An upper-level disturbance approaching the lower Ohio Valley triggered a large thunderstorm complex that produced heavy rainfall. Although it was small-scale, the slow movement of this disturbance produced torrential rainfall of 1 to 3 inches over a few hours.
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.
An upper-level disturbance approaching the lower Ohio Valley triggered a large thunderstorm complex that produced heavy rainfall. Although it was small-scale, the slow movement of this disturbance produced torrential rainfall of 1 to 3 inches over a few hours. Mean winds through the depth of the atmosphere were generally 5 knots or less to the north-northwest. Precipitable water values were above two inches, which is near the daily record.
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 Aug 14, 1:38 AM CST, 52 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Paducah KY 238 AM CDT Fri Aug 14 2020 .SHORT TERM...(Today through Sunday night) Issued at 238 AM CDT Fri Aug 14 2020 Like last night, dealing with isolated heavy rain issues as cluster of showers and storms developed over the northern Pennyrile region and up into southwest IN. Prolonged rainfall in Daviess and Spencer counties has warranted a Flood Advisory through early this morning. We have one more day to deal with this slow moving upper level system. Today, the bulk of the scattered convection will be situated over our eastern section where the deepest moisture is, namely western Kentucky (especially the Pennyrile region) and southwest Indiana, with lesser coverage westward. By early this evening, the main upper trough will be east of the area, as a weakening upper level ridge moves southeast into the area. The deeper moisture will move out as the trough moves east, so any lingering showers and thunderstorms during the evening hours will be in our far eastern sections. Will maintain only slight chances for the early evening, keeping the overnight hours dry. Temperatures today will be warmest in our far west where readings might approach the 90 degree mark, while in the east where scattered convection is likely, mid 80s should be attainable. Saturday still looks rather dry with weak high pressure building in, despite the small chances the NBM continues to paint in our eastern counties. Might be enough moisture for an isolated shower but will work to reduce or remove the going PoPs for Saturday. In reality, the better chances for some isolated showers actually looks to be Saturday evening, as a decaying front slides southeast into the area. The NAM/SREF seem to be the only models interested in developing any precipitation across the area and this might be a bit overdone. Would not be surprised to see a few showers around but right now, nothing organized is expected. So will only have unmentionable PoPs right now. With a good deal of sunshine on Saturday, expecting highs in the mid to upper 80s area wide. On Sunday, depending on how far the aforementioned front makes it Saturday night, will depict where we might see some isolated showers or storms on Sunday afternoon in our far eastern sections (parts of southwest Indiana, and the Pennyrile region of west Kentucky). Otherwise, a pretty nice day is forecast as high pressure builds into the area and temperatures only reach the lower 80s. Humidity values will still be rather uncomfortable, but relief is on the way. Drier air will start to infiltrate the area Sunday night and we will soon be seeing dewpoints in the lower 60s. .LONG TERM...(Monday through Thursday) Issued at 238 AM CDT Fri Aug 14 2020 The medium range models were in good agreement in the extended forecast period, depicting a persistent amplified mid/upper flow pattern across the CONUS. The most unchanging feature appeared to be the large high pressure ridge out west. Faster northern stream flow will continue to skirt this ridge through the period, putting the PAH forecast area into northwesterly flow initially. By midweek though, mid level shortwave energy to the east of the ridge is forecast to split into northern and southern components. One particular trof is forecast to develop over the lower MS River valley, but with lower surface pressures further south, the likelihood of measurable pcpn in our region appears low, though it is hinted at by the deterministic models Tue/Wed. The only measurable pcpn suggested by the National Blend of Models was on Thu (Day 7), as moisture may surge northward, allowing limited development of showers and tstms in the Pennyrile region of KY in the heat of the day. While Mon will be quite tolerable with highs in the middle 80s, even more pleasant conditions are expected to settle in by mid week. Highs only around 80 and lows around 60 are forecast by Wed. && .AVIATION... Issued at 238 AM CDT Fri Aug 14 2020 Several terminals are already dealing with fog this morning ranging from MVFR to IFR or even lower. Scattered showers and storms rapidly developed across the KOWB/KEVV terminals and will continue for a few hours, resulting in lowered cigs/vsbys. Kept the mention of diurnal VCTS to KPAH, KOWB, KEVV for later today and into the afternoon. Weather should be quiet by this evening. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. MO...None. IN...None. KY...None. && SHORT TERM...CW LONG TERM...DB AVIATION...DRS/CW
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Paducah KY 311 AM CDT Fri Aug 14 2020 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-151000- 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- 311 AM CDT Fri Aug 14 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight There will be a chance of thunderstorms today into early this evening, especially across west Kentucky and southwest Indiana. Heavy rainfall which may cause localized flooding concerns as well as lightning will be the main hazards associated with this activity. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday There is a very small chance for thunderstorms across parts of southwest Indiana and the Pennyrile region of west Kentucky on Sunday afternoon. Brief heavy rain and lightning are the main hazards. Lastly, isolated thunderstorms are possible mainly across the Pennyrile region of KY on Thursday afternoon. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Water was over the roads in many locations across the county, however they were all passable.
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: 910528.