation
should be out of the area by late Thursday morning. Thursday and
Thursday night should be mostly dry. There is an outside chance that
a few rain and snow showers will move across the area along and
north of I64 to end the period, with due to uncertainty, this should
be taken with a grain of salt.

Temperatures in the extended on average will be above average each
day, with the warmest days being Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday,
when the highs will be in the 50s and 60s. Closer to normal values
should be experienced on  Thursday, when the mercury is forecast to
max out lower 50s. Nightly lows should be in 30s, 40s, and 50s.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Saturday evening)
ISSUED AT 713 PM EST FRI FEB 24 2017

Onset of showers and severe thunderstorms will be around 01z
across eastern Kentucky and pushing east through 05z. Have updated
the TAFs to account for this timing. MVFR to IFR visibility due to
the moderate rainfall will be the impacts. a few MVFR cigs will be
possibly but most cigs will remain above 3 KFT. Winds will
continue to be southwesterly gusting to 25 knots at times. Winds
are expected to then increase again tomorrow afternoon with
westerly winds gusting up to 25 knots as well.

&&

.JKL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NONE.
&&

UPDATE...SHALLENBERGER
SHORT TERM...RAY
LONG TERM...AR
AVIATION...SHALLENBERGER

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Jackson KY
932 PM EST Fri Feb 24 2017

KYZ044-050>052-058>060-068-069-079-080-083>088-104-106>120-260545-
Fleming-Montgomery-Bath-Rowan-Estill-Powell-Menifee-Rockcastle-
Jackson-Pulaski-Laurel-Wayne-McCreary-Whitley-Knox-Bell-Harlan-
Elliott-Morgan-Johnson-Wolfe-Magoffin-Floyd-Lee-Breathitt-Knott-
Owsley-Perry-Clay-Leslie-Letcher-Martin-Pike-
Including the cities of Flemingsburg, Camargo, Jeffersonville,
Mount Sterling, Owingsville, Morehead, Irvine, Ravenna,
Clay City, Stanton, Frenchburg, Brodhead, Mount Vernon, McKee,
Annville, Burnside, Somerset, London, Monticello, Stearns,
Whitley City, Corbin, Williamsburg, Barbourville, Middlesboro,
Pineville, Cumberland, Harlan, Sandy Hook, West Liberty,
Paintsville, Campton, Salyersville, Prestonsburg, Wheelwright,
Beattyville, Jackson, Hindman, Pippa Passes, Booneville, Hazard,
Manchester, Hyden, Jenkins, Whitesburg, Inez, Coal Run,
Elkhorn City, Pikeville, and South Williamson
932 PM EST Fri Feb 24 2017

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern Kentucky.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Strong storms are possible tonight. Some storms may produce gusty
winds and small hail. Most of the thunderstorm activity will move
through the area and into far eastern Kentucky by 3 AM.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Thunderstorms are possible late Tuesday night into Wednesday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed tonight.

RAY/SHALLENBERGER

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
1034 PM EST FRI FEB 24 2017

KYZ068-250400-
Rockcastle-
1034 PM EST FRI FEB 24 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHERN ROCKCASTLE COUNTY...

At 1034 PM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located near Gum Sulphur,
or 11 miles northwest of Mount Vernon, moving northeast at 60 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Boone, Snider, Climax, Disputanta, Hiatt, Gum Sulphur, Conway,
Wildie, Indian Lakes Park, Roundstone and Brodhead.

THIS INCLUDES Interstate 75 in east central Kentucky between mile
markers 65 and 72.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

LAT...LON 3748 8444 3747 8438 3750 8435 3752 8436
      3754 8435 3753 8430 3752 8430 3752 8427
      3751 8427 3753 8423 3752 8421 3746 8419
      3736 8449
TIME...MOT...LOC 0334Z 240DEG 50KT 3748 8450

ABE

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
1056 PM EST FRI FEB 24 2017

KYZ058-059-069-250430-
Jackson-Estill-Powell-
1056 PM EST FRI FEB 24 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT POWELL...ESTILL AND NORTHWESTERN
JACKSON COUNTIES...

