Hail and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, April 8, 2020

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, April 8, 2020
Start: 2020-04-08T18:09
End: 2020-04-08T20:05
Location: Kentucky

April 8, 2020 · NWS PAH · 10 events in 7 counties and zones

Severe thunderstorms occurred during the evening hours as a strong cold front moved southeast into the area. Surface low pressure moved across central Illinois during the late afternoon hours.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $20,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 10

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS PAH wrote it up.

Severe thunderstorms occurred during the evening hours as a strong cold front moved southeast into the area. Surface low pressure moved across central Illinois during the late afternoon hours. High temperatures soared into the mid 80's in many locations, which helped to prime the atmosphere for severe thunderstorm development. Surface-based instability was quite strong. Very cold air aloft contributed to steep mid-level lapse rates near 8 C/km, very favorable for large hail. Small clusters of thunderstorms moved east-southeast across western Kentucky. Large hail accompanied some of the storms, and a couple of wind damage reports were received.

What forecasters said that day

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 Apr 8, 6:00 PM CST, 9 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 8, 6:00 PM CST, 9 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Paducah KY
700 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

.UPDATE...
Issued at 700 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

Updated aviation discussion.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Friday night)
Issued at 318 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

The primary concern in the near term remains the period of
thunderstorms and potential for severe weather this evening. Our
focus then turns to gusty post frontal winds tonight, followed by
the potential for frost Thursday night and Friday night.

Low pressure over northwest Illinois this afternoon is forecast to
track east across Indiana this evening, dragging a strong cold
front across the forecast area through the evening. Strong forcing
along and ahead of the front in combination with a very unstable
atmosphere will result in the development of thunderstorms by late
afternoon and early evening. Latest CAM guidance suggests initial
development will be in the form of discrete cells or line segments
mainly across southeast Missouri and southern Illinois. The
activity should congeal into a squall line as it progresses east
southeast into southwest Indiana and western Kentucky through the
evening. Large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes will be
possible early on, with a transition to more of a damaging wind
threat as the activity becomes more linear and progresses across
the area. Given the steep mid level lapse rates, strong deep layer
shear, and substantial instability, very large hail and widespread
damaging winds are possible.

Most of the thunderstorm activity should be southeast of the area
by midnight, with a rapid decrease in cloud cover overnight. The
remainder of the short term period will be dry and much cooler as
Canadian high pressure builds southeast across the Plains into the
Mississippi Valley. In the wake of the front overnight, strong
gradient winds are possible, with sustained northwest winds of 15
to 25 mph and gusts of 30 to 40 mph. After highs in the 80s today,
highs on Thursday are only expected to reach the upper 50s and
lower 60s, followed by middle to upper 50s on Friday. Lows
Thursday night are forecast in the middle 30s. At this time, it
appears as though winds should stay elevated enough to mitigate
much in the way of frost development Thursday night. Will need to
monitor frost potential Friday night over portions of southwest
Indiana and the Kentucky Pennyrile if clouds are slow enough to
increase ahead of the next weather system.

.LONG TERM...(Saturday through Wednesday)
Issued at 350 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

Though light showers or sprinkles may occur Sat morning due to a
minor mid level disturbance, PoPs are expected to ramp up Sat night
and Sun as a low pressure system arrives from the southwestern
CONUS. There should be enough low level moisture advection ahead of
this system to produce nearly an inch of rainfall in the southern
Pennyrile region, and lesser amounts farther to the northwest. Tstms
are possible, especially during times of deepest moisture and lift
(late Sunday). There were some timing differences in the medium
range models with this system, but the best guess at this time is
that the nearly stacked system will be moving off toward the
northeast Sun night.

For the first half of next week, the PAH forecast area will be under
relatively cool cyclonic flow aloft and increasing surface pressure.
This pattern will tend to generate quite a bit of cloudiness at
times, but measurable pcpn does not appear likely at all. Perhaps
there may be some sprinkles as disturbances move through the flow
aloft. The NBM still tended to leave slight PoPs in the forecast Mon
and Tue, at least. This was blended with a small amount drier 12Z
ECMWF data. It may be cool enough for frost Wed morning (Day 7), if
clouds clear out enough.

&&

.AVIATION...
Issued at 700 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

Outside of tstms moving through the region in advance of a strong
cold front this evening, VFR conditions are expected. The storms
will likely result in a reduction in ceilings and visibilities to at
least MVFR for an hour or so at each terminal, along with the
potential for strong to severe wind gusts and large hail.
South/southwest winds 10-15 knots will shift to the northwest 10 to
20 knots with some gusts pushing 30 knots tonight. Northwest winds
will subside somewhat on Thursday, but will remain gusty.

