With zonal flow over the country and high temperatures in the 90s, multiple weak surface fronts help to produce afternoon and evening storms during diurnal heating. These storms produced strong winds, hail, and heavy rainfall that resulted in wind damage and flash flooding across the region.
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.
With zonal flow over the country and high temperatures in the 90s, multiple weak surface fronts help to produce afternoon and evening storms during diurnal heating. These storms produced strong winds, hail, and heavy rainfall that resulted in wind damage and flash flooding across the region.
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 Jul 5, 2:07 PM EST, 1 hour 20 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Louisville KY 307 PM EDT Sun Jul 5 2020 .Short Term...(This evening through Monday) Issued at 255 PM EDT Sun Jul 5 2020 Another hot and humid day across the region as temperatures have warmed into the lower 90s with dewpoints in the upper 60s to lower 70s. Scattered showers and storms have been popping up over southern KY, where deeper moisture and PWATs in the 1.7-2.0 inch range are located. Within these storms, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall are being observed. Scattered convection will continue through the early evening before diminishing towards sunset. Expect another mild night tonight, with overnight temperatures remaining in the lower 70s. Tomorrow will then feature much of the same, with high temperatures warming into the upper 80s to lower 90s. Afternoon convection will be possible across a greater area as compared to today as deeper moisture spreads northward and the higher PWATs push north of the Ohio River. The environment will once again be characterized by moderate instability (SBCAPE of 2000-3000 J/kg) and weak shear. Main threats with storms will continue to be the potential for torrential rainfall, frequent lightning, and gusty winds. && .Long Term...(Monday night through Sunday) Issued at 245 PM EDT Sun Jul 5 2020 A stagnant summer weather pattern will prevail most of the week. With a tropical air mass and the westerlies remaining well to our north, there will be plenty of moisture and instability, but weak capping and next to no shear. We'll see hot and increasingly humid days, very warm and muggy nights, and scattered thunderstorms developing each afternoon. Weak flow will provide no organization for the storms, but they will be slow movers capable of producing very heavy rainfall and localized flooding. The pattern does become a little more amplified on Friday, with a trof digging into the eastern CONUS and ridging over the Rockies, so that will be our best chance for widespread precip. Will carry a likely POP on Friday and continue at least a chance through the nighttime hours. Ridging will start to win out over the weekend, allowing for a downward trend in POPs Sat into Sun, but can't take them out completely given NW flow aloft. && .Aviation...(18Z TAF Issuance) Issued at 130 PM EDT Sun Jul 5 2020 Mostly sunny skies being observed across much of the region this afternoon, with some storms beginning to pop-up along the KY/TN border. Generally expect storms to stay across south-central KY, so have only included mention of TS at BWG through the afternoon and evening hours, with coverage expected to decrease towards sunset. Winds will remain light throughout the period, with potential for fog again overnight. Scattered showers and storms will return Monday afternoon. && .LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IN...None. KY...None. && Short Term...JML Long Term...RAS Aviation...JML
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Louisville KY 326 PM EDT Sun Jul 5 2020 INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067- 070>078-081-082-061930- 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 326 PM EDT Sun Jul 5 2020 /226 PM CDT Sun Jul 5 2020/ This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central Indiana and Central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are possible through this evening, mainly south of the parkways. Main threats are heavy rainfall and frequent lightning, with potential for gusty winds in the strongest storms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Scattered afternoon thunderstorms will be possible each day. Main hazards will be isolated heavy rainfall, locally gusty winds, and frequent lightning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. JML/RAS
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
352 PM EDT Sun Jul 5 2020
KYZ066-077-052015-
Casey-Adair-
352 PM EDT Sun Jul 5 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WEST CENTRAL CASEY AND
NORTHEASTERN ADAIR COUNTIES...
At 352 PM EDT/252 PM CDT/, a strong thunderstorm was located 8 miles
west of Liberty. The storm is nearly stationary.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Casey Creek, Bass, Atterson, Clementsville, Rheber, Speck, Creston
and Feathersburg.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3727 8520 3729 8518 3731 8519 3731 8517