At 1055 PM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located near Shirley, or 11
miles southeast of Richmond, moving northeast at 55 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Stanton, Irvine, Clay City, Ravenna, Pilot, Bowen, Kimbrell, Rice
Station, Kings Station, Calloway Crossing, Wiseman Crossing Station,
Virden, Winston, Patsey, Wisemantown, Vaughns Mill, Hardwick, Weedon,
Shirley and Natural Bridge S.p..

THIS INCLUDES Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway between mile markers 13
and 35.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

LAT...LON 3790 8387 3790 8377 3782 8364 3773 8370
      3748 8419 3749 8421 3756 8416 3757 8409
      3764 8413 3767 8409 3774 8410 3775 8408
      3778 8411 3781 8408 3782 8410 3788 8400
      3793 8397
TIME...MOT...LOC 0355Z 234DEG 49KT 3759 8421

ABE

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
1128 PM EST FRI FEB 24 2017

KYZ050>052-058>060-106-108-111-250500-
Rowan-Montgomery-Menifee-Lee-Estill-Morgan-Bath-Wolfe-Powell-
1128 PM EST FRI FEB 24 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT POWELL...SOUTHEASTERN
MONTGOMERY...NORTHWESTERN MORGAN...SOUTHEASTERN BATH...ESTILL...
MENIFEE...WESTERN LEE...SOUTHWESTERN ROWAN AND NORTHWESTERN WOLFE
COUNTIES...

At 1128 PM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located near Stanton,
moving northeast at 55 mph.

Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Morehead, Stanton, Irvine, Frenchburg, Jeffersonville, Clay City,
Ravenna, Wellington, Salt Lick, Campsites in the Indian Creek area of
the Daniel Boone National Forest, Pilot, Zag, Bowen, Cornwell, Leeco,
Kimbrell, Rothwell, Omer, Pine Ridge and Fagan.

THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS...
 Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway between mile markers 14 and 43.
 Interstate 64 in eastern Kentucky between mile markers 129 and 137.

LAT...LON 3802 8322 3753 8382 3766 8411 3767 8409
      3774 8410 3775 8408 3778 8411 3780 8408
      3782 8409 3784 8405 3783 8400 3786 8402
      3786 8401 3788 8400 3822 8353
TIME...MOT...LOC 0428Z 229DEG 49KT 3777 8387

ABE

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON KY
1129 PM EST FRI FEB 24 2017

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

1107 PM     HAIL             MOUNT VERNON            37.36N 84.34W
02/24/2017  E0.75 INCH       ROCKCASTLE         KY   PUBLIC

            DIME SIZED HAIL COVERED THE GROUND. THIS REPORT WAS
            RECEIVED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.

&&

JP

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
1139 PM EST FRI FEB 24 2017

KYZ079-080-083-084-250515-
McCreary-Wayne-Laurel-Pulaski-
1139 PM EST FRI FEB 24 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EASTERN WAYNE...SOUTHWESTERN
LAUREL...PULASKI AND CENTRAL MCCREARY COUNTIES...

At 1139 PM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located 8 miles south of
Somerset, moving northeast at 50 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Somerset, Science Hill, Burnside, Sloans Valley, Bandy, Bronston,
Woodstock, Mount Victory, Dabney, Ritner, Hightop, Hogue, General
Burnside S.p., Coopersville, Holly Bay Rec. Area, Greenwood, Alpine,
Grade, Kidds Crossing and Ruth.

THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS...
 Kentucky Highway 80 in Pulaski County between mile markers 17 and
40.

LAT...LON 3662 8473 3706 8485 3733 8450 3702 8415
      3695 8425 3696 8428 3693 8431 3691 8431
TIME...MOT...LOC 0439Z 233DEG 42KT 3697 8465

ABE