A cold front was pushing across eastern KY during the afternoon and evening hours on June 13th. Ahead of this front, a warm and moist airmass provided the perfect environment for thunderstorms to develop.
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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.
A cold front was pushing across eastern KY during the afternoon and evening hours on June 13th. Ahead of this front, a warm and moist airmass provided the perfect environment for thunderstorms to develop. These thunderstorms produced damaging wind gusts and small hail, with numerous reports of trees being blown down as they rolled through.
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 Jun 13, 4:30 PM EST, 1 hour 14 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED National Weather Service Jackson KY 530 PM EDT Sun Jun 13 2021 .UPDATE... Issued at 530 PM EDT SUN JUN 13 2021 Updated the near term grids with the addition of the watch and some adjustments to the PoPs along with current obs and trends. We are mostly concerned with the area of high DCAPE - supporting the potential for severe wind gusts - in the far eastern parts of the CWA where the current storms, or newer spawned cells, will likely move into as they drop south with the front. These grid updates have been sent to the NDFD and web servers along with fresh issuances of the ZFP, HWO, WCN, and SAF. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Monday night) Issued at 450 PM EDT SUN JUN 13 2021 20Z sfc analysis shows the weak cold front slipping into eastern Kentucky accompanied by a cluster of strong thunderstorms. These storms will have plenty of instability to work with, but the CAPE in the soundings are rather skinny as the mid levels are relatively warm. However, the SPC mesoanalysis indicates that plenty DCAPE is available for downdrafts from the stronger storms. Accordingly, the entire area remains in a marginal risk for severe storms with damaging wind gusts the main concern. A secondary concern will also be the torrential rains that the storms are capable of producing given the high PW air mass - though they appear to be progressive so far limiting the flash flood risk. Otherwise, under mostly sunny skies, temperatures have climbed into the mid and upper 80s across the area while dewpoints are still quite elevated in the upper 60s to low 70s. Winds, so far, have been rather light across eastern Kentucky this afternoon - away from any of the storms just entering the northwest parts of the CWA. The models are mostly in good agreement aloft through the short term portion of the forecast. They all depict eastern Kentucky in northwest, diffluent flow into Monday east of a strong ridge over the Four Corners Region and ahead of a sharpening trough digging southeast through the Great Lakes. This trough plunges through the Ohio Valley later Monday and Monday night with a core of energy and falling heights for eastern Kentucky. The model spread widens Monday night with the descent of this trough as the GFS and NAM are stronger than the ECMWF. Despite this, have favored the NBM as the starting point for the grids with a strong lean on the CAMs consensus and radar trends for near term PoP and Wx details. Sensible weather will feature a likely stormy end of the day and start to the night. The convection with the front will steadily progress south during the evening - followed by drying and clearing overnight. This will probably support the development of (dense) valley fog again tonight - spreading elsewhere by dawn. Also, expect a small ridge to valley split to the temperatures tonight as better radiational cooling conditions overcome any weak CAA. That may not be the case Monday night as a mostly dry, but stronger, cold front pushes through the CWA after midnight. This follows a dry, quiet, and mostly sunny Monday with temperatures again reaching the mid and upper 80s. The front that night will have better CAA keeping the boundary layer turbulent and not so prone to fog development or large ridge to valley distinctions. Made some small adjustment to temperatures from the NBM tonight and to a lesser extent on Monday night for terrain distinctions. As for PoPs, the main adjustments to the hourly NBM PPI grids were to better time the threat through the evening based on radar trends and CAMs consensus. .LONG TERM...