While scattered thunderstorms developed early this evening, only one became strong enough to produce any damage. This came by way of a downed tree near Jackson as a thunderstorm briefly intensified.
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 JKL wrote it up.
While scattered thunderstorms developed early this evening, only one became strong enough to produce any damage. This came by way of a downed tree near Jackson as a thunderstorm briefly intensified.
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 Jackson, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 23, 3:56 PM EST, 1 hour 54 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Jackson KY 456 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Sunday night) Issued at 435 PM EDT SAT MAY 23 2020 Late this afternoon an upper level ridge extended from the southeastern Conus into the Appalachians to lower Great Lakes region. Meanwhile an upper level trough is moving from the upper midwest toward the western Great Lakes. Weak shortwave ridging is in place from the Arklatex region north through portions of the Plains. At the surface, a weak warm front is lifting north across the region and currently resides near the northern and eastern portions of East KY. Scattered convection is currently occurring across the entire region. The strongest storm that occurred in Knox County produced some half inch size hail. The initial challenge is the convection occurring with daytime heating as a weak disturbance moves through the Lower OH Valley. Recent mesoanalysis indicates that MLCAPE has reached 500 to 1000 J/kg across much of the area with MLCAPE about 1500 J/kg from I 75 and west. Mid level lapse rates remain quite meager in the 5.5 to 6C/km while low level lapse rates are generally 6.5 to around 7 C/km. MUCAPE in the southwest portion of the area is near or slightly over 2000 J/kg. Bulk and effective shear are generally under 20KT and a limiting factor to storm organization so storms through this evening will remain more pulse type in nature though shear is slightly better in the north 20 to 25kt so storms there could be more linear in nature. Small hail and some wind gusts will be possible with any convections this evening along with lighting being the main threats. The convection should wane around or shortly after sunset with the loss of daytime heating given the lower end shear. Convection may linger a bit longer past sunset along the western and northern portions of the area. Clouds should scatter tonight and valley fog will be a threat and some fog will develop near where heavier rain occurs. Lows tonight should be mild, in the low to mid 60s. The shortwave trough will pass north and northwest of the area as it moves into the Great Lakes and weakens while the upper level ridge axis is expected from the Bahamas and Hispaniola area northwest into the Central Appalachians. The upper level flow will become more southerly late tonight and into Sunday with the ridge axis remaining generally just east of the area through the end of the period. At the surface, a surface low will reach The Great Lakes tonight with the trail warm front becoming moving east of the area by Sunday and becoming somewhat diffuse. Although convection cannot be ruled out late tonight or even on Sunday night, coverage of convection should again peak on Sunday. Weak shear and warm temperature aloft will be limiting factors to organization and intensity. Temperatures will moderate further into the mid 80s for highs with dewpoints well into the 60s resulting in rather humid conditions. Valley fog is anticipated as clouds again scatter out on Sunday night as convection wanes around or near sunset. Lows will again be mild in the 60s. .LONG TERM...(Monday through Saturday) Issued at 300 PM EDT SAT MAY 23 2020 More of the same is expected in the extended period of the forecast. Diurnally driven showers and storms are on tap each day through the end of the upcoming work week, as warm, moist, and unstable air off the Gulf of Mexico is advected into the Ohio and Tennessee valley regions, on the western periphery of the subtropical high. This ridge is currently parked over the southeastern CONUS. Coverage of showers and storms should be isolated to scattered, as due to the lack of a focused triggering mechanism. The afternoon and early evening hours will see the best chances for both precipitation and thunderstorms. Warm and muggy conditions will also be present, with daily highs in the 80s and nightly lows in the 60s on tap for eastern Kentucky. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Sunday morning) ISSUED AT 714 AM EDT SAT MAY 23 2020 As the sun rises, fog is starting to lift and dissipate, and showers are starting to ramp up across eastern KY. Generally scattered coverage is ongoing between KJKL to KSJS and points SE. Expect isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, under generally VFR to, at times, MVFR conditions. Any shower or storm that impacts a TAF site could briefly lower the VIS and CIGs from the prevailing conditions. Until things really get going during the day, the exact impacts and timing at each TAF site are still a bit uncertain. This convection will be diurnally driven, and will begin to dissipate heading into the overnight hours. As heights increase aloft overnight, and skies scatter out at times, can't rule out some additional fog development. Winds will be generally be light during the period, under 10 kts. && .JKL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SHORT TERM...JP LONG TERM...AR AVIATION...JMW
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson KY 428 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020 KYZ044-050>052-058>060-068-069-079-080-083>088-104-106>120-242330- Fleming-Montgomery-Bath-Rowan-Estill-Powell-Menifee-Rockcastle- Jackson-Pulaski-Laurel-Wayne-McCreary-Whitley-Knox-Bell-Harlan- Elliott-Morgan-Johnson-Wolfe-Magoffin-Floyd-Lee-Breathitt-Knott- Owsley-Perry-Clay-Leslie-Letcher-Martin-Pike- Including the cities of Flemingsburg, Camargo, Jeffersonville, Mount Sterling, Owingsville, Morehead, Irvine, Ravenna, Clay City, Stanton, Frenchburg, Brodhead, Mount Vernon, McKee, Annville, Burnside, Somerset, London, Monticello, Stearns, Whitley City, Corbin, Williamsburg, Barbourville, Middlesboro, Pineville, Cumberland, Harlan, Sandy Hook, West Liberty, Paintsville, Campton, Salyersville, Prestonsburg, Wheelwright, Beattyville, Jackson, Hindman, Pippa Passes, Booneville, Hazard, Manchester, Hyden, Jenkins, Whitesburg, Inez, Coal Run, Elkhorn City, Pikeville, and South Williamson 428 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern Kentucky. .DAY ONE...This evening and tonight. Thunderstorms will be possible through this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Thunderstorms will be possible at times from Sunday through Friday, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours each day. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. JP
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
509 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020
KYZ116-232145-
Clay-
509 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL CLAY COUNTY...
