Scattered thunderstorms developed during the afternoon and continued into the evening along a stalled out boundary situated across the Ohio Valley.
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 ILN wrote it up.
Scattered thunderstorms developed during the afternoon and continued into the evening along a stalled out boundary situated across the Ohio Valley.
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 Wilmington, OH wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 20, 12:59 PM EST, 58 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wilmington OH 159 PM EDT Sat May 20 2017 .SYNOPSIS... A frontal boundary across the region will act as a focus for scattered showers and thunderstorms again today. A cold front will move into the region Sunday, providing yet another chance for storms, before drier and cooler conditions move into the area on Monday. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/... Main forecast challenge today revolves around chances for convection and potential for severe weather. Mid/upper level low to lift northeast thru the central plains today and into the western Great Lakes tonight. Upstream ridge axis to shift east with the flow backing in response to this system. East-west oriented frontal boundary has settled south and is currently stalled across northern KY. This front will begin to lift north this afternoon and push across ILN/s fa into southern Lower Mi overnight. Expect moderate instability to develop over ILN/s southwest counties invof the warm front this afternoon. 30-40 kt 0-6km bulk shear will support some organization to storms with damaging wind being the main threat. Added low level shear near warm front will result in the potential for a few supercells and therefore an isolated tornado threat will exist. For the update have adjusted temperatures cooler based on observations and trends. Also, with showers and thunderstorms already developing this morning have adjusted pops sooner and then used a blend of short term CAMs and prev fcst to develop likely pops into sw counties this afternoon and pivot these pops north-northeast across CWA. && .SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 PM SUNDAY/... Tonight a deep H5 low will lift ne through the northern Great Plains. As this occurs a sfc low is pushed e ahead of it. While the models are still showing convection affecting the region tonight, they are now showing large differences in the coverage and therefore possibly the severity. There is enough of a signal to keep the categorical PoPs late tonight into tomorrow. The following model runs will have to be watched to see if anything changes. The cold front will be slow to push through the region Sunday, as the H5 low spins to the west. Highs on Sunday will be in the mid 70s with the pcpn keeping temperatures down. The backedge of the pcpn will reach the wrn counties late Sunday afternoon, but it will linger in the east for the first part of Sunday night before ending. Lows Sunday night will range in the 50s. A weak ridge of high pressure will bring dry weather for Monday, but also cooler temperatures as highs will be in the upper 60s to lower 70s. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... The upper level pattern will become highly amplified during the upcoming week which will eventually lead to a mean mid level trough setting up residence across the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. There continues to be some timing issues with the next cold front to push through the region Tuesday into Wednesday. A chance of showers will continue during this period, with thunder possible during the peak heating of Tuesday into Tuesday evening. By Thursday, mid level trough will be slow to progress to the east which may keep a few lingering showers. Another quick moving system in the northwest flow aloft may bring another threat for showers Thursday night into Friday. Below normal temperatures can be expected by mid to late week with highs only in the 60s Wednesday and Thursday, then perhaps getting back into the 70s on Friday. && .AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Surface front has pushed south of the TAF sites across northern KY and become quasi-stationary. Low clouds and fog north of this boundary which developed this morning are slowly improving and expect VFR cigs and vsbys in next hour. Moderate instability develops with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing invof of this front as it pivots north thru the afternoon into this evening. These storms will have potential for heavy rain/strong to severe winds and have MVFR CIGs with IFR vsbys. Brief IFR CIGs during storms will also be possible. Model solns converging showing additional storms developing on pre-frontal sfc trof overnight. Have brought in prevailing showers and VCTS with CIGS dropping to MVFR category. Front to push east of the TAF sites Sunday afternoon with conditions improving. OUTLOOK...MVFR ceilings lingering Sunday afternoon. && .ILN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OH...None. KY...None. IN...None. && SYNOPSIS...Haines NEAR TERM...AR SHORT TERM...Sites LONG TERM...Hickman AVIATION...AR
