An extremely warm, moist, and unstable air mass resided over the lower Ohio Valley during the middle of May. As a series of strong weather systems passed through the region, rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms developed and tracked across central Kentucky.
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.
An extremely warm, moist, and unstable air mass resided over the lower Ohio Valley during the middle of May. As a series of strong weather systems passed through the region, rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms developed and tracked across central Kentucky.
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 19, 6:38 AM CST, 1 hour 2 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Louisville KY 838 AM EDT Fri May 19 2017 .Forecast Update... Issued at 837 AM EDT Fri May 19 2017 Have made an update to the forecast this morning to increase PoPs across southern KY, add heavy rainfall wording, and to adjust QPF forecasts to account for anticipated heavy rainfall across the southern forecast area. Current radar shows several clusters of storms moving through southern KY this morning. First batch is along our forecast border with WFO JKL and heading northeast toward areas mainly along and north of the Cumberland Parkway (Somerset, KY area). Further southwest, upstream development continues across northern TN with additional convective regeneration taking place just north/northwest of Nashville. Some westward re-development looks to be taking place, so additional heavy rainfall looks to affect Logan/Simpson/Warren counties over the next few hours. KY Mesonet shows a little over an inch of rain in some locations around Bowling Green. Flash flood guidance suggests around 2-2.5 inch/hr for flooding, so this additional rainfall may result in localized flash flooding. Otherwise, rest of the forecast remains generally on track. HRRR and other CAM models suggest more development over NW TN later this morning overspreading into central KY into the early afternoon hours. Given that convection may be occurring at peak heating, strong to severe storms look like a very good possibility with damaging winds and hail being the primary severe weather hazards. Issued at 620 AM EDT Fri May 19 2017 Updated the forecast to increase POPs to 50-60% over south central KY where a good complex of storms has developed and will continue to move ENE through southern KY for the next 2-4 hrs before diminishing. Gusty winds are possible in these storms...a 34 mph wind gust was observed out of Simpson County Mesonet this morning. Also radar indicates small hail and heavy rainfall. A few strong storms are possible this morning but still expect any severe wx to hold off until later today. && .Short Term...(Today through Saturday) Issued at 320 AM EDT Fri May 19 2017 ...A Few Severe Storms Possible Today & Saturday... Early this morning, CAM models indicate showers/t-storms developing over south central KY due to a passing upper level shortwave. IR satellite does indeed show enhanced mid level clouds forming in that region so will continue POPs over south central KY during the pre- dawn hours. We should see a relative lull or dry period by mid to late morning over the region. Redevelopment of showers and storms should occur to our north and west by the afternoon hours and move into our region by mid to late afternoon lasting into the evening hours. With plentiful CAPE building throughout the day and 30-40 kts bulk shear, we should see strong to severe scattered t-storms this afternoon/evening. The main svr weather threats will be damaging winds and hail for afternoon/evening storms with the best chance for severe wx over southern Indiana where storms will be more plentiful closer to the front. After sunset, expect convection to decline and diminish. Friday night and the first portion of Sat should be largely dry with instability once again building throughout the day on Sat ahead of an approaching cold front and upper trough. While some isld-sct convection is possible Sat during the day, the main line of storms should develop to our west Sat along the cold front and move east into our region Sat night. Again damaging winds and hail will be the main svr wx threat should storms strengthen to svr levels. The best chance for any svr wx will be along and west of I-65 Sat evening. Temperatures will remain warm and muggy with highs in the low to mid 80s and lows in the 60s into the the weekend. .Long Term...