A very warm air mass with rich low-level moisture and fairly dry mid-levels was in place over eastern Kentucky. With little in the way of capping, showers and storms quickly blossomed toward midday, especially near the I-64 corridor where an outflow, the lone remnants of an upstream storm cluster, likely provided the trigger.
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.
A very warm air mass with rich low-level moisture and fairly dry mid-levels was in place over eastern Kentucky. With little in the way of capping, showers and storms quickly blossomed toward midday, especially near the I-64 corridor where an outflow, the lone remnants of an upstream storm cluster, likely provided the trigger. While the initial cells were rather disorganized, slowly increasing westerly winds in the mid-levels, ahead of a strong cold front, provided sufficient shear for the storms to loosely organize into lines, some of which took on a bowing structure. The bowing segments which produced the strongest gusts were oriented more north-to-south, perpendicular to the strengthening mid-level winds. The focus for the storms gradually shifted southeast through the afternoon, ahead of conglomerating thunderstorm outflows. Numerous reports of downed trees and branches were received, along with isolated instances of damage to homes and other structures. Wind gusts between 40 and 57 mph were recorded by several local weather stations, but the strongest winds appear to have missed those locations.
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 21, 1:02 PM EST, 23 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Jackson KY 202 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021 .UPDATE... Issued at 1104 AM EDT MON JUN 21 2021 There looks to be an old outflow boundary moving into the region this morning and this is already sparking off a few showers and perhaps eventually a thunderstorm or two. We will see shower and thunderstorm chances increasing through the day, as a cold front and trough axis drop into the Ohio Valley. It still looks like damaging winds and flash flooding will be the primary risks today. Updated grids to reflect the latest obs and trends. UPDATE Issued at 730 AM EDT MON JUN 21 2021 Made a few tweaks to the precipitation probability forecast for today, but nothing that would warrant issuing a new zone forecast text product. The latest obs were also ingested into the forecast grids to establish new trends. && .SHORT TERM...(Today through Tuesday) Issued at 425 AM EDT MON JUN 21 2021 The primary forecast concern in the short term will the potential for showers and thunderstorms today and tonight and any severe weather potential. A strong cold front is still forecast to move through the region later today and tonight. With a good supply of low level moist and unstable air in place across eastern Kentucky, we can expect widespread showers and storms to fire up and affect the area this afternoon, this evening, and part of tonight. Their is still a slight chance of severe weather later today into early this evening, as the cold front cold moves through. Even with a strong trigger and loads of instability and moisture, one limiting factor for more widespread severe weather still remains, strong winds aloft. That being said, the atmosphere will definitely be supportive for thunderstorm activity this afternoon and this evening, and a few storms could produce hail, strong winds, frequent cloud to ground lightning, and heavy rainfall that could lead to localized flooding. We will continue to monitor severe weather potential through out the morning, and will update the forecast as needed should severe potential increase at any time. Showers and storms will continue overnight, with mainly showers ongoing early Tuesday morning. The rain will continue on Tuesday across the area, but will gradually taper off from west to east through out the day, and should be out of eastern Kentucky by early Tuesday evening. Winds will be strong and gusty early today into this afternoon, with southwesterly flow of 10 to 15 mph and gusts of up to 25 mph expected at times. Temperatures will be extremely warm again today, as southerly to southwesterly flow continues to dominate. The mercury is forecast to max out in the upper 80s for most locations later today. Once the front moves through overnight, we will see a dramatic change in temperatures, as a cool Canadian air mass filters into the region behind the departing cold front and winds shift to the northwest. This influx of cooler air will lead to lows in the upper 50s for tonight. Tuesday will be much cooler than today, with highs in the lower 70s expected. .LONG TERM...(Tuesday night through Sunday) Issued at 427 AM EDT MON JUN 21 2021 An unseasonably cool/dry air mass will be in place over the region at the start of the period, with surface high pressure passing through beneath an eastern CONUS upper trough. The high will migrate eastward as we move through the latter part of the work week, and warm air advection will work to bring more typical temperatures back. At the same time, the upper level trough will weaken as ridging tries to build east from the southern plains and Rockies. However, another upper trough dropping into the north central CONUS will flatten any eastward progress of the ridge and support another cold front to advance southeast toward us at the end of the week. Low level flow ahead of the front will carry gulf moisture back into our region from the southwest. The upper trough is expected to linger over the central CONUS, with the surface front stalling to our northwest as it becomes strung out SW/NE parallel to the upper level flow. With ample moisture and upper level support for precip under the east side of the upper trough, we may be in for a prolonged threat of wet weather. Exactly where it sets up will in the end depend on the positioning of the front and the upper trough, which being nearly a week out, still is somewhat uncertain. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday afternoon) ISSUED AT 202 PM EDT MON JUN 21 2021 Showers and thunderstorms are quickly developing across portions of eastern Kentucky this afternoon. These storms will lead to quick drops in Vis and Cigs into the IFR or lower range, and they will also have the potential to produce strong to severe wind gusts and marginally severe hail. Outside of storms expect gusty winds at times, but largely VFR skies if you catch a break in between storms. These storms will move through this afternoon and evening leaving behind the potential for stratus and fog through the overnight. This could lead to period of MVFR Cigs and Vis through the morning on Tuesday. The winds will be SW to begin the period, but more erratic in thunderstorms. Then becoming more west and northwest behind the front through the night. && .JKL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && UPDATE...DJ SHORT TERM...AR LONG TERM...HAL AVIATION...DJ
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson KY 435 AM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021 KYZ044-050>052-058>060-068-069-079-080-083>088-104-106>120-221100- 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 435 AM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. There is a good chance for thunderstorms today, especially this afternoon and this evening. Some of the storms may produce hail, strong wind gusts, and frequent cloud to ground lightning. Torrential downpours could lead to localized flooding. A few storms will also be possible tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Thunderstorms are possible at times Friday through Sunday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be requested later today. AR/HAL
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
116 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
KYZ050-051-059-060-211745-
Montgomery-Menifee-Bath-Powell-
116 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN POWELL...