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wilmington OH 1133 AM EDT Sat May 20 2017 OHZ026-034-035-044>046-055-056-065-074-211545- Hardin-Mercer-Auglaize-Logan-Union OH-Delaware-Franklin OH-Licking- Fairfield-Hocking- 1133 AM EDT Sat May 20 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Central Ohio and West Central Ohio. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are expected today with the best coverage this afternoon. An isolated storm could reach strong to severe limits. Damaging winds would be the primary severe weather threat, although isolated large hail can not be ruled out. Another round of strong thunderstorms is possible late tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible early Sunday morning ahead of an advancing cold front. Locally heavy rainfall will be possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required. INZ050-058-059-066-073>075-080-KYZ089>100-OHZ042-043-051>054-060>064- 070>073-077>082-088-211545- Wayne-Fayette IN-Union IN-Franklin IN-Ripley-Dearborn-Ohio- Switzerland-Carroll-Gallatin-Boone-Kenton-Campbell-Owen-Grant- Pendleton-Bracken-Robertson-Mason-Lewis-Darke-Shelby-Miami-Champaign- Clark-Madison-Preble-Montgomery-Greene-Fayette OH-Pickaway-Butler- Warren-Clinton-Ross-Hamilton-Clermont-Brown-Highland-Adams-Pike- Scioto- 1133 AM EDT Sat May 20 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for East Central Indiana, Southeast Indiana, Northeast Kentucky, Northern Kentucky, Central Ohio, Southwest Ohio and West Central Ohio. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Thunderstorms are likely today with the best coverage this afternoon. Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible mainly this afternoon. Damaging winds will be the primary severe weather threat, although isolated large hail can not be ruled out. Thunderstorms will also be capable of producing locally heavy rainfall which may lead to some flooding issues. Another round of strong to severe thunderstorms is possible late tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible early Sunday morning ahead of an advancing cold front. Locally heavy rainfall will be possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
1120 AM EDT SAT MAY 20 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0452 PM TSTM WND DMG HILLIARD 40.04N 83.14W
05/19/2017 FRANKLIN OH LAW ENFORCEMENT
SMALL TREE DOWNED IN HILLARD AREA. TIME ESTIMATED BY
RADAR.
&&
KCPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
122 PM EDT SAT MAY 20 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0615 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 SW KEEFER 38.51N 84.68W
05/19/2017 OWEN KY PUBLIC
SEVERAL TREES DOWN NEAR DOGWALK RD. TREE FELL ON CARPORT.
BARN DAMAGED. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
&&
KCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
215 PM EDT SAT MAY 20 2017
INZ075-080-KYZ090>092-095-201845-
Switzerland IN-Ohio IN-Boone KY-Kenton KY-Gallatin KY-Grant KY-
215 PM EDT SAT MAY 20 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT OHIO...NORTHEASTERN
SWITZERLAND...KENTON...BOONE...NORTHWESTERN GRANT AND EASTERN
GALLATIN COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM EDT...
At 214 PM EDT, radar indicated a strong thunderstorm near Patriot,
moving northeast at 25 mph.
STORM HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Winds to 40 mph...
Pea size hail...
Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning...
Very heavy rain...
Locations impacted include...
Covington, Florence, Independence, Erlanger, Edgewood, Elsmere, Fort
Mitchell, Villa Hills, Taylor Mill, Fort Wright, Crescent Springs,
Walton, Crestview Hills, Lakeside Park, Rising Sun, Oakbrook,
Burlington, Union, Crittenden and Ryland Heights.
This includes the following Interstates...
I-71 in Kentucky between mile markers 64 and 77.
I-75 in Kentucky between mile markers 165 and 188.
Do not stay in the open or seek shelter under trees when lightning
threatens. Move indoors when a thunderstorm approaches.
Water will pond on roads and may quickly fill roadside ditches and
small streams.
To report hazardous weather conditions, go to our website at
weather.gov/iln and submit your report via social media, when you can
do so safely.
LAT...LON 3910 8466 3907 8462 3908 8457 3900 8447
3900 8445 3898 8447 3897 8446 3897 8445
3899 8444 3898 8443 3895 8444 3895 8446
3891 8444 3887 8445 3870 8473 3889 8496
TIME...MOT...LOC 1814Z 221DEG 23KT 3882 8474
ConiglioSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
216 PM EDT SAT MAY 20 2017
KYZ097-OHZ078-079-201845-
Bracken KY-Clermont OH-Brown OH-
216 PM EDT SAT MAY 20 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT BRACKEN...SOUTH CENTRAL CLERMONT
AND SOUTHWESTERN BROWN COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM EDT...