At 509 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Littleton, or
over Manchester, moving northeast at 20 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Manchester, Seth, Enline, Treadway, Wild Cat, Barcreek, Hima,
Chestnutburg, Herron, Spurlock, Peabody, Thomas, Hensley, Jacks
Creek, Bernice, Sextons Creek, Sacker Gap, Hector, Teges and Boho.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
LAT...LON 3716 8385 3735 8378 3723 8353 3720 8351
3716 8356 3708 8375
TIME...MOT...LOC 2109Z 225DEG 16KT 3718 8374
KASSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service JACKSON KY 520 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020 KYZ069-080-116-232145- Jackson-Clay-Laurel- 520 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL LAUREL...SOUTH CENTRAL JACKSON AND WEST CENTRAL CLAY COUNTIES... At 520 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Atlanta, or near London, moving northeast at 15 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... London, Pittsburg, Langnau, Fogertown, Mcwhorter, Atlanta, Benge, Deese, Victory, Green Hill, Moores Creek, Royrader, East Bernstadt, Maplesville, Hare, Cornelius, Carmichael, Peoples, Sublimity City and Crawford. If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. LAT...LON 3707 8406 3721 8419 3735 8401 3722 8388 TIME...MOT...LOC 2120Z 224DEG 13KT 3722 8404 KAS
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
524 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020
KYZ058-068-069-232200-
Jackson-Estill-Rockcastle-
524 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN ESTILL...
NORTHWESTERN JACKSON AND NORTHEASTERN ROCKCASTLE COUNTIES...
At 523 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Morrill, or 13
miles northwest of McKee, moving northeast at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Boone, Morrill, Kings Station, Kerby Knob, Blackburn, Clover Bottom,
Hisel, Climax, Jinks, Winston, Disputanta, Alcorn, Shirley, Locust
Branch, Blanton Flats, Witt, Noland, Fainville, Alger and Combs.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
LAT...LON 3753 8430 3752 8430 3751 8427 3752 8420
3756 8416 3757 8409 3765 8413 3767 8409
3768 8410 3774 8410 3774 8408 3757 8394
3743 8428 3753 8433
TIME...MOT...LOC 2123Z 238DEG 24KT 3755 8419
KASSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
603 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020
KYZ069-111-114-232230-
Jackson-Lee-Owsley-
603 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHERN OWSLEY...EAST CENTRAL
JACKSON AND SOUTHERN LEE COUNTIES...
At 603 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Earnestville,
or 8 miles west of Booneville, moving northeast at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Beattyville, Booneville, Turin, Travellers Rest, White Ash, Grass,
Chestnut Gap, Earnestville, Elian, Scoville, Ida May, Delvinta,
Lerose, Stay, Maloney, New Zion, Vincent, Proctor, Endee and Levi.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
LAT...LON 3741 8389 3749 8392 3762 8369 3751 8357
3749 8358 3749 8357 3748 8357 3736 8379
TIME...MOT...LOC 2203Z 238DEG 23KT 3749 8383
KASSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service JACKSON KY 613 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020 KYZ088-113-115-118-232245- Perry-Knott-Harlan-Letcher- 613 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN HARLAN...CENTRAL LETCHER...EAST CENTRAL PERRY AND SOUTH CENTRAL KNOTT COUNTIES... At 613 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Hallie, or 11 miles west of Whitesburg, moving northeast at 15 mph. Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Whitesburg, Letcher, Bath, Cumberland, Benham, Blackey, Cody, Oscaloosa, Van, Carr Creek, Isom, Premium, Trailer, Kingdom Come S.P., Redfox, Clutts, Maggard, Arminta, Smithsboro and Jeremiah. If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. LAT...LON 3695 8298 3713 8311 3729 8294 3707 8277 TIME...MOT...LOC 2213Z 233DEG 14KT 3710 8302 KAS
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service JACKSON KY 628 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020 KYZ108-111-112-114-232300- Lee-Breathitt-Owsley-Wolfe- 628 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020 ...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN OWSLEY... NORTHWESTERN BREATHITT...SOUTHEASTERN LEE AND SOUTH CENTRAL WOLFE COUNTIES... At 628 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were clustered over Athol, or near Beattyville, moving northeast at 25 mph. Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Jackson, Simpson, Fillmore, Grass, Pence, Copebranch, Noctor, Vancleve, Moct, Wilhurst, War Creek, Vada, Elkatawa, Inverness, Tallega, Lane, Sewell, Haddix, Taulbee and Enoch. If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. LAT...LON 3742 8337 3753 8374 3771 8346 3758 8316 TIME...MOT...LOC 2228Z 245DEG 21KT 3754 8359 KAS
The Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 9 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:47 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A trained spotter observed a downed tree on Wolverine Road near Jackson.
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, May 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: 882886.