Numerous showers and thunderstorms developed this afternoon, continuing into the evening along an outflow boundary. Several of these storms momentarily became strong as this outflow boundary intersected them, with two reaching severe limits.
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 JKL wrote it up.
Numerous showers and thunderstorms developed this afternoon, continuing into the evening along an outflow boundary. Several of these storms momentarily became strong as this outflow boundary intersected them, with two reaching severe limits. One of these was just southwest of Corbin as it moved over the Oak Grove community, and the other was in Jackson.
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 Jackson, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 2, 3:55 PM EST, 14 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Jackson KY 455 PM EDT Thu May 2 2019 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday night) Issued at 455 PM EDT THU MAY 2 2019 The latest surface map features a wavy surface boundary aligned from the northern Ohio Valley down across the Midwest and into the Arklatex region. An embedded surface low, associated with an MCV is located across central Arkansas, with an inverted surface trough branched to the northeast into western Tennessee. Aloft, broad troughing remains across the Rockies, with an upper level ridge of high pressure centered across the western Atlantic. This is keeping southwest flow across the Ohio and Tennessee valleys. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms have been firing up across portions of eastern Kentucky this afternoon. The better coverage and taller storms have generally remained just off to our west, southwest, and northwest. Larger-scale outflow, from last night's convection out west, has worked in through the day; however, nothing particularly organized has initiated along and ahead of this boundary. Shear has been modest across eastern Kentucky, with 0-6 km values of less than 30 kts. ML CAPE values generally range from 500-1500 J/kg. Local outflows continue to initiate new convection, and some storms will continue to threaten with stronger wind gusts as well as some small hail. This convection will gradually diminish into tonight, as we lose heating. Some patchy fog may form if we can clear out enough. Meanwhile, the MCV will be moving northeast, with convection likely aligning along the associated inverted trough. At this time, it looks that the heaviest rainfall will align just to our northwest. This feature will move nearby into Friday, bringing likely to widespread showers and some thunderstorms. Convection will diminish from west to east late in the day, with another general lull in activity expected through most of Friday night. The air mass will be balmy through the short term, with dew points averaging in the low to mid 60s. Lows tonight and Friday night will be in the low 60s, with highs on Friday in the upper 70s to lower 80s. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday) Issued at 300 PM EDT THU MAY 2 2019 The model data continues to suggest that a slow moving cold front, and weak impulses of low pressure moving along it, will bring widespread rainfall to eastern Kentucky over the weekend. The bulk of the expected rainfall should fall Saturday and Saturday night. The front should finally start to move during the day on Sunday. As the boundary, and its parent trough of low pressure aloft, begin to move east and out of the area on Sunday, the rain will exit the area as well. The rainfall should begin to taper off fairly quickly Sunday morning and afternoon. The last of the precip should be out of the area by 22 or 23Z. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible Saturday afternoon into Saturday night, as the front begins to move slowly across the region. A strong ridge of high pressure is forecast to settle over the region to begin the new work week. This system will bring warm and dry weather to eastern Kentucky from Sunday evening through Tuesday evening. A second area of low pressure is forecast to affect eastern Kentucky toward the middle of next week, and will be the next weather maker we will be keeping our eye on. Temperatures will be above normal on average, with daily highs ranging from the mid 70s to mid 80s, and nightly lows in the 50s to lower 60s on tap. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday afternoon) ISSUED AT 221 PM EDT THU MAY 2 2019 Scattered convection will threaten the area through early this evening, with a line from KSYM to KSME seeing the better chance of seeing the overall best chance of seeing thunderstorms. Have gone with some TEMPO groups here between 19 and 23z, with MVFR conditions, although some temporary IFR conditions can not be ruled out. Also, some localized stronger wind gusts up to 40 kts may occur within any stronger storms. Further east, have held onto thunder in the vicinity through this evening. Convection should diminish into the overnight, before another uptick may occur towards dawn, especially along and west of a line from KSYM to KSME. Fog may also may be a factor overnight, depending on how convection plays out as well as clearing potential. Southwest winds of 5 to 10 kts, will diminish to around 5 kts or less through this evening, before increasing once again to 5 to 10 kts after the mid-morning hours on Friday. && .JKL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SHORT TERM...GEOGERIAN LONG TERM...AR AVIATION...GEOGERIAN
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson KY 427 PM EDT Thu May 2 2019 KYZ044-050>052-058>060-068-069-079-080-083>088-104-106>120-031100- Fleming-Montgomery-Bath-Rowan-Estill-Powell-Menifee-Rockcastle- Jackson-Pulaski-Laurel-Wayne-McCreary-Whitley-Knox-Bell-Harlan- Elliott-Morgan-Johnson-Wolfe-Magoffin-Floyd-Lee-Breathitt-Knott- Owsley-Perry-Clay-Leslie-Letcher-Martin-Pike- Including the cities of Flemingsburg, Camargo, Jeffersonville, Mount Sterling, Owingsville, Morehead, Irvine, Ravenna, Clay City, Stanton, Frenchburg, Brodhead, Mount Vernon, McKee, Annville, Burnside, Somerset, London, Monticello, Stearns, Whitley City, Corbin, Williamsburg, Barbourville, Middlesboro, Pineville, Cumberland, Harlan, Sandy Hook, West Liberty, Paintsville, Campton, Salyersville, Prestonsburg, Wheelwright, Beattyville, Jackson, Hindman, Pippa Passes, Booneville, Hazard, Manchester, Hyden, Jenkins, Whitesburg, Inez, Coal Run, Elkhorn City, Pikeville, and South Williamson 427 PM EDT Thu May 2 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Late This Afternoon and Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are expected through late this afternoon, before diminishing into this evening. Some of these storms could contain strong wind gusts and small hail. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Thunderstorms are possible at times from Friday through Saturday evening, and again on Wednesday, especially during the afternoon and evening hours. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. HAL/GEOGERIAN/AR
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
242 PM EDT Thu May 2 2019
KYZ051-052-059-060-021915-
Rowan-Menifee-Bath-Powell-
242 PM EDT Thu May 2 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EAST CENTRAL POWELL...
SOUTHEASTERN BATH...MENIFEE AND SOUTHWESTERN ROWAN COUNTIES...
