Split upper level flow rejoined and blew horizontally over southern Indiana and central Kentucky. High pressure was parked over the southeastern United States.
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.
Split upper level flow rejoined and blew horizontally over southern Indiana and central Kentucky. High pressure was parked over the southeastern United States. This provided anticyclonic moist low level flow up the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. On May 26th a front running west to east over northern Indiana slowly moved south towards the Ohio River kicking up severe storms in central Kentucky before retreating back north. On the 28th, the front was back in northern Indiana with a surface low. On May 29th, from the low pressure system, a bowing cold front pushed southeast towards the Ohio River kicking off heavy rainfall that caused localized flooding in southern Indiana and storms that produced severe hail in Kentucky.
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 May 26, 1:00 PM EST, 20 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Louisville KY 200 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019 .Forecast Update... Issued at 200 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019 ...Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect Until 9 PM EDT... Severe Thunderstorm Watch #252 has been issued until 9 PM EDT for all of our southern Indiana counties and much of central KY. We have become moderately unstable in the presence of 35-45 knots of deep layer shear. Not a whole lot of directional shear, but enough to warrant at least mention of a few supercells (possibly splitting?). Luckily, the tornado threat is pretty low given the lack of low level shear. So, main threats will be damaging wind in the presence of DCAPE values north of 1000 J/KG. In addition, some marginally severe hail is possible with the strongest updrafts. In addition to the severe threats, brief heavy rainfall and cloud to ground lightning will accompany any storm. Should some training occur, may have to watch for an isolated Flash Flood threat. Will be updating zones to increase coverage of showers and storms along and north of I-64 into the likely to categorical range. Further south, coverage should stay more scattered in nature. Shear also drops off further south so would expect more pulse type storm modes in that environment. Issued at 1111 AM EDT Sun May 26 2019 ...A Few Strong Storms Expected This Afternoon... Confidence continues to increase that we will see development of scattered thunderstorms by early to mid afternoon across the region. Current visible satellite imagery shows mostly sunny skies over the CWA. With several hours of heating still to go and dew points in the mid to upper 60s, we should become moderately unstable by early to mid afternoon. ML CAPE values will likely reach up around the 1500 J/KG range, with pockets of ~2000 J/KG possible. Regional radar shows an MCV currently over the St. Louis region, and this feature is expected to continue on it's ENE trajectory toward our area later by afternoon. This feature, along with differential heating and local effects, will likely be enough to trigger scattered to numerous showers and storms by early afternoon across our western CWA, moving east through the afternoon and early evening. Overall deep layer shear will be fairly weak in the 25-35 knot range, however it is marginal enough that a few of the strongest storms may be able to organize. Any severe threat will likely be limited to isolated damaging wind gusts given DCAPE values above 1000. Marginally severe hail can't be ruled out, but would only expect that threat with the strongest updrafts. Did want to note that some forecast soundings still show a decent subsidence inversion around H7 likely due to our proximity to the upper ridge anchored over the SE CONUS. This feature could play a limiting factor, however given good model agreement (including the CAMs) that storms will fire feel that any inversion will be overcome. && .Short Term...(Today and tonight) Issued at 300 AM EDT Sun May 26 2019 Very warm and humid conditions will continue across the Ohio Valley today, but will turn more unsettled as the Gulf Coast upper ridge starts to break down. The weakening in the ridge will allow a quasi- stationary front to our north to sag closer to the area as the day progresses. Vigorous convection is going through the night along the Iowa/Missouri border and eastward across central Illinois. These storms will expand into central Indiana through daybreak, putting out boundaries to their south and east. North-south band of storms from Kansas City to Tulsa is weakening, but we'll need to watch for any MCV that can generate. Expect at least scattered thunderstorms to fire mainly over southern Indiana toward mid-afternoon in a juicy air mass. Steep low-level lapse rates and plenty of DCAPE will support a damaging wind threat, so SPC has a Slight Risk for southern Indiana and much of central