(Saturday night through Thursday) Issued at 335 AM EDT Fri May 19 2017 Saturday night a line of showers/storms associated with a cold front will push east into our region. As it arrives into areas along and west of I-65 Sat evening, some of the storms may still be severe. However, the storms are expected to decline Sat night as day time instability is lost. Any strong to severe storms Sat night may produce damaging winds and hail. As we head into Sunday morning, additional showers and perhaps a few rumbles of thunder will continue over the region along or just behind the front. Precipitation will finally come to an end Sun night from west to east as high pressure moves into the Ohio Valley. The passage of the cold front Sunday will usher in less humidity and cooler temperatures (highs in the 70s Sun). Monday we'll see a brief dry period before more disturbances in a generally troughy pattern over the Midwest bring more chances for rain Tues-Thu. Temperatures will drop to or below normal with highs falling back into the 70s for Mon/Tue and then 60s for Wed/Thu. && .Aviation...(12Z TAF Issuance) Issued at 628 AM EDT Fri May 19 2017 Complex of thunderstorms near BWG currently will lift northeast to just south of LEX through 14-15z. A relative lull in thunderstorms is expected across central Kentucky mid/late morning, however with peak heating and a passing disturbance, additional thunderstorms are likely by mid afternoon. The highest coverage looks to be across north-central Kentucky, likely impacting SDF and LEX, from mid afternoon to very early this evening. Thunderstorm coverage and intensity will diminish toward sunset with loss of heating. Most of the model consensus is for relatively dry conditions tonight. Light fog may be possible in areas that receive rainfall today given the expected light wind fields near the surface tonight. && .LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IN...None. KY...None. && Update.......MJ Short Term...AMS Long Term....AMS Aviation.....ZT
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Louisville KY 907 AM EDT Fri May 19 2017 INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067- 070>078-081-082-201315- Orange-Washington-Scott-Jefferson-Dubois-Crawford-Perry-Harrison- Floyd-Clark-Hancock-Breckinridge-Meade-Ohio-Grayson-Hardin-Bullitt- Oldham-Trimble-Henry-Shelby-Franklin-Spencer-Anderson-Woodford- Fayette-Bourbon-Nicholas-Nelson-Mercer-Jessamine-Larue-Marion-Boyle- Garrard-Madison-Butler-Edmonson-Hart-Green-Taylor-Casey-Lincoln- Logan-Warren-Simpson-Allen-Barren-Monroe-Metcalfe-Adair-Russell- Cumberland-Clinton- Including the cities of Paoli, Salem, Scottsburg, Madison, Jasper, English, Tell City, Corydon, New Albany, Jeffersonville, Lewisport, Hawesville, Hardinsburg, Brandenburg, Hartford, Leitchfield, Elizabethtown, Shepherdsville, Louisville, La Grange, Bedford, Milton, New Castle, Shelbyville, Frankfort, Georgetown, Cynthiana, Taylorsville, Lawrenceburg, Versailles, Lexington, Paris, Carlisle, Bardstown, Springfield, Harrodsburg, Nicholasville, Winchester, Hodgenville, Lebanon, Danville, Lancaster, Richmond, Morgantown, Brownsville, Horse Cave, Greensburg, Campbellsville, Liberty, Stanford, Russellville, Bowling Green, Franklin, Providence, Scottsville, Glasgow, Tompkinsville, Edmonton, Columbia, Jamestown, Burkesville, and Albany 907 AM EDT Fri May 19 2017 /807 AM CDT Fri May 19 2017/ This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central Indiana and Central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Thunderstorms with torrential rainfall will affect southern Kentucky this morning. These storms are expected to diminish by late morning. Additional thunderstorms are expected to develop across southern Indiana and central Kentucky this afternoon. The main severe weather hazards expected are damaging winds and torrential rainfall. Some small hail will be possible as well. Given the torrential rainfall expected with the storms, some localized flooding will be possible in some areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Scattered to numerous storms are again possible late Saturday into Saturday night as a cold front approaches. Any severe storm could produce heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and large hail late Saturday. Thunderstorms are again in the forecast next Tuesday and Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report any damaging winds or hail today through Saturday. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville. MJ/AMS
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
531 AM CDT FRI MAY 19 2017
KYZ062-070>075-191100-
Monroe-Warren-Logan-Simpson-Allen-Edmonson-Barren-
531 AM CDT FRI MAY 19 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN LOGAN...
MONROE...SIMPSON...ALLEN...WARREN...CENTRAL BARREN AND SOUTHEASTERN
EDMONSON COUNTIES...