3733 8515 3735 8514 3732 8495 3724 8501
TIME...MOT...LOC 1952Z 211DEG 3KT 3729 8509
DMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
252 PM CDT Sun Jul 5 2020
KYZ076-052030-
Metcalfe-
252 PM CDT Sun Jul 5 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN METCALFE COUNTY...
At 252 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Edmonton. The
storm is nearly stationary.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Center, Knob Lick, Clarks Corner, Beechville, Cork and Node.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3705 8575 3716 8571 3715 8566 3712 8563
3711 8553 3707 8552 3703 8555
TIME...MOT...LOC 1952Z 211DEG 3KT 3707 8564
DMSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Louisville KY 258 PM CDT Sun Jul 5 2020 KYZ071-073-052015- Warren-Allen- 258 PM CDT Sun Jul 5 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN ALLEN AND SOUTH CENTRAL WARREN COUNTIES... At 258 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 7 miles southeast of Three Springs. The storm is nearly stationary. Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Boyce, Alvaton, Allen Springs and Raley Ford. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. LAT...LON 3680 8631 3681 8639 3690 8638 3688 8625 TIME...MOT...LOC 1958Z 211DEG 3KT 3684 8634 DM
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Louisville KY 401 PM EDT Sun Jul 5 2020 KYZ054-065-052030- Marion-Taylor- 401 PM EDT Sun Jul 5 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTH CENTRAL MARION AND NORTH CENTRAL TAYLOR COUNTIES... At 401 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Campbellsville. The storm is nearly stationary. Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Campbellsville, Taylor County Airport, Phillipsburg, Arista and Spurlington. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. LAT...LON 3732 8535 3737 8542 3749 8528 3743 8519 TIME...MOT...LOC 2001Z 211DEG 3KT 3741 8529 DM
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
314 PM CDT Sun Jul 5 2020
KYZ061-070>073-052045-
Warren-Logan-Simpson-Allen-Butler-
314 PM CDT Sun Jul 5 2020
...A CLUSTER OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT EASTERN LOGAN...
SIMPSON...WESTERN ALLEN...SOUTH CENTRAL BUTLER AND SOUTHERN WARREN
COUNTIES...
At 313 PM CDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along an area extending from near Russellville to near Scottsville.
Movement was north around 5 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Bowling Green, Russellville, Crestmoor, Memphis Junction, Mount
Victor, Auburn, Woodburn, Hardcastle, Black Jack and Rich Pond.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3665 8659 3665 8666 3679 8692 3707 8676
3695 8622 3664 8623 3665 8651 3664 8654
3664 8655 3663 8656
TIME...MOT...LOC 2013Z 164DEG 15KT 3692 8683 3674 8628
DMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
419 PM EDT Sun Jul 5 2020
KYZ066-052045-
Casey-
419 PM EDT Sun Jul 5 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTH CENTRAL CASEY COUNTY...
At 419 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Cains Store,
moving north at 10 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Evona, Windsor, Phil, Teddy and Labascus.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3711 8497 3717 8503 3725 8490 3716 8484
3711 8492 3710 8494 3710 8495
TIME...MOT...LOC 2019Z 165DEG 10KT 3714 8495
DMThe Louisville radar (KLVX), 83 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:25 UTC.
23 thunderstorm wind, 3 hail, 3 flash flood, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Numerous trees and power lines were down on Pitman Valley Road near Highway 744. A person was trapped in a vehicle.
A metal roof was blown off of a building at the intersection of Pitman Valley Road and Finley Ridge Road.
A tree and barn were damaged.
Power lines were down on Bowman Trail Road.
Power lines were blown down on a porch and truck on Dixon Street.
A picture of quarter size hail posted on social media.
A tree blew down on Sunbeam Road.
There were multiple reports of flooded roadways across Larue County. One road was Brooks Road near Buffalo.
Water washed out a culvert under Tug Howard Road near Highway 401. Replacement costs are unknown.
There was water flowing over Millerstown Road and Highway 224 near Clarkson, Kentucky.
A tree was down at the intersection of Drennan and New Cut Road.
A tree was reported down on the 1900 block of Deer Park.
A large tree was split near the intersection of Smyrna and Outer Loop.
There were trees down on Highway 80 near Windsor.
There were trees down on Highway 49 and Highway 70.
A large tree fell on a deck and pool.
The emergency manager reported trees and two flagpoles were blown down in the storm.
A tree blew down on power lines and a parked vehicle on Whitney Avenue.
Trees blew down on power lines.
It was reported that trees were down along Goose Creek Road.
Several large tree limbs were down on Springbrooke Circle.
There was flash flooding in the Ten Broeck subdivision near Highway 22 and Ten Broeck Way.
A large tree fell and was blocking Old Frankfort Pike.
A tree blew down near the Old Capitol parking structure of Kentucky 420.
There was a report of a tree down.
Trees were down on Devils Hollow Road.
A transformer was sparking due to a tree down on Reilly Road.
There was a tree down near the Thornhill Bypass.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, July 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: 913361, 913362, 913364, 913365, 913366, 913359, 913776, 913360, 913367, 913777, 908084, 913357, 913368, 913369, 913370, 913371, 913385, 913386, 913398, 913399, 913400, 913401, 913402, 913358, 913405, 913406, 913409, 913411, 913412, 913414.