(Tuesday through Sunday) Issued at 405 PM EDT SUN JUN 13 2021 We begin Tuesday under the influence of a large trough covering most of the eastern CONUS. A strong ridge dominates the central part of the country while another wave moves into the Pacific Northwest. At the surface, our area stays dry behind a system that moved through the area before the start of the period. Wednesday, a shortwave will move over the region through the broader flow. Generally, model runs have been trending drier with less available moisture. Ensembles as well are mainly dry. Overall, the most likely impact from this wave will be an increase in clouds. With a cooler airmass in place, temperatures will be lower than what was seen over the weekend. Highs Tuesday will be in the upper 70s to around 80, while overnight lows will be in the mid to upper 50s. Wednesday is likely even cooler in the mid 70s. Wednesday night, the upper level wave will have passed, and at the surface high pressure moves into the region. Overnight lows will be cool in the low 50s, with a few locations potentially dipping down into the 40s, particularly down in the valleys. Thursday is expected to stay dry and mostly sunny under the surface high and rising heights aloft, as well as warm slightly with highs back in the upper 70s. By late in the week and into the beginning of the weekend, an amplifying wave moving east across the northern tier of the country is expected to impact the area as it supports a system and its associated cold front at the surface. This will bring our next decent chance of showers and storms to east Kentucky. As the front looks to slow, rain has the potential to stick around through the remainder of the weekend. Overall, there's fair agreement over the general pattern, but some details, like timing specifically, are still uncertain. Because of this, stayed near the NBM solution of having precip enter the area from the northwest late Friday. Temperatures over the weekend will likely range from the low to mid 80s for highs and low to mid 60s for lows. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Monday afternoon) ISSUED AT 200 PM EDT SUN JUN 13 2021 A cold front will drop south through the area later this afternoon and evening. Initially with this there will be a threat for a few showers and storms, possibly strong or severe, before the front pushes on through followed by a wind shift to the northwest. Locally dense fog will again lead to reduced visibilities and some ceilings down into the IFR/LIFR categories late tonight into Monday morning. The fog will then gradually clear fairly quickly after sunrise with conditions returning to VFR by 14z Monday. Winds will remain around or less than 5 knots through the period - away from any storms. && .JKL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && UPDATE...GREIF SHORT TERM...GREIF LONG TERM...HAS AVIATION...KAS/GREIF
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Jackson KY 510 PM EDT Sun Jun 13 2021 KYZ044-050>052-058>060-068-069-079-080-083>088-106-108-109- 111>118-150015- Fleming-Montgomery-Bath-Rowan-Estill-Powell-Menifee-Rockcastle- Jackson-Pulaski-Laurel-Wayne-McCreary-Whitley-Knox-Bell-Harlan- Morgan-Wolfe-Magoffin-Lee-Breathitt-Knott-Owsley-Perry-Clay- Leslie-Letcher- 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, West Liberty, Campton, Salyersville, Beattyville, Jackson, Hindman, Pippa Passes, Booneville, Hazard, Manchester, Hyden, Jenkins, and Whitesburg 510 PM EDT Sun Jun 13 2021 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected to affect the area into the evening. The stronger storms could contain strong wind gusts, frequent cloud to ground lightning, and torrential rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Thunderstorms are possible Friday and again on Saturday, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. KYZ104-107-110-119-120-150015- Elliott-Johnson-Floyd-Martin-Pike- Including the cities of Sandy Hook, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, Wheelwright, Inez, Coal Run, Elkhorn City, Pikeville, and South Williamson 510 PM EDT Sun Jun 13 2021 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 267 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Numerous strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to affect the area into the evening. The strongest of these storms could contain damaging wind gusts, hail, frequent cloud to ground lightning, and torrential rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Thunderstorms are possible Friday and again on Saturday, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report and storm damage or high water issues through this evening. GREIF/HAS
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
330 PM EDT Sun Jun 13 2021
KYZ044-050-051-132000-
Montgomery-Bath-Fleming-
330 PM EDT Sun Jun 13 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHERN MONTGOMERY...BATH AND
SOUTH CENTRAL FLEMING COUNTIES...
At 329 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Sharpsburg, or
11 miles northwest of Mount Sterling, moving east at 35 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Owingsville, Marshall, Sharpsburg, Preston, Reynoldsville, Wyoming,
Sideview, Peasticks, Olympia Springs, Flat Creek, Odessa, Stepstone,
Bourbon Furnace, Pebble, Slate Valley, Crooks, Bethel, Polksville,
Stoops and Oakley.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3829 8359 3820 8361 3819 8364 3818 8362
3802 8365 3802 8367 3811 8408 3814 8406
3817 8399 3819 8398 3830 8385
TIME...MOT...LOC 1929Z 279DEG 29KT 3822 8405
GREIFSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
353 PM EDT Sun Jun 13 2021
KYZ044-051-052-132045-
Rowan-Bath-Fleming-
353 PM EDT Sun Jun 13 2021
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN BATH...
FLEMING AND NORTH CENTRAL ROWAN COUNTIES...
