A rather pronounced upper-level shortwave trough moved eastward from the St. Louis area across the Ohio Valley in the afternoon.
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 PAH wrote it up.
A rather pronounced upper-level shortwave trough moved eastward from the St. Louis area across the Ohio Valley in the afternoon. Daytime heating contributed to moderate instability, resulting in clusters of thunderstorms along a weak stationary front from southern Illinois across southern Indiana. An isolated damaging wind gust accompanied one of the most intense storms.
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 26, 11:14 AM CST, 56 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Paducah KY 1214 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019 .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Memorial Day) Issued at 1214 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019 MCV moving toward southwest IN continues to generate convection across the area this afternoon. So far just a few strong storms. There may be an uptick in activity with some continued destabilization. Feature over southwest MO will have to be monitored as well. Will carry PoPs for convection into the early evening hours. Mainly quiet conditions tonight through Monday as s/wv ridging aloft moves toward and then across the area. .LONG TERM...(Monday night through Sunday) Issued at 1214 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019 Models continue in good agreement especially at the start of the extended forecast. There are some perturbations in the flow this weekend that could result in rain chances late in the weekend. Models continue to show high pressure aloft and centered over the gulf coast. This should inhibit convection as we start the extended portion of the forecast. However by mid week or early Wednesday morning a cold front will approach the area bringing a chance of storms northwest of the Ohio River. The upper low currently over the western US will slowly make its way across the plains and into the region. This will be the catalyst to push a surface cold front through the region Wednesday into Thursday as the upper high flattens and retreats southward. This will result in a chance of storms for the entire area as this comes to fruition. The main threat will be for heavy rain especially over SEMO. The main threat should be heavy rainfall...with PWATs near 1.5"...and lightning. However CAPE values could approach 2k j/kg2 with LI's around a negative 5 strong or severe can not be ruled out. There is some speed shear but it is unidirectional and shear is relatively low at this time. The upper high will build back north and dry us out for the end of the week into the weekend. Even so an isolated diurnal storm can not be ruled out. The front should bring high temperatures down considerably Thursday with highs about 10 degrees cooler or around 80. This will rapidly warm back up this weekend as the upper ridge build back into the region. There is a hint of weak perturbation in the flow aloft Moving through Saturday night that could result in higher chances of storms. && .AVIATION... Issued at 1214 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019 Scattered convection will continue this afternoon over southern IL, southwest IN and west KY. New activity may form into southeast MO. Generally VFR outside of convection with SW winds 10 to 20 kts. Brief MVFR/IFR conditions with showers and storms, accounted for in the 18z Terminals. Tonight, VFR with light winds. Winds will go southwest 5 to 15 kts Monday morning. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. MO...None. IN...None. KY...None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Paducah KY 421 AM CDT Sun May 26 2019 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-271000- 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- 421 AM CDT Sun May 26 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Thunderstorms are possible across the area today. A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible, mainly across southwest Indiana and northwest Kentucky. The primary concerns with storms will be large hail and damaging winds, along with brief heavy rainfall. Detailed information on area river flooding can be found on the latest river flood warnings and statements. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday Thunderstorms are possible across the region late Tuesday night through Thursday. Severe storms are not expected at this time. Detailed information on area river flooding can be found on the latest updated river flood warnings and statements. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed today, mainly in southwest Indiana and northwest Kentucky. RST
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1143 AM CDT Sun May 26 2019
ILZ076>078-083-INZ085-261730-
White IL-Edwards IL-Wabash IL-Wayne IL-Posey IN-
1143 AM CDT Sun May 26 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WHITE...SOUTHEASTERN WAYNE...
SOUTHWESTERN WABASH...SOUTHERN EDWARDS AND POSEY COUNTIES UNTIL 1230
PM CDT...
At 1142 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles northwest of Crossville, or 8 miles north of Carmi, moving
east at 35 mph. Additional storms were developing over western Posey
County.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 45 mph will be possible with
these storms.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3845 8773 3838 8777 3834 8783 3828 8784
3828 8786 3831 8786 3831 8787 3827 8791
3829 8791 3830 8793 3824 8797 3826 8799
3823 8799 3823 8780 3820 8780 3820 8769
3794 8770 3796 8837 3826 8837
TIME...MOT...LOC 1642Z 248DEG 30KT 3821 8819
SPSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1206 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019
INZ081-261745-
Gibson IN-
1206 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR GIBSON COUNTY UNTIL 1245 PM
CDT...
At 1206 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Cynthiana, or 8 miles west of Fort Branch, moving northeast at 40
mph.
Half inch hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this
storm.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3837 8740 3838 8732 3820 8732 3817 8769
3820 8769 3820 8780 3823 8780 3823 8799
3830 8793 3827 8791 3831 8786 3828 8785
3841 8775 3846 8765 3845 8765 3845 8760
3852 8754 3849 8750 3852 8747
TIME...MOT...LOC 1706Z 235DEG 36KT 3820 8772
SPSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1214 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019
INZ082-087-261745-
Warrick IN-Pike IN-
1214 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN WARRICK AND SOUTHEASTERN
PIKE COUNTIES UNTIL 1245 PM CDT...
At 1214 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Lynnville, or 8 miles north of Boonville, moving east at 35 mph.
Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3812 8702 3812 8707 3810 8707 3806 8710
3806 8740 3820 8741 3820 8732 3828 8732
3834 8707 3821 8707 3820 8702
TIME...MOT...LOC 1714Z 253DEG 28KT 3817 8729
SPSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Paducah KY 1231 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019 ILZ091-KYZ007-010-261800- Hardin IL-Crittenden KY-Livingston KY- 1231 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL HARDIN...NORTH CENTRAL LIVINGSTON AND NORTHWESTERN CRITTENDEN COUNTIES UNTIL 100 PM CDT... At 1231 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Joy, or 14 miles west of Marion, moving northeast at 35 mph. Strong wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm. This may result in tree damage. Locations impacted include... Rosiclare, Joy, Cave-in-Rock, Elizabethtown and Carrsville. LAT...LON 3730 8837 3741 8842 3757 8815 3739 8804 TIME...MOT...LOC 1731Z 242DEG 32KT 3737 8833 08
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Paducah KY 1244 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019 ILZ076-082-083-261815- White IL-Hamilton IL-Wayne IL- 1244 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN WHITE...SOUTHWESTERN WAYNE AND NORTHEASTERN HAMILTON COUNTIES UNTIL 115 PM CDT... At 1244 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Wayne City, or 10 miles southwest of Fairfield, moving east at 30 mph. Half inch hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Fairfield, Wayne City, Sims, Mill Shoals, Keenes and Belle Prairie City. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. && LAT...LON 3820 8864 3838 8866 3839 8828 3820 8829 TIME...MOT...LOC 1744Z 270DEG 28KT 3829 8851 SP
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Paducah KY 1259 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019 ILZ081-085-261845- Franklin IL-Williamson IL- 1259 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WILLIAMSON AND SOUTHERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES UNTIL 145 PM CDT... At 1258 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Herrin, moving east at 30 mph. Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Carbondale, Marion, Herrin, West Frankfort, Carterville, Johnston City, Zeigler, Crainville, Cambria, Royalton, Energy, Hurst, Pittsburg, Thompsonville, Orient, Freeman Spur, Bush, Whiteash, Colp and Spillertown. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. && LAT...LON 3793 8871 3767 8871 3772 8915 3795 8915 TIME...MOT...LOC 1758Z 275DEG 27KT 3781 8907 SP
The Paducah radar (KPAH), 85 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:09 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Tree limbs and power lines were blown down, causing power outages.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, May 2019
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: 816231.