During the day, a front remained parked near the Ohio River. This helped to produce heavy rainfall in storms that were nearly stationary.
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.
During the day, a front remained parked near the Ohio River. This helped to produce heavy rainfall in storms that were nearly stationary. One of the storms occurred over Corydon, IN, where more than 2.5 inches of rain fell in 30 minutes, quickly overflowing storm sewers. Ponded water three to four feet in depth damaged several homes, businesses, and vehicles.
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 Aug 13, 1:42 PM EST, 51 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Louisville KY 242 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2020 .Short Term...(This evening through Friday) Issued at 237 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2020 Scattered showers and storms are ongoing at this hour across the region near a weak boundary. Very weak deep layer shear has resulted in slow movements, and high PWATs (>2") have made many of these thunderstorms capable of dropping quite a bit of rain in a short timeframe. As a result, rainfall totals across the region today will vary significantly over short distances given the scattered nature of these storms. The scattered coverage and lack of longevity of this activity tends to not warrant a flash flood watch, but there will certainly be a few localized areas that see +2" of rain with potential for some flooding. The strongest storms today will also be capable of +40mph winds in water-loaded downbursts, though any strong to severe storms should be very isolated. Activity should begin to taper down in coverage this evening as the sun sets and daytime heating is lost. This will result in a brief break of showers and storms, but new activity is expected to develop overnight and move into the region ahead of a weak upper level wave. Scattered showers and storms will likely persist past sunrise tomorrow morning, with additional development expected during the afternoon. As a result, PoP chances are fairly high for tomorrow (50- 70%), but most precip activity will be short-lived in nature. Much like today, expect heavy downpours in thunderstorms and isolated flooding, along with isolated sub-severe storms that will be capable of gusty winds. && .Long Term...(Friday night through Thursday) Issued at 241 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2020 Friday Night - Sunday Night... Unsettled weather is expected to continue through the weekend. Fri night an upper level trough and weak sfc front will be over the region providing focus for showers/storms Fri evening before loss of day time heating causes convection to diminish overnight. Saturday the same trough will slowly move east pushing the weak sfc front well to the east of central KY. However, the lingering upper trough may provide enough energy for organized convection especially east of I-65. Another chance for sct showers/storms will arrive Sunday with a cold front passing through the Midwest. For storm threats, isolated strong wind gusts and nuisance flooding may be a factor with storms through the weekend. However, no organized severe weather threat exists and PWATs drop significantly Fri night so no big flash flood threat is expected either. Temperatures through the weekend will range from the low to mid 80s across the area with lows in the 60s. Monday through Thursday... The beginning of next week looks to be dry and cooler behind the passage of a cold front Sun night. Expect highs on Mon in the lower 80s. A re-enforcing shot of cool air will arrive Mon night with an upper trough and weak sfc cold front. This will limit highs to the upper 70s/lower 80s for Tues/Wed. A stray shower isn't totally out of the question Monday evening with the front, but will keep the forecast dry for now since the model consensus remains dry. Wed night into Thu, long range models indicate the upper trough will deepen over the lower Ohio Valley. This will result in a moist/unstable airmass developing just to our east which may get into our east central KY area resulting in the return of showers/storms toward the end of the work week. && .Aviation...(18Z TAF Issuance) Issued at 101 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2020 Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms have formed this afternoon near a weak boundary across central Kentucky. This activity will likely persist up through sunset before gradually tapering down in coverage. Models hint at overnight showers and storms redeveloping and moving into the region in the 03-06z timeframe and persisting past sunrise tomorrow morning. Confidence in where this may occur is low, and for now will highlight the potential with VCSH wording. && .LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IN...None. KY...None. && Short Term...DM Long Term...AMS Aviation...DM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Louisville KY 247 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2020 INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067- 070>078-081-082-141900- 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-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, Cynthiana, Taylorsville, Lawrenceburg, Versailles, Lexington, Paris, Carlisle, 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 247 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2020 /147 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2020/ This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central Indiana and Central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are possible tonight. The main threats from these storms will be locally gusty winds and heavy rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Scattered to numerous afternoon and evening thunderstorms can be expected from Friday through Sunday as heat and humidity continue. The main threats from these storms will be locally gusty winds and heavy rainfall. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters should report any stronger wind gusts as well as heavier rainfall totals or flooding. DM/AMS
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
241 PM EDT THU AUG 13 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0200 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 NNW FAIRDALE 38.15N 85.77W
08/13/2020 JEFFERSON KY BROADCAST MEDIA
MULTIPLE TREES UPROOTED NEAR NEW CUT RD AND
SOUTHSIDE DR - RELAYED FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
POST. TIME ESTIMATED.
&&
JBSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
143 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2020
KYZ024-027-131915-
Grayson-Breckinridge-
143 PM CDT Thu Aug 13 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL GRAYSON AND SOUTH
CENTRAL BRECKINRIDGE COUNTIES...
At 143 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Leitchfield,
moving east at 10 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Leitchfield, Clarkson, Post, Cobblers Knob, Peonia, Peth, Grayson
Springs, Black Rock, Skaggstown and Duff.
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 3763 8630 3760 8627 3759 8628 3759 8627
3742 8615 3737 8643 3751 8650
TIME...MOT...LOC 1843Z 247DEG 7KT 3746 8638
KDWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
251 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2020
INZ090-131915-
Harrison-
251 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHERN HARRISON COUNTY...
At 251 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Corydon, moving
northwest at 15 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Corydon, Crandall, New Salisbury, Moberly, Byrneville, White Cloud,
Depauw, Fairdale, Central Barren and Ramsey.
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 3841 8615 3834 8603 3833 8603 3832 8601
3830 8601 3830 8600 3816 8612 3824 8628
3828 8627 3829 8627 3829 8626 3830 8626
TIME...MOT...LOC 1851Z 131DEG 15KT 3827 8612
KDWSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Louisville KY 255 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2020 KYZ064-065-131930- Taylor-Green- 255 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL GREEN AND WEST CENTRAL TAYLOR COUNTIES... At 255 PM EDT/155 PM CDT/, a strong thunderstorm was located near Greensburg and was nearly stationary. Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Bloyd, Bengal, Allendale, Gabe, Mac, Pitman, Coakley and Summersville. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. LAT...LON 3727 8550 3730 8563 3743 8558 3739 8540 TIME...MOT...LOC 1855Z 201DEG 8KT 3735 8554 DM
The Louisville radar (KLVX), 33 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:33 UTC.
1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Flood waters made it into numerous homes and businesses, and a water rescue took place on Budd Road. Cost of damages estimated.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Indiana, August 2020
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: 915033.