At 353 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were clustered near Nepton, or 7
miles northwest of Flemingsburg, moving southeast at 20 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Flemingsburg, Sharpsburg, Fairview, Pecks Ridge, Pebble, Muses Mills,
Wallingford, Bethel, Foxport, Oakley, Mount Carmel, Nepton, Tilton,
Ringos Mills, Hillsboro, Craintown, Sherburne, Plummers Landing,
Cowan and Poplar Plains.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3849 8359 3843 8358 3840 8348 3838 8345
3840 8341 3834 8336 3833 8336 3817 8398
3832 8384 3836 8388 3835 8390 3837 8390
3836 8392 3842 8395 3844 8398 3849 8393
3846 8385 3852 8366
TIME...MOT...LOC 1953Z 313DEG 17KT 3849 8385
GREIFSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
626 PM EDT Sun Jun 13 2021
KYZ058-069-114-132300-
Jackson-Estill-Owsley-
626 PM EDT Sun Jun 13 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN OWSLEY...
SOUTHWESTERN ESTILL AND JACKSON COUNTIES...
At 626 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Brazil, or 7
miles northwest of McKee, moving southeast at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch diameter hail are possible
with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
McKee, Morrill, Turkey Foot, Olin, Kerby Knob, Shop Branch, Waneta,
Privett, Bradshaw, Earnestville, Clover Bottom, Jinks, Brazil,
Hurley, Shirley, Sandgap, Deese, Blanton Flats, New Zion and Vincent.
LAT...LON 3753 8420 3756 8417 3756 8409 3760 8410
3764 8404 3755 8390 3754 8391 3750 8385
3749 8380 3747 8377 3729 8403 3749 8420
TIME...MOT...LOC 2226Z 315DEG 20KT 3752 8404
HALSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
627 PM EDT Sun Jun 13 2021
KYZ058-069-114-132300-
Jackson-Estill-Owsley-
627 PM EDT Sun Jun 13 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN OWSLEY...
SOUTHWESTERN ESTILL AND JACKSON COUNTIES...
At 626 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Brazil, or 7
miles northwest of McKee, moving southeast at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch diameter hail are possible
with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
McKee, Morrill, Turkey Foot, Olin, Kerby Knob, Shop Branch, Waneta,
Privett, Bradshaw, Earnestville, Clover Bottom, Jinks, Brazil,
Hurley, Shirley, Sandgap, Deese, Blanton Flats, New Zion and Vincent.
LAT...LON 3753 8420 3756 8417 3756 8409 3760 8410
3764 8404 3755 8390 3754 8391 3750 8385
3749 8380 3747 8377 3729 8403 3749 8420
TIME...MOT...LOC 2226Z 315DEG 20KT 3752 8404
HALSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
629 PM EDT Sun Jun 13 2021
KYZ119-120-132315-
Martin-Pike-
629 PM EDT Sun Jun 13 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT MARTIN AND NORTH CENTRAL PIKE
COUNTIES...
At 628 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Wells, or near
Inez, moving southeast at 35 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Inez, Warfield, Beauty, Add, Tomahawk, Pilgrim, Coalpoint, Davella,
Whitepost, Hode, Conder, Piso, Prince, Calf Creek, Delong, McClure,
Milo, Job, Lovely and Preece.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3757 8247 3786 8265 3789 8260 3792 8260
3795 8258 3796 8253 3794 8249 3794 8250
3790 8247 3791 8247 3788 8242 3781 8240
3782 8239 3776 8233 3776 8231 3774 8233
3770 8230
TIME...MOT...LOC 2228Z 314DEG 28KT 3791 8260
GREIFThe Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 68 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:41 UTC.
11 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A report was received of a tree blown down on north Route 421 near the community of Sandgap in Jackson County.
A tree was blown down on Kelly Road near the Privett Community.
A tree was reported as being blown down near the Greenmount Community.
Multiple trees were reported being blown down in this location near the Pittsburg Community, taking power lines down with them.
Numerous trees were reported being blown down in the city of London, taking down power lines with them.
Multiple trees were blown down on Ward Cemetery Road between London and Corbin.
A tree was blown down along South U.S. Hwy 25 near the Hopewell Community.
A member of the public reported half inch hail as the storms moved through near the community of Phelps.
A tree was blown down onto a house along Corinth Cemetery Road.
A tree was reported down along Hightop Road southwest of Corbin.
A tree was blown down onto a house along Corinth Cemetery Road.
A member of the public reported half inch size hail and a wind gust of 44 mph as well as storms moved through.
A section of Sunshine Hill Road was reported to be partially underwater/flooded in London.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, June 2021
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: 954578, 954579, 954580, 954581, 954582, 954583, 954584, 954585, 954586, 954587, 954588, 957838, 954589, 954590.