June 21 started a period of active weather for southern Indiana and central Kentucky. On June 21, A large Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) formed over Missouri early in the day.
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.
June 21 started a period of active weather for southern Indiana and central Kentucky.
On June 21, A large Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) formed over Missouri early in the day. By afternoon, a line of severe storms had made its way into southern Indiana, doing isolated damage. This line continued south and southeast into Kentucky.
On June 23, in much of the same way, large MCSs that originated in Kansas and Missouri continued traveling south and east while expanding. These systems took advantage of afternoon heating that fueled stronger lines and expanded stretching over multiple states. The result was severe damage in a few southern Indiana counties.
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 Jun 21, 3:23 PM EST, 1 hour 33 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
423 PM EDT Fri Jun 21 2019
.Forecast Update...
Issued at 420 PM EDT Fri Jun 21 2019
Seeing the north/south oriented part of the line entering the Wabash
now start to weaken with regard to lightning and cloud tops and a
lack of wind/wind damage reports. The southern part of that line is
becoming more robust however, with cellular activity showing some
much colder cloud tops on latest IR imagery. Will follow this part
of the line downstream into our forecast area and after coordination
with SPC decided on a watch. Kept the Louisville metro out of this
watch...given that weakening line.
A second MCS is moving in from southeast MO and we will have to
watch to see how that interacts with the first line. Models have
been pegging that part of the line to stay stronger farther into our
area later this evening, but expect the first wave to stabilize the
lower levels. We can readjust the watch area later as we see how
that interaction plays out.
&&
.Short Term...(This evening through Saturday)
Issued at 315 PM EDT Fri Jun 21 2019
...Strong to Severe Storms Likely This Evening Through Tonight...
A complicated forecast is in store for the short term. Regional
radars and GOES-satellite reveal two distinct MCSs across central IL
and central MO at this hour. These MCSs are riding along a warm
front and instability gradient which is beginning to advect into our
region. These MCSs should continue to follow along the front and
begin to take a dive to the southeast here soon.
The latest high-res models have not handled the MCS in central IL
very well. Most have had it weakening significantly as it progresses
eastward, however, it has managed to maintain itself longer than
what they predicted. It is noteworthy that over the last 30-60
minutes, cloud tops have started to warm, lightning activity has
decreased, and radar imagery doesn't look as impressive compared to
earlier in the day. Additionally, appears the severe potential with
the MCS has been at a minimum over the last hour, as observations in
the path of it have generally reported sub-severe winds. This may be
due to a frontal inversion that has kept the strongest winds from
mixing down to the surface. As this MCS approaches our region, the
northern portion of the MCS should remain sub-severe, though it's
tough to say whether or not southern portions of the line will be
capable of sporadic severe winds when it arrives since theoretically
there should be less CIN in those areas with it being in close
proximity to the warm front. Based on some rough timing estimates,
think this line will begin entering our CWA (Dubois County, IN)
around 21z, and then arriving to the Louisville/Bowing Green Metro
areas around 22z-00z, and then arriving to the Lexington metro area
by 00z-02z, if it holds together.
The second MCS over MO is the one more likely to produce our severe
weather based on the latest high-res guidance. This second MCS will
be on the heels of the first, so we may see a slight break in the
action, but it should quickly fill in. The warm front/instability
gradient will continue to advect eastward into our region out ahead
of the second MCS, which will aid in destabilizing the atmosphere
even more. The big caveat to severe weather potential in our region
is if the first MCS slows the advancement of the warm front and
stabilizes the atmosphere ahead of the second MCS. Given that most
guidance weakens the first MCS in central IL significantly and does
not have it impacting our region, they result in a more unstable
atmosphere ahead of the second MCS in MO, so they may not have the
best portrayal of environmental conditions. Still, given the
consistency in guidance to destabilize things quickly ahead of the
second MCS, and a 30-40kt LLJ pumping in moisture/higher theta-E air
from the southwest, will continue to advertise likely severe weather
across the region, with the highest chances generally along and west
of the I-65 corridor. Damaging straight line winds will be the most
likely threat with the line, though brief isolated tornadoes will be
possible within bowing segments and embedded mesovortices.
The potential for yet another MCS (#3) could occur after midnight,
bringing additional showers/storms and potential severe weather. We
may finally start to dry out late tomorrow morning into the
afternoon. Confidence in this third MCS remains low, but is
something to watch. Given that our area will experience multiple
rounds of heavy rainfall, and most area creeks/rivers/streams are
still running high, will go ahead and put out a flash flood watch
for much of southern Indiana and central Kentucky. This watch will
run through tomorrow morning, but it may need to be expanded in time
through the weekend if confidence increases in additional rounds of
rain.
.Long Term...(Saturday night through Friday)
Issued at 325 PM EDT Fri Jun 21 2019
Saturday Night - Monday...
An active weather pattern looks to continue through early next week.
Saturday night a weak sfc boundary over the area combined with upper
level shortwave activity and plenty of instability will provide
focus for showers and storms. Strong storms are possible Sat
evening before the environment becomes more elevated later Sat
night into Sun morning.
After a morning storm complex on Sun, we should see a break in
convection for a large chunk of the day with an upper level ridge
axis passing through. However, plenty of instability is expected to
build Sun afternoon and could kick off scattered showers and storms
especially along any left over boundaries from morning storms.