MONTGOMERY...SOUTH CENTRAL BATH AND NORTHWESTERN MENIFEE COUNTIES...
At 116 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Westbend, or 9
miles southwest of Mount Sterling, moving east at 40 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Mount Sterling, Owingsville, Jeffersonville, Camargo, Clay Lick,
Means, Levee, Preston, Cornwell, Rothwell, Walkers Crossing, Cedar
Groves, Coons Station, Stepstone, Bean, Bourbon Furnace, Fagan,
Gatewoods Station, Virden and Prewitt.
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 3789 8365 3788 8400 3792 8399 3793 8397
3805 8404 3815 8375
TIME...MOT...LOC 1716Z 252DEG 34KT 3794 8404
GEERTSONSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
122 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
KYZ059-060-106-211745-
Menifee-Morgan-Powell-
122 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN POWELL...WEST
CENTRAL MORGAN AND MENIFEE COUNTIES...
At 122 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Tabor, or near
Frenchburg, moving east at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Frenchburg, Wellington, Campsites in the Indian Creek area of the
Daniel Boone National Forrest, Stoll, Denniston, Pekin, Omer, Dan,
Fagan, Tabor, Scranton, Artville, Mariba, Pomeroyton, Ebon, Ezel, Big
Woods, Haystack and Korea.
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 3803 8344 3787 8336 3785 8348 3786 8350
3785 8352 3782 8370 3793 8376 3803 8348
TIME...MOT...LOC 1722Z 251DEG 24KT 3789 8366
GEERTSONSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service JACKSON KY 135 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021 KYZ058-059-108-111-211800- Lee-Estill-Powell-Wolfe- 135 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN POWELL...EAST CENTRAL ESTILL...NORTHEASTERN LEE AND WESTERN WOLFE COUNTIES... At 135 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Greeley, or 7 miles north of Beattyville, moving northeast at 25 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Campton, Fincastle, Booth, Torrent, Rogers, Leeco, Baptist, Red River Gorge, Pine Ridge, Standing Rock, Vortex, Mary, High Falls, Koomer Ridge Campground, Fixer, Whisman, Zoe, See, Greeley and Jenson. 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 3760 8370 3769 8382 3783 8362 3771 8343 TIME...MOT...LOC 1735Z 235DEG 24KT 3769 8374 GEERTSON
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
145 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
KYZ052-060-106-211815-
Rowan-Menifee-Morgan-
145 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN MORGAN...EASTERN
MENIFEE AND SOUTHEASTERN ROWAN COUNTIES...
At 145 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Korea, or near
Frenchburg, moving east at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
West Liberty, Frenchburg, Henry, Wellington, Zag, Blairs Mills,
Stoll, Lick Branch, Index, Denniston, Pekin, Liberty Road, Omer,
Bangor, Dehart, Ratlitt, Scranton, Wrigley, Mariba and Pomeroyton.
LAT...LON 3808 8327 3806 8327 3805 8325 3789 8317
3786 8357 3799 8362 3805 8351 3805 8350
3807 8348 3807 8347 3812 8331
TIME...MOT...LOC 1745Z 252DEG 26KT 3795 8350
GEERTSONSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
158 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
KYZ059-060-106-108-211830-
Menifee-Morgan-Powell-Wolfe-
158 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN POWELL...
SOUTHWESTERN MORGAN...SOUTH CENTRAL MENIFEE AND NORTHERN WOLFE
COUNTIES...
At 158 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Trent, or near
Campton, moving northeast at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Campton, Lewis, Lower Gilmore, Greear, Mize, Rogers, Lexie, Rexville,
Baptist, Stacy Fork, Daysboro, Red River Gorge, Slade, Pine Ridge,
Sellars, Toliver, Panama, Payton, Trent and Hazel Green.
LAT...LON 3783 8318 3771 8343 3776 8378 3786 8357
3788 8328
TIME...MOT...LOC 1758Z 234DEG 24KT 3777 8345
GEERTSONSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
210 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
KYZ107-110-119-211845-
Martin-Floyd-Johnson-
210 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT MARTIN...SOUTHEASTERN JOHNSON
AND NORTHEASTERN FLOYD COUNTIES...