Kentucky. Will roll with a 40-50 POP in Indiana and the northern tier or two of Kentucky counties, and that may be on the conservative side. Precip chances taper down fairly sharply south of the Parkways, as south-central Kentucky could be left high and dry. Highs near 90 are a good bet in south-central Kentucky, and could be in play as far north as Louisville and especially Lexington depending on convective timing. Storms should be able to push through the area during the late afternoon and evening hours, allowing us to dry out from west to east after midnight. This could be a decent fog setup, but will be limited by a mid-level cloud deck along and north of the I-64 corridor, so will not get carried away until we see how much rain falls and where. .Long Term...(Monday through Saturday) Issued at 305 AM EDT Sun May 26 2019 Memorial Day... A weak warm front is forecast to lift NE across the OH Valley during the day. This boundary will lie roughly across southern IN into northern KY Monday morning. An axis of higher moisture and instability aligned near the boundary could facilitate isolated convection over our northern forecast area Monday before lifting NE out of our area later in the day. However, any cells will not greatly hamper outdoor activities. It will be quite warm and humid with afternoon highs in the mid 80s to around 90 with max heat indices a few degrees higher. Tuesday and Wednesday... The stout ridge aloft over the southeastern U.S. is expected to build northward temporarily on Tue across the lower OH Valley. This should keep conditions dry. GFS model soundings show a subsidence inversion aloft which should keep a cap on storm development, despite steep mid-level lapse rates above the cap. Afternoon high temps should top out from 86 to 91, about 5-10 degrees above normal. On Tue night, a line of convection, potentially severe, is expected over the eastern Plains and mid MS Valley. Models bring this activity into the OH Valley on Wed in a weakened state, with the models then dissipating the activity pretty quickly over the lower OH Valley, including our forecast area. Have to wonder whether this dissipation will occur as quickly as models state, or whether scattered showers and storms could still occur. Our latest blended forecast reflects "chance" probabilities Wed morning into early afternoon before falling off. Thursday... Renewed convection is forecast Wed afternoon and night over parts of the southern Plains and lower MS Valley, which should propagate NE into the TN and lower OH Valleys on Thu ahead of a decent shortwave trough that should facilitate ample forcing. As a result, scattered to numerous showers and storms are expected. However, storm intensity is in question due to cloud cover and timing potentially tempering instability somewhat despite moderate shear. Nevertheless, a few strong cells may still occur, especially over parts of central KY where the best heating may occur prior to precip onset. Friday and next weekend... Models suggest passage of a weak cold front Thu night and Fri associated with the Thu system. Surface high pressure should build in behind it with a modest drop in humidity and mainly dry weather Fri and Sat. Expect afternoon highs Fri within a few degrees of 80, then about 80-85 Sat afternoon. Despite some model differences, a developing westerly flow pattern aloft should bring low-level moisture back to the lower OH Valley starting on Sunday with a chance of showers and storms at that time. && .Aviation...(18Z TAF Issuance) Updated at 155 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019 VFR conditions will prevail outside of any thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, however the t-storm threat will be high at HNB/SDF/LEX through the remainder of the daylight hours. Have included TEMPO mention for best timing of storms at each site, where vis could briefly go below 3 SM. Gusty W winds will also accompany any storm. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 9 PM EDT. Otherwise, expect sct-bkn cu around 4-5 K feet with increasing upper sky cover this afternoon. Look for SW winds 10 to 15 mph, gusting up around 20-25 mph at times through evening. Overnight, some fog could develop, especially in areas that have seen rainfall. More shower and storm chances will be around for Monday, but low confidence right now and dependent on what happens with this evening's showers and storms/remnant outflow. && .LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IN...None. KY...None. && Update...BJS Short Term...RAS Long Term...TWF Aviation...BJS
