Hail and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, May 27, 2017

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, May 27, 2017
Start: 2017-05-27T14:20
End: 2017-05-27T18:20
Location: Kentucky

May 27, 2017 · NWS PAH · 30 events in 16 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: $142,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 30

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.

An organized severe weather outbreak affected western Kentucky with numerous damaging wind gusts and isolated large hail. By the afternoon hours, large amounts of moisture and instability were present, along with plenty of deep-layer wind shear. As a mid-level disturbance lifted out of the Southern Plains, multiple storm clusters and bowing segments formed across Missouri and western Kentucky in a very favorable environment for severe thunderstorms. Dew points were in the lower 70's in many locations in the afternoon, coupled with surface cape values of 3000-4000 j/kg. Boundaries left over from early morning storms also played a role in the placement of afternoon thunderstorm development. Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms impacted the area on the first day of the Memorial Day holiday weekend. There were two or three bowing lines of thunderstorms that impacted the region with damaging winds. Individual storm cells and clusters also developed early on in the event, producing mainly large hail. Multiple rounds of storms over the same locations also resulted in locally heavy rain. Rainfall totals of 1.5 to 3 inches were observed from southeast Missouri into Carlisle and northern Graves Counties in Kentucky.

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 27, 12:53 PM CST, 1 hour 27 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 27, 12:53 PM CST, 1 hour 27 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Paducah KY
153 PM CDT Sat May 27 2017

.UPDATE...
Issued at 152 PM CDT Sat May 27 2017

Rapid adjustments made to reflect current activity across the WFO
PAH Forecast area. Greatest concern at the moment will be the
convective complex moving from East Central Missouri, then along
and remnant outflow/frontal boundaries south of the Interstate 64
corridor...then again along the common borders of Southeast
Missouri, Northeast Arkansas, West Kentucky and Tennessee. |

UPDATE Issued at 1133 AM CDT Sat May 27 2017

Convection is developing along outflow boundaries and existing
warm frontal boundary over Southern Missouri and parts of Southern
Illinois and the Pennyrile of West Kentucky. Some local concern
that some of these storms along the boundary may go severe
severe before the main bowing line (developing derecho?) reaches
the WFO PAH CWA later this afternoon and this evening. Waiting to
see what SPC might do with the MDT risk area in their midday
update. Also added Flash flood Watch for Carter/Ripley counties
from 1 pm today through 7 am Sunday.(see hydro section).

&&

.SHORT TERM...(Today through Monday night)
Issued at 134 AM CDT Sat May 27 2017

New SWODY1 outlooks moderate risk for much of FA this pm/evening,
with all svr wx hazards possible. AM storms to our west are
modeled to affect western ptns FA later this morning, and may lay
out a boundary and also blow off debris clouds that could stall
development after daybreak. However, differential heating should
mix the atmos up enough to allow super charge to take place, with
high cape environ and steep mid level lapse rates revealed by
model soundings. At some point during the pm hours, cap should
break and convection become numerous to widespread, with
associated moderate risk of svr extending from late pm into/thru
the evening hours. Svr chances begin to diminish overnight as
large scale instability is lost the farther east storms push away
from source boundary/energy.

Primary cold front does not make actual passage until Sunday
evening, so until then, we'll be continuing pops along/ahead of
the boundary, and this includes a continued slight risk of severe
again for mainly Sunday afternoon/early evening.

.LONG TERM...(Tuesday through Friday)
Issued at 134 AM CDT Sat May 27 2017

The extended period continues to be troublesome with models flip
flopping the best chances for rain. Still dealing with another
frontal boundary passage on Tuesday/Tuesday night. The GFS has
been the most consistent with the timing of this feature but not
as much on QPF. Still, believe that precip chances need to be
included for that time frame given the consistency of this signal
and the consistency of the GFS ensemble precip means. At this time
our confidence does not warrant anything more than slight
chances.

The ECMWF was never that excited about Tuesday's rain prospects and
still isn't. Instead, the 12Z ECMWF brings a front down into the
area on Wednesday through Thursday. That is the exact same time that
the GFS brings in a reinforcing sfc high pressure system that dries
us out. However, the 00Z ECMWF is back to looking like the GFS with
the drier weather on Wednesday with the incoming sfc high. The early
part of the extended forecast is going to be hinged on exactly what
this large upper level low over the upper Great Lakes region/eastern
Canada does and the timing and strength of impulses rotating around
it. For now, leaning toward the more consistent GFS for guidance.