At 530 AM CDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from 10 miles southwest of Memphis Junction to
6 miles southeast of Westmoreland. Movement was northeast at 40 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Bowling Green, Glasgow, Scottsville, Tompkinsville, Brownsville, Plum
Springs, Memphis Junction, Mount Victor, Crestmoor and Auburn.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3665 8641 3665 8651 3663 8656 3665 8659
3665 8686 3684 8683 3723 8621 3665 8556
3662 8564
TIME...MOT...LOC 1030Z 236DEG 36KT 3684 8664 3650 8617
AMSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
654 AM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
KYZ066-077-078-191130-
Russell-Casey-Adair-
654 AM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT RUSSELL...SOUTHERN CASEY AND
SOUTHEASTERN ADAIR COUNTIES...
At 653 AM EDT/553 AM CDT/, a strong thunderstorm was located near
Columbia, moving northeast at 55 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Liberty, Columbia, Jamestown, Russell Springs, Eli, Lawhorn Hill,
Cundiff, Teddy, Royville and Sano.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3689 8523 3692 8525 3692 8523 3693 8525
3708 8535 3740 8485 3727 8472 3724 8472
3712 8490 3704 8490 3688 8521
TIME...MOT...LOC 1053Z 236DEG 49KT 3705 8521
AMSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
604 AM CDT FRI MAY 19 2017
KYZ062-063-071>077-081-191130-
Hart-Metcalf-Monroe-Warren-Simpson-Cumberland-Allen-Edmonson-Barren-
Adair-
604 AM CDT FRI MAY 19 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT MONROE...EAST CENTRAL
SIMPSON...SOUTHWESTERN HART...ALLEN...WARREN...WESTERN CUMBERLAND...
BARREN...METCALFE...SOUTHWESTERN ADAIR AND EDMONSON COUNTIES...
At 604 AM CDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Crestmoor to 11 miles north of
Lafayette. Movement was northeast at 45 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Bowling Green, Glasgow, Scottsville, Tompkinsville, Munfordville,
Edmonton, Burkesville, Brownsville, Plum Springs and Three Springs.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3664 8622 3664 8626 3693 8664 3701 8667
3704 8666 3738 8600 3713 8565 3691 8527
3661 8557
TIME...MOT...LOC 1104Z 235DEG 39KT 3702 8652 3669 8600
AMSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
733 AM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
KYZ063>065-074-076-077-191215-
Hart-Metcalf-Taylor-Barren-Adair-Green-
733 AM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT GREEN...SOUTHEASTERN HART...
CENTRAL TAYLOR...NORTHEASTERN BARREN...METCALFE AND ADAIR COUNTIES...
At 733 AM EDT/633 AM CDT/, a strong thunderstorm was located near
Edmonton, moving northeast at 40 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Campbellsville, Columbia, Greensburg, Edmonton, Monroe, Pickett,
Curtis, Absher, Node and Sano.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They can relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Louisville.
LAT...LON 3690 8561 3713 8583 3748 8544 3747 8541
3714 8507 3708 8513
TIME...MOT...LOC 1133Z 241DEG 33KT 3705 8557
EBWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
815 AM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
KYZ054-055-065>067-077-078-081-082-191300-
Russell-Boyle-Marion-Cumberland-Taylor-Lincoln-Casey-Adair-Clinton-
815 AM EDT FRI MAY 19 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN LINCOLN...
NORTHWESTERN CLINTON...SOUTHEASTERN MARION...RUSSELL...CENTRAL
TAYLOR...SOUTHWESTERN BOYLE...NORTHEASTERN CUMBERLAND...CASEY AND
EASTERN ADAIR COUNTIES...