&&

.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...None.
MO...None.
IN...None.
KY...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...RJP
LONG TERM...DB
AVIATION...RJP/DB

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 8, 2:35 AM CST, 15 hours 34 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
335 AM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-090845-
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-
335 AM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

...Potential Outbreak Of Severe Thunderstorms Very Late Today and
Tonight...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

The potential for an outbreak of severe thunderstorms has
increased, mainly during the evening hours. Scattered
thunderstorms are forecast to move into southern Illinois and
southeast Missouri very late this afternoon or early this evening.
The storms are forecast to become numerous as they move east-
southeast across the entire region this evening.

Conditions will be favorable for large hail, possibly golf ball
size in the strongest storms. Locally damaging winds and a few
tornadoes will be possible. The Storm Prediction Center has placed
our region within an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms.

Locally heavy rain could result in isolated flooding problems
apart from the ongoing river flooding. Refer to flood statements
for ongoing minor to moderate flooding on the Mississippi and
lower Ohio Rivers.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

A small chance of thunderstorms is forecast over much of the region
late Saturday night through Sunday evening. Locally heavy rainfall
and lightning will be the primary concerns.

Minor to moderate flooding will persist on the Mississippi and
lower Ohio Rivers.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be requested this evening.

MY/DRS

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 8, 5:40 PM CST, 29 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
640 PM CDT WED APR 8 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0639 PM     HAIL             UNIONTOWN               37.62N 89.71W
04/08/2020  M1.00 INCH       PERRY              MO   EMERGENCY MNGR

&&

Local storm report, Apr 8, 5:46 PM CST, 23 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
646 PM CDT WED APR 8 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0645 PM     HAIL             SIKESTON                36.88N 89.58W
04/08/2020  M1.00 INCH       SCOTT              MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

Local storm report, Apr 8, 5:52 PM CST, 17 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
652 PM CDT WED APR 8 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0649 PM     HAIL             CAIRO                   37.00N 89.18W
04/08/2020  M0.70 INCH       ALEXANDER          IL   BROADCAST MEDIA

&&

DWS

Local storm report, Apr 8, 5:53 PM CST, 16 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
653 PM CDT WED APR 8 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0650 PM     HAIL             2 W BERTRAND            36.91N 89.49W
04/08/2020  M1.00 INCH       SCOTT              MO   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

Local storm report, Apr 8, 5:54 PM CST, 15 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
654 PM CDT WED APR 8 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0650 PM     HAIL             4 N MINER               36.95N 89.54W
04/08/2020  E1.50 INCH       SCOTT              MO   PUBLIC

            REPORT FROM MPING: PING PONG BALL (1.50
            IN.).

&&

Local storm report, Apr 8, 5:55 PM CST, 14 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
655 PM CDT WED APR 8 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0646 PM     HAIL             8 W GRANDIN             36.80N 90.97W
04/08/2020  E1.00 INCH       RIPLEY             MO   PUBLIC

            REPORT FROM MPING: QUARTER (1.00 IN.).

&&

DWS

The radar

The Paducah radar (KPAH), 31 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:07 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

7 hail, 3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Carlisle

When: April 8, 6:09 PM CST
Where: Carlisle County, Bardwell
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.870, -89.020

Hail, Graves

When: April 8, 6:43 PM CST
Where: Graves County, 3 mi S of Mayfield
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.687, -88.630

Hail, Calloway

When: April 8, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Calloway County, Lynn Grove
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.600, -88.430

Hail, Calloway

When: April 8, 7:07 PM CST to 7:19 PM CST
Where: Calloway County, Murray to 3 mi SW of Murray
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.620, -88.320

A severe thunderstorm produced large hail in and around Murray. The hail ranged from quarter to ping-pong ball size.

Hail, Caldwell

When: April 8, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Caldwell County, Princeton
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.120, -87.870

Hail, Christian

When: April 8, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Christian County, Hopkinsville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.850, -87.480

Hail, Christian

When: April 8, 7:57 PM CST
Where: Christian County, 1.31 mi WSW of Oak Grove
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.660, -87.450

Thunderstorm Wind, Henderson

When: April 8, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Henderson County, 2.21 mi NE of Robards
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 37.688, -87.516

Power poles were snapped just northeast of Robards near the interchange of Interstate 69 and Kentucky 416.

Thunderstorm Wind, Todd

When: April 8, 8:05 PM CST
Where: Todd County, 2 mi NE of Trenton to 4 mi NE of Trenton
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.740, -87.245

Part of a barn was blown onto a road two miles northeast of Trenton. A wind gust to 63 mph was measured at the Kentucky mesonet site four miles northeast of Trenton.

Thunderstorm Wind, Todd

When: April 8, 8:05 PM CST
Where: Todd County, 4 mi NE of Trenton
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 36.761, -87.219

A wind gust to 63 mph was measured at the Kentucky mesonet site.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kentucky in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history Warnings in Kentucky, April 2020

Sources

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: 875765, 875766, 875767, 875768, 875771, 875772, 875773, 875774, 875776, 875777.