Given the above discussion, POPs will be low Tuesday through
Thursday given uncertainty's in the model signals. There has been
a stronger signal for more wet weather as we head into the latter
half of the week. However, the upper level pattern is not being
consistently resoled by the models very well at all. Yesterdays
runs indicated more of a southwesterly flow pattern setting up and
now the upper flow stays more west northwesterly through Friday.
We will continue to have POPs for late week, but work will need to
be done on fine tuning these chances as models grasp a better
handle on things.

&&

.AVIATION...
Issued at 152 PM CDT Sat May 27 2017

Current 18z Saturday TAF issuance will be a challenge with mutiple
boundaries focusing VFR to IFR changing conditions. Base forecast
includes thunderstorms in each TAF location. Main concern within
the next six ho9urs will be the KEVV, KCGI, and KPAH TAF locations
for lowered visibility.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 1133 AM CDT Sat May 27 2017

WPC recently upgraded parts of Southern Missouri in a Moderate
Risk of excessive rainfall through today and tonight. Given the
antecedent rainfall this morning, combined with the expected
position of the frontal boundary and outflows today, felt it was
prudent to add Carter and Ripley counties to the Flash Flood Watch
later this afternoon and tonight.

Depending on the propagation of the convection along the boundary
and the southern end of the expected wind-damaging MCS, may need
to extend the Flash Flood Watch to Wayne and Butler counties as
well. Will monitor the progression of the storms this afternoon.

Minimum rainfall of 1-1.25 inches is likely...with higher amounts
possible. Given the flashy nature of runoff and the terrain, as
well as the potential for higher public presence outdoors this
weekend, decided to go ahead with a Flash Flood Watch for Carter
and Ripley counties from 1 pm today through 7 am Sunday.

&&

.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...None.
MO...Flash Flood Watch through Sunday morning for MOZ107-108.

IN...None.
KY...None.
&&

UPDATE...Smith
AVIATION...Smith
HYDROLOGY...Smith

Hazardous weather outlook, May 27, 1:55 PM CST, 25 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
255 pm CDT Sat May 27 2017

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-281000-
Jefferson-Wayne IL-Edwards-Wabash-Perry IL-Franklin-Hamilton-
White-Jackson-Williamson-Saline-Gallatin-Union-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-
255 pm CDT Sat May 27 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Latest forecast trends indicate that an intense line of severe
thunderstorms will move into the northwest part of the outlook area,
namely southwest Illinois and Southeast Missouri, this afternoon and
again this evening. If a line of storms move through the area, they
will likely produce widespread wind gusts in excess of 80 mph. The
damaging winds could last up to an hour.

Depending on the intensity and duration of these lines of severe
storms, most of the thunderstorms could completely move through the
outlook area by midnight.

In addition to the damaging wind potential, isolated severe storms
may develop ahead of these lines of thunderstorms today and tonight.
These isolated storms would have the potential for large hail,
damaging winds, as well as a tornado.

At this time, the greatest risk for widespread severe thunderstorms
is later this afternoon and this evening. Heavy rainfall and deadly
lightning will also be storm hazards. Flash Flooding may also be a
possibility in parts of Southeast Missouri late this afternoon and
tonight.

A moderate risk remains is in place for most of the outlook area,
except parts of Southwest Indiana and a very small part of northwest
Kentucky. The remainder of the outlook area remains in an enhanced
risk of severe thunderstorms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

A slight risk of severe thunderstorms is forecast Sunday,
especially during the afternoon and early evening. Damaging winds
and hail are the primary severe weather hazards, with locally
heavy rain and deadly lightning also storm hazards.

Thunderstorms are also forecast Tuesday afternoon, and Wednesday
through Friday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is expected today and tonight.