At 241 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Tabor, or over
Frenchburg, moving northeast at 30 mph.
Winds up to 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Frenchburg, Wellington, Salt Lick, Campsites in the Indian Creek area
of the Daniel Boone National Forrest, Yale, Paragon, Denniston, Young
Springs, Dan, Fagan, Bangor, Tabor, Cogswell, Ratlitt, Zilpo, Sudith,
Scranton, Artville, Mariba and Pomeroyton.
LAT...LON 3806 8338 3804 8340 3805 8342 3804 8343
3797 8344 3782 8356 3782 8359 3783 8361
3783 8363 3786 8373 3814 8360
TIME...MOT...LOC 1841Z 208DEG 27KT 3792 8363
GEOGERIANSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
251 PM EDT Thu May 2 2019
KYZ079-083-021930-
Wayne-Pulaski-
251 PM EDT Thu May 2 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN WAYNE AND CENTRAL
PULASKI COUNTIES...
At 251 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Frazer, or 10
miles southwest of Somerset, moving northeast at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Somerset, Science Hill, Burnside, Naomi, Stab, Nancy, Pointer,
Bronston, Ruth, Elihu, Quinton, Dabney, Frazer, Pulaski County Park,
Somerset Pulaski Airport, Kidder, Mill Springs, Hogue, General
Burnside S.P. and Tateville.
LAT...LON 3722 8475 3725 8470 3714 8444 3688 8465
3694 8484
TIME...MOT...LOC 1851Z 208DEG 21KT 3697 8475
GEOGERIANSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
309 PM EDT Thu May 2 2019
KYZ051-052-060-106-022000-
Rowan-Menifee-Morgan-Bath-
309 PM EDT Thu May 2 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN BATH...NORTHWESTERN
MORGAN...NORTHEASTERN MENIFEE AND ROWAN COUNTIES...
At 309 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Yale, or 9
miles northeast of Frenchburg, moving northeast at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Morehead, Cranston, Elliottville, Yale, Triplett, Christy, Hilda,
Bangor, Cogswell, Zilpo, Pelfrey, Hamm, Crix, Farmers, Wagner Store,
Munson, Brandy, Paragon, Bluestone and Haldeman.
LAT...LON 3830 8333 3821 8330 3821 8329 3819 8326
3819 8324 3798 8343 3805 8361 3827 8352
3827 8351 3828 8351 3836 8348 3836 8346
3839 8344 3840 8341
TIME...MOT...LOC 1909Z 208DEG 27KT 3806 8351
GEOGERIANSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
408 PM EDT Thu May 2 2019
KYZ044-052-022030-
Rowan-Fleming-
408 PM EDT Thu May 2 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN FLEMING AND NORTH
CENTRAL ROWAN COUNTIES...
At 408 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Plummers
Landing, or 9 miles northwest of Morehead, moving northeast at 35
mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Cranston, Plummers Landing, Triplett, Muses Mills and Waltz.
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 8339 3835 8337 3832 8336 3832 8334
3829 8333 3828 8333 3824 8358 3833 8362
3840 8347 3838 8345 3840 8341
TIME...MOT...LOC 2008Z 245DEG 30KT 3831 8352
JGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
418 PM EDT Thu May 2 2019
KYZ059-060-108-022045-
Menifee-Wolfe-Powell-
418 PM EDT Thu May 2 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN POWELL...SOUTHERN
MENIFEE AND NORTHWESTERN WOLFE COUNTIES...
At 418 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Rogers Chapel,
or near Stanton, moving northeast at 35 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Wellington, Campsites in the Indian Creek area of the Daniel Boone
National Forrest, Bowen, Stoll, Koomer Ridge Campground, Red River
Gorge, Lombard, Denniston, Slade, Furnace, Toliver, Nada, Jenson,
Rosslyn, Valeria, Natural Bridge S.P., Mariba, Pomeroyton, Cat Creek
and Knowlton.
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 3791 8348 3787 8351 3784 8348 3784 8346
3780 8345 3775 8378 3776 8379 3775 8382
3776 8383 3775 8388 3781 8390 3797 8350
TIME...MOT...LOC 2018Z 245DEG 30KT 3779 8380
JGSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service JACKSON KY 444 PM EDT Thu May 2 2019 KYZ059-060-108-022115- Menifee-Wolfe-Powell- 444 PM EDT Thu May 2 2019 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EASTERN POWELL...SOUTHWESTERN MENIFEE AND NORTHWESTERN WOLFE COUNTIES... At 443 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Lombard, or near Stanton, moving northeast at 15 mph. Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Frenchburg, Campsites in the Indian Creek area of the Daniel Boone National Forrest, Bowen, Rothwell, Red River Gorge, Lombard, Slade, Fagan, Nada, Tabor, Valeria, Pomeroyton, Haystack, Rogers Chapel, Natural Bridge S.P. and Mariba. Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until this storm passes. LAT...LON 3784 8348 3775 8377 3778 8382 3799 8368 TIME...MOT...LOC 2043Z 222DEG 11KT 3781 8375 JG
The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 106 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:08 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
An amateur radio operator observed a large tree blown down on Oak Grove School Road just southwest of Corbin.
A citizen reported a tree down on Wolverine Road in Jackson.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, 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: 811083, 811301.