At 210 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Dicks Creek, or
over Prestonsburg, moving northeast at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Prestonsburg, Inez, Warfield, Beauty, Add, Tomahawk, Endicott,
Pilgrim, Oaklawn Estates, East Point, Coalpoint, Wells Chapel,
Davella, Lancer, Meally, Prince, West Van Lear, Calf Creek, Delong
and Williamsport.
LAT...LON 3763 8275 3774 8285 3789 8264 3789 8260
3791 8260 3796 8253 3792 8248 3790 8247
3791 8247 3787 8241 3786 8242 3781 8240
3782 8239 3776 8233 3776 8231
TIME...MOT...LOC 1810Z 236DEG 27KT 3772 8271
GEERTSONThe Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 31 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:27 UTC.
37 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The Morgan County emergency management reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had knocked down numerous trees across the county, including at least one tree over the road at Grassy Creek.
The Morgan County emergency management reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had knocked down multiple trees in the trailer park just off of KY-7, and that at least one tree had fallen onto a mobile home.
An NWS employee reported a large tree snapped due to strong thunderstorm wind gusts along Pompeii Road, near the intersection with Thorpe Ridge Road.
An NWS employee reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts knocked down a small tree along KY-615, near the intersection with Thorpe Ridge Road.
The Rockcastle County dispatch reported a tree downed onto the road near the intersection of Mount Zion and Renfro Creek Road.
The Rockcastle County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts knocked down a tree near the intersection of West Main Street and Old Somerset Road.
The Hazard and Lexington broadcast media reported that powerful thunderstorm wind gusts caused a 100-foot antenna tower to fall onto a home along Grace Loop Road. Other than a dented roof, there was no apparent structural damage to the home. Multiple trees and branches were also blown down around the home.
The Rockcastle County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had knocked down a tree near the intersection of Old Sigmon Loop and US-25.
Pictures on social media showed trees and limbs blown down by strong thunderstorm wind gusts in Roundstone.
Pictures on social media showed a tree that had been knocked down by strong thunderstorm wind gusts and resulted in some damage to an outdoor structure.
The highway department reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had blown a tree down across Byrde Ridge Road.
The Jackson County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had knocked down a tree across Owsley Fork Road.
The Jackson County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had knocked down multiple trees onto KY-587.
The Owsley County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had knocked down a tree across Fish Creek School Road.
The Wayne County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had knocked down a tree onto KY-1009 near Marcum Road.
The Wayne County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had knocked down a tree onto KY-1720.
The Wayne County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm winds had blown down a tree, blocking KY-858 near Bethesda Rd.
The Wayne County dispatch reported that powerful thunderstorm winds had blown the roof off of a house along Elm Street in Monticello.
The Wayne County dispatch reported that powerful thunderstorm wind gusts had knocked down a tree onto a home along Chesney Street in Monticello.
Wayne County dispatch reported that very strong thunderstorm wind gusts had caused a tree to fall onto a mobile home and vehicle along Tennessee Street just southeast of Monticello.
The Wayne County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts caused a tree to fall onto KY-1619, blocking the roadway.
The highway department reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had knocked down a tree down across KY-257 in Confluence.
The Pulaski County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had knocked down multiple trees along Jasper Street, with one tree falling onto powerlines near the intersection with Mount Vernon Street.
The Pulaski County dispatch reported multiple trees knocked down by strong thunderstorm wind gusts at the intersection of Hope Way and Railroad Street.
The Pulaski County dispatch reported that multiple trees had fallen along Ohio Street due to strong thunderstorm wind gusts.
The Magoffin County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had blown a tree down onto KY-7 near the intersection with Straight Fork Road.
The Rockcastle County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had knocked down a large tree branch, partially blocking Valley View Road.
The Floyd County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had downed a tree on KY-194, blocking the highway on a hill grade near Cow Creek.
The highway department reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts caused a tree to fall across KY-1955 between mile markers 1 and 2.
A county official reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had caused a tree to fall onto a powerline near the intersection of Twin Branch Road and KY-638.
Pictures on social media show downed tree limbs along with minor damage to a roof near Louden, all caused by strong thunderstorm wind gusts.
The Bell County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had knocked down trees onto Hurst Road just off KY-119.
The Bell County dispatch reported that thunderstorm wind gusts had knocked a tree down onto Happy Hollow Road.
The Knox County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had blown down a tree onto KY-459 near the intersection with KY-11.
The Knox County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had knocked down a tree along KY-1304 near the intersection with US-25.
The Clay County dispatch reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts had knocked down a tree onto KY-1524.
The highway department reported that strong thunderstorm wind gusts caused multiple trees to fall down across Cloverlick Creek Road.
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: 956290, 956436, 956435, 956300, 956339, 956480, 956340, 956341, 956342, 956291, 956299, 956293, 956295, 956298, 956296, 956294, 956292, 956308, 956343, 956310, 956313, 956333, 956301, 956311, 956314, 956319, 956334, 956326, 956337, 956338, 956305, 956324, 956325, 956328, 956330, 956331, 956332.