Scattered showers and storms will likely continue into Sun night.
Monday an upper level trough and cold front will approach the
region. This should bring a better chance for showers and storms
and possibly a more organized threat for some of those to be strong
to severe with bulk shear values of 25-35 kts and CAPE values of
1500-2500 j/kg. The cold front passage is expected Mon evening.
Temperatures will be in the 80s for highs Sun/Mon with Sun being the
hotter day under the upper level ridge. Low temps should range
through the upper 60s to low 70s.
Tuesday - Friday...
A few showers/storms may linger over east central KY on Tues before
the area goes dry. A period of mainly dry weather is expected Tues-
Fri as upper level ridging builds in over the southern U.S. A few
small chances for diurnally driven storms may exist during the
afternoon/evening hours each day next week, but mainly dry weather
is anticipated. A slow warm up is expected with temps starting in
the mid 80s for highs on Tues and increasing to the upper 80s to
around 90 for highs by the end of the work week.
&&
.Aviation...(18Z TAF Issuance)
Updated at 115 PM EDT Fri Jun 21 2019
Regional radars show a severe line of storms currently across
western IL at this hour. This line of storms is anticipated to move
toward our region late this afternoon and early evening. Expect poor
cigs/vis for a period of time, along with gusty winds. Some wind
gusts may exceed 60mph in stronger parts of the line. Additional
lines of storms may also impact the region overnight, though
confidence in their timing and evolution remain low. It appears we
should see clearing and VFR conditions return tomorrow after
sunrise.
&&
.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IN...Flash Flood Watch through Saturday morning for INZ076>079-083-
084-089>092.
KY...Flash Flood Watch through Saturday morning for KYZ023>036-
038>042-045>049-053>057-061>067-070>078-081-082.
&&
Update...RJS
Short Term...DM
Long Term...AMS
Aviation...DMHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Louisville KY 347 PM EDT Fri Jun 21 2019 INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>036-038>042-045>049-053>057- 061>067-070>078-081-082-222000- 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-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, Taylorsville, Lawrenceburg, Versailles, Lexington, Paris, 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 347 PM EDT Fri Jun 21 2019 /247 PM CDT Fri Jun 21 2019/ ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING... This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central Indiana and Central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms will move through the region tonight. Some of the storms could be strong to severe, with damaging wind gusts being the main threat. Flash flooding will also be possible in areas that see repeated heavy rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are possible Saturday through Monday. Heavy rain and localized flooding will be the main threats, along with cloud to ground lightning. A few of the stronger storms could also produce hail and locally damaging wind gusts. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed at times through the weekend. KYZ037-043-222000- Harrison-Nicholas- Including the cities of Cynthiana and Carlisle 347 PM EDT Fri Jun 21 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central Indiana and Central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms will move through the region tonight. Some of the storms could be strong to severe, with damaging wind gusts being the main threat. Flash flooding will also be possible in areas that see repeated heavy rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are possible Saturday through Monday. Heavy rain and localized flooding will be the main threats, along with cloud to ground lightning. A few of the stronger storms could also produce hail and locally damaging wind gusts. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed at times through the weekend. DM/AMS
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
524 PM EDT Fri Jun 21 2019
INZ083-089-212215-
Perry-Dubois-
524 PM EDT Fri Jun 21 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN DUBOIS AND NORTHWESTERN
PERRY COUNTIES...
At 523 PM EDT/423 PM CDT/, a strong thunderstorm was located 7 miles
northeast of Lynnville, moving east at 35 mph.
Winds between 40 to 50 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Huntingburg, Ferdinand, Holland, Adyeville, Huntingburg Airport,
Siberia, Saint Henry and Johnsburg.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3832 8707 3827 8669 3812 8681 3814 8680
3815 8681 3816 8680 3818 8680 3818 8679
3821 8679 3820 8701 3820 8707
TIME...MOT...LOC 2123Z 279DEG 32KT 3827 8721
SCHOETTMERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
546 PM EDT Fri Jun 21 2019
INZ083-212215-
Dubois-
546 PM EDT Fri Jun 21 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT DUBOIS COUNTY...
At 545 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Jasper, moving
east at 35 mph.
Winds between 40 to 50 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Jasper, Huntingburg, Birdseye, Dubois, Hillham, Celestine,
Millersport, Bretzville, Mentor and Ellsworth.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3850 8707 3850 8706 3851 8705 3851 8700
3850 8698 3850 8696 3849 8696 3849 8695
3851 8693 3850 8691 3850 8688 3853 8683
3853 8668 3827 8669 3832 8707
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 269DEG 29KT 3843 8701
SCHOETTMERThe Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 65 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:55 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The Emergency Manager reported a tree down across Old State Road 64 near Huntingburg. There was another report of a tree down across Division Road west of Jasper.
There was a report of a large tree down adjacent to a house near East Mariah Hill Road near Ferdinand.
Dispatch reported that a couple of trees were blown down west of Huntingburg near the county line.
A tree was reported down on Boyd Road near State Road 237.
A tree was reported down in Leavenworth.
Multiple trees were reported down in Corydon.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Indiana, June 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: 841409, 841411, 841413, 841417, 841419, 841420.