Smith

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 27, 1:48 PM CST, 32 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
248 PM CDT SAT MAY 27 2017

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

0242 PM     HAIL             MCLEANSBORO             38.09N 88.53W
05/27/2017  E1.00 INCH       HAMILTON           IL   PUBLIC

&&

SP

Local storm report, May 27, 2:09 PM CST, 11 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
309 PM CDT SAT MAY 27 2017

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

0253 PM     HAIL             1 N MCLEANSBORO         38.11N 88.53W
05/27/2017  M1.75 INCH       HAMILTON           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

SP

The radar

The Paducah radar (KPAH), 29 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:18 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

21 thunderstorm wind, 9 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Ballard

When: May 27, 2:20 PM CST
Where: Ballard County, Wickliffe
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.970, -89.080

Hail, Ballard

When: May 27, 2:43 PM CST
Where: Ballard County, 3 mi SSW of Kevil
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.040, -88.921

Hail, Ballard

When: May 27, 2:55 PM CST
Where: Ballard County, Kevil
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.080, -88.900

The hailstones ranged from nickel size to a few golf ball size stones.

Hail, McCracken

When: May 27, 3:00 PM CST
Where: McCracken County, (Pah)barkley Arpt Pa
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 37.070, -88.770

A few hailstones up to 1.25 inches were observed at the National Weather Service office. The hail was mostly dime to nickel size.

Hail, Trigg

When: May 27, 3:20 PM CST to 3:35 PM CST
Where: Trigg County, Cerulean to 7 mi E of Cadiz
Measured: 1.85 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.970, -87.720

In Cerulean, hail just under two inches in diameter was photographed alongside a tape measure. One-inch hail was observed by a trained spotter near the Cadiz exit (exit 65) on Interstate 24.

Thunderstorm Wind, Christian

When: May 27, 3:40 PM CST to 3:50 PM CST
Where: Christian County, 3.91 mi WNW of Sinking Fork to 2 mi S of Crofton
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.960, -87.640

An unoccupied house trailer was blown off its foundation on Highway 91 near the Trigg County line. South of Crofton, one lane of U.S. Highway 41 was blocked by a downed tree, and a trained spotter estimated a wind gust to 60 mph on the nearby Pennyrile Parkway. A tree was blown down on a trailer on U.S. Highway 41 about seven miles north of Hopkinsville.

Hail, Livingston

When: May 27, 3:42 PM CST
Where: Livingston County, Ledbetter
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.050, -88.480

Thunderstorm Wind, Livingston

When: May 27, 3:50 PM CST
Where: Livingston County, Smithland
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.130, -88.400

A tree was blown down along the Ohio River riverfront.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lyon

When: May 27, 4:07 PM CST
Where: Lyon County, Kuttawa
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 37.070, -88.120

Several trees and power poles were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Crittenden

When: May 27, 4:10 PM CST
Where: Crittenden County, 4 mi NE of Marion
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 37.371, -88.028

A wind gust to 64 mph was measured at a Kentucky mesonet site. A few tree limbs were down on roads.

Hail, Carlisle

When: May 27, 4:15 PM CST
Where: Carlisle County, Bardwell
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.870, -89.020

Thunderstorm Wind, Muhlenberg

When: May 27, 4:17 PM CST
Where: Muhlenberg County, Central City
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.300, -87.130

Small trees and several large limbs were blown down. A tree was down across the Western Kentucky Parkway just west of the Central City exit.

Hail, Calloway

When: May 27, 4:20 PM CST
Where: Calloway County, Murray
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.620, -88.320

Thunderstorm Wind, Webster

When: May 27, 4:20 PM CST
Where: Webster County, Wheatcroft
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.480, -87.870

A tree was blocking Highway 109.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calloway

When: May 27, 4:25 PM CST
Where: Calloway County, 3 mi NE of Murray to 3 mi E of Murray
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.651, -88.282

Trees were blown down, blocking Highway 94 a few miles east of Murray. Three miles northeast of Murray, a downed tree blocked a secondary road.

Hail, Muhlenberg

When: May 27, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Muhlenberg County, Powderly
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.230, -87.170

Thunderstorm Wind, Webster

When: May 27, 4:30 PM CST to 4:40 PM CST
Where: Webster County, Providence to Dixon
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.400, -87.770

Tree limbs were blown down on Highway 41-A in Providence and Dixon, as well as Highway 109 in Diamond. Power outages affected a large portion of Providence.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hopkins

When: May 27, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Hopkins County, 1 mi W of Nebo
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.380, -87.668

A trained spotter estimated wind gusts around 60 mph at mile marker 10 on U.S. Highway 41A.