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Louisville KY 149 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019 INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-063>067-271800- 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-Nicholas-Nelson-Mercer-Jessamine-Larue-Marion-Boyle- Garrard-Madison-Hart-Green-Taylor-Casey-Lincoln- 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, Cynthiana, Taylorsville, Lawrenceburg, Versailles, Lexington, Paris, Carlisle, Bardstown, Springfield, Harrodsburg, Nicholasville, Winchester, Hodgenville, Lebanon, Danville, Lancaster, Richmond, Horse Cave, Greensburg, Campbellsville, Liberty, and Stanford 149 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019 /1249 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019/ ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 252 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT /8 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING... This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central Indiana and Central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms this afternoon and evening could produce locally damaging winds, large hail, and brief torrential downpours. The best chance for storms, and the strongest storms, will be across southern Indiana and into central Kentucky. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Along a warm front, isolated thunderstorms are possible through mid- afternoon Monday across parts of south-central Indiana and north- central and east-central Kentucky, with brief heavy rainfall and gusty winds possible. Another weather system could bring isolated thunderstorms Wednesday, with a better chance for thunderstorms, a few possible strong, on Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report instances of damaging wind and any size hail to the National Weather Service in Louisville. KYZ061-062-070>078-081-082-271800- Butler-Edmonson-Logan-Warren-Simpson-Allen-Barren-Monroe-Metcalfe- Adair-Russell-Cumberland-Clinton- Including the cities of Morgantown, Brownsville, Russellville, Bowling Green, Franklin, Providence, Scottsville, Glasgow, Tompkinsville, Edmonton, Columbia, Jamestown, Burkesville, and Albany 1249 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central Indiana and Central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms this afternoon and evening could produce locally damaging winds and brief torrential downpours. The best chance for storms, and the strongest storms, will be across southern Indiana and into north-central Kentucky. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Along a warm front, isolated thunderstorms are possible through mid- afternoon Monday across parts of south-central Indiana and north- central and east-central Kentucky, with brief heavy rainfall and gusty winds possible. Another weather system could bring isolated thunderstorms Wednesday, with a better chance for thunderstorms, a few possible strong, on Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening. BJS
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Louisville KY 140 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019 INZ090-091-261815- Floyd-Harrison- 140 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN HARRISON AND WESTERN FLOYD COUNTIES... At 140 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Corydon, moving east at 30 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Corydon, Galena, Lanesville, Crandall, New Salisbury, Moberly, Byrneville and Breckenridge. LAT...LON 3823 8622 3827 8623 3837 8594 3821 8591 TIME...MOT...LOC 1740Z 262DEG 27KT 3827 8617 KDW
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Louisville KY 210 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019 INZ090-091-KYZ029-030-261845- Floyd-Harrison-Jefferson-Bullitt- 210 PM EDT Sun May 26 2019 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN HARRISON...SOUTH CENTRAL FLOYD...SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON AND NORTH CENTRAL BULLITT COUNTIES... At 210 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Pleasure Ridge Park, moving east at 30 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Louisville, Shively, Audubon Park, West Buechel, Watterson Park, Lynnview, Seneca Gardens, Parkway Village, Strathmoor Village and Hollyvilla. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. LAT...LON 3814 8598 3826 8590 3822 8564 3805 8575 TIME...MOT...LOC 1810Z 291DEG 27KT 3816 8590 KDW
The Louisville radar (KLVX), 28 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:17 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind, 4 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Broadcast media relayed a public report of a tree that was on a building near Dixie Highway and Noble Road.
A large tree fell on a yard near the intersection of Manslick and Knight Road.
A tree was reported down on State Road 1194 near Stanford.
A tree was reported down on State Road 198.
A tree blew down and covered one lane of State Road 70.
The public reported that multiple trees were down along Jason Ridge Road. Hail was between quarter and ping pong ball size.
One inch hail was reported.
Large hail impacted the Davis Crossroads area of Butler County.
One inch hail was reported.
One and a quarter inch hail was reported.
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: 818094, 818095, 818096, 818097, 818098, 818100, 818089, 818090, 818091, 818092.