At 814 AM EDT/714 AM CDT/, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were
located along a line extending from near Campbellsville to 12 miles
north of Jamestown to 7 miles northeast of Burkesville. Movement was
east at 35 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Liberty, Campbellsville, Jamestown, Burkesville, Russell Springs,
Hustonville, Eubank, Bradfordsville, Desda and Cundiff.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They can relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Louisville.
LAT...LON 3712 8519 3743 8544 3762 8493 3731 8461
3712 8490 3705 8491 3700 8484 3695 8491
3696 8493 3696 8495 3692 8496 3686 8506
3682 8505 3679 8538
TIME...MOT...LOC 1214Z 251DEG 31KT 3740 8533 3716 8508 3687 8528
EBWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
749 AM CDT FRI MAY 19 2017
KYZ071>073-191315-
Warren-Simpson-Allen-
749 AM CDT FRI MAY 19 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SIMPSON...SOUTHWESTERN ALLEN AND
SOUTHWESTERN WARREN COUNTIES...
At 749 AM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Portland,
moving northeast at 35 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Bowling Green, Woodburn, Hillsdale, Black Jack, Neosheo, Clare,
Geddes, Mcelroy Ford, Alonzo and Chapel Hill.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They can relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Louisville.
LAT...LON 3665 8659 3665 8671 3672 8675 3676 8674
3693 8641 3671 8625 3665 8643 3665 8651
3664 8654 3664 8655 3663 8656
TIME...MOT...LOC 1249Z 240DEG 31KT 3670 8661
EBWThe Nashville radar (KOHX), 63 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:39 UTC.
5 flash flood, 4 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Over 4 inches of rain fell in a short period which resulted in numerous reports of flooding.
Nearly 5 inches of rain was observed by the Kentucky Mesonet station near Scottsville. There were numerous reports of flooding.
The Allen County COOP Observer reported flash flooding in Scottsville. There were many roads closed due to high water.
The Allen County Emergency Manager reported numerous roads closed throughout the county due to flash flooding.
Trained spotters reported dime sized hail.
The public relayed a photo of a large tree down onto a car due to severe thunderstorm winds.
A trained spotter reported a 10 inch diameter tree limb snapped off due to severe thunderstorm winds.
The National Weather Service in conjunction with Spencer County Emergency Management conducted a damage survey near Highway 44 and Carl Monroe Road 2 to 3 miles west of Taylorsville. The survey found a narrow path of straight line wind damage with estimated winds between 75 and 85 MPH. The most significant damage occurred at the path start on Carl Monroe Road where the second level of a cinder block farm building was removed. Roofing material and cinder block debris was scattered to the ENE 100-200 yards downwind. A two-story home also suffered damage in this area with the removal of siding, soffit, and shingles. Debris shattered a window, and a dead-bolted door was blown open after the storm door was ripped off. Several large limbs were ripped out of a tree and tossed across Carl Monroe Road.
Wind damage continued east while paralleling just south of Highway 44 where 3 more hardwood trees were broken or uprooted. Several large hardwood trees were uprooted in the Elk Creek Bottom. Continuing east, wind took shingles off of a home and damaged several trees. Damage ceased 2 miles west of Taylorsville with a final downed tree along Highway 44.
The event lasted 1 to 2 minutes and occurred on the leading edge of a gust front. Many residents noted that no rain was occurring at the time of the event, bur rain started a few minutes later. This matches the radar presentation. All debris was scattered in a divergent ENE to NE direction.
The Harrison County emergency manager reported trees down across KY 1940 near Eals Lane.
Local law enforcement reported that Kentucky Highway 218 was blocked by high water west of US 31W.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, May 2017
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: 687766, 687768, 687770, 687772, 687775, 687776, 687778, 687779, 687794, 687795, 687774.