Thunderstorm Wind, Trigg

When: May 27, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Trigg County, Cerulean
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.970, -87.720

Large tree limbs over two inches in diameter were down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hopkins

When: May 27, 4:35 PM CST to 4:45 PM CST
Where: Hopkins County, Earlington to Mortons Gap
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.270, -87.520

In southern Hopkins County, damaging thunderstorm winds gusted up to 62 mph. A trained spotter in Mortons Gap estimated winds gusted to 60 mph, causing a power outage and snapping a large tree. Another nearby large tree was uprooted onto a home. A Kentucky mesonet site just east of Earlington measured a wind gust to 62 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Christian

When: May 27, 4:40 PM CST
Where: Christian County, 0.47 mi NE of Merrittstown
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.855, -87.564

A few miles west of Hopkinsville, a downed tree blocked Highway 272 near Highway 164.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hopkins

When: May 27, 4:40 PM CST to 4:50 PM CST
Where: Hopkins County, 1 mi SW of Madisonville to Madisonville Arpt
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.320, -87.513

Damaging thunderstorm winds occurred throughout the Madisonville area. A trained spotter on the southwest side of Madisonville estimated winds gusted to 65 mph, downing small tree limbs. In Madisonville, downed power lines blocked travel on a portion of U.S. Highway 41. At the Madisonville airport east of the city, the automated observing system clocked a gust to 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Muhlenberg

When: May 27, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Muhlenberg County, 1.3 mi WSW of Central City
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 37.290, -87.150

A wind gust to 64 mph was measured at the Kentucky mesonet site six miles north of Greenville, near Central City.

Thunderstorm Wind, Todd

When: May 27, 5:10 PM CST
Where: Todd County, North Zion to 3.07 mi SW of South Zion
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.750, -87.170

A couple of trees were down on Highway 181 south of Elkton. Another tree was down on Highway 104 near the Tennessee state line.

Thunderstorm Wind, Livingston

When: May 27, 5:32 PM CST to 5:40 PM CST
Where: Livingston County, 2.5 mi WSW of Joy to 1.24 mi ENE of Lola
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.336, -88.422

A number of trees and power lines were blown down in northern Livingston County. About a mile northeast of Lola, roofing material was blown off a garage, and a utility pole was snapped. Kentucky Highways 133 and 838 were blocked by downed tree limbs and power lines in the Lola area. Kentucky Highway 1436 was partially blocked near Joy.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hickman

When: May 27, 5:37 PM CST
Where: Hickman County, 1 mi SW of Beelerton
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.590, -88.883

On Highway 1529 just west of Highway 307, thunderstorm winds damaged a barn and took down a number of trees and tree limbs. A couple of small to medium-size trees were uprooted. A very large oak tree was snapped. One of the trees landed on a corner of a house roof, causing moderate damage. Part of the wall of a large barn or shed was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marshall

When: May 27, 5:50 PM CST
Where: Marshall County, 1.32 mi WNW of Brewers
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.777, -88.452

Trees were blown down on Highway 58 southwest of Highway 402.

Thunderstorm Wind, Graves

When: May 27, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Graves County, Lynnville
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.570, -88.570

A trained spotter estimated winds gusted to at least 65 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calloway

When: May 27, 6:00 PM CST to 6:10 PM CST
Where: Calloway County, 2 mi WSW of Murray to New Concord
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.609, -88.353

Pockets of damaging winds occurred in the county. Just west of Murray, trees were down at the intersection of Highway 94 and Kentucky Highway 1660. Several trees were blown down along Kentucky Highway 121 near New Concord.

Thunderstorm Wind, Christian

When: May 27, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Christian County, 0.83 mi WSW of Hopkinsville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.844, -87.493

Power lines were down on a residential street on the south side of the city.

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 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history Warnings in Kentucky, May 2017

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: 692027, 692028, 692029, 692030, 692033, 692038, 692034, 692040, 692041, 692509, 692035, 692542, 692036, 692044, 692043, 692037, 692423, 692431, 692551, 692432, 692424, 692430, 692435, 692426, 699143, 699144, 692538, 692436, 692437, 692439.