At 216 PM EDT, radar indicated a strong thunderstorm near
Brooksville, moving northeast at 25 mph.
STORM HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Winds to 40 mph...
One half inch diameter hail...
Locations impacted include...
Augusta, Felicity, Brooksville, Higginsport, Chilo, Neave, Woolcutt,
Bradford, Milford, Berlin, Parina, Powersville, Johnsville, Rock
Springs, Petra, Utopia, Chatham, AA Highway at State Route 19 and
Stoney Point.
To report hazardous weather conditions, go to our website at
weather.gov/iln and submit your report via social media, when you can
do so safely.
LAT...LON 3858 8416 3860 8420 3872 8421 3884 8411
3880 8391 3867 8396
TIME...MOT...LOC 1816Z 230DEG 20KT 3867 8414
HatzosSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
241 PM EDT SAT MAY 20 2017
KYZ097-099-OHZ078-079-201915-
Mason KY-Bracken KY-Clermont OH-Brown OH-
241 PM EDT SAT MAY 20 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN MASON...
NORTHEASTERN BRACKEN...SOUTHEASTERN CLERMONT AND SOUTHWESTERN BROWN
COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM EDT...
At 241 PM EDT, radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over Augusta,
moving northeast at 35 mph.
STORM HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Winds to 40 mph...
One half inch diameter hail...
Locations impacted include...
Georgetown, Augusta, Russellville, Dover, Higginsport, Woolcutt,
Feesburg, Johnsville, Rock Springs, Utopia, Chatham, Stoney Point,
AA Highway at State Route 19 and Lake Waynoka.
To report hazardous weather conditions, go to our website at
weather.gov/iln and submit your report via social media, when you can
do so safely.
LAT...LON 3865 8399 3875 8416 3891 8398 3895 8379
3884 8377
TIME...MOT...LOC 1841Z 224DEG 29KT 3875 8402
HatzosSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
242 PM EDT SAT MAY 20 2017
KYZ091>093-OHZ077-201915-
Boone KY-Kenton KY-Campbell KY-Hamilton OH-
242 PM EDT SAT MAY 20 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT KENTON...CAMPBELL...SOUTHERN
BOONE AND SOUTH CENTRAL HAMILTON COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM EDT...
At 242 PM EDT, radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over Walton,
moving northeast at 20 mph.
STORM HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Winds to 40 mph...
Pea size hail...
Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning...
Very heavy rain...
Locations impacted include...
Cincinnati, Covington, Florence, Independence, Erlanger, Fort Thomas,
Newport, Edgewood, Alexandria, Elsmere, Fort Mitchell, Villa Hills,
Highland Heights, Taylor Mill, Bellevue, Fort Wright, Dayton, Ludlow,
Southgate and Crescent Springs.
This includes the following Interstates...
I-71 in Kentucky between mile markers 72 and 77.
I-71 in Ohio between mile markers 0 and 3.
I-75 in Kentucky between mile markers 167 and 180, and between mile
markers 183 and 191.
I-75 in Ohio between mile markers 0 and 3.
Do not stay in the open or seek shelter under trees when lightning
threatens. Move indoors when a thunderstorm approaches.
Water will pond on roads and may quickly fill roadside ditches and
small streams.
To report hazardous weather conditions, go to our website at
weather.gov/iln and submit your report via social media, when you can
do so safely.
LAT...LON 3879 8460 3880 8462 3880 8464 3886 8474
3915 8453 3902 8431 3900 8430 3897 8430
3895 8429 3879 8450
TIME...MOT...LOC 1842Z 217DEG 19KT 3887 8460
ConiglioThe Cincinnati radar (KILN), 71 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:55 UTC.
3 hail, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was downed near the intersection of Old U.S. Highway 52 and Free Soil Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Ohio in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Ohio, 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: 690993, 690994, 690995, 690996.