A rather large and slow-moving area of thunderstorms moved east across the lower Ohio Valley. The storms produced heavy rainfall and isolated urban flooding.
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 PAH wrote it up.
A rather large and slow-moving area of thunderstorms moved east across the lower Ohio Valley. The storms produced heavy rainfall and isolated urban flooding. The storms occurred ahead of a cold front that extended from central Indiana southwest to the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. A very moist and unstable air mass supported the storms. Southwest 850 mb winds increased to over 30 knots, further aiding storm development.
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 Jul 17, 5:26 PM CST, 5 hours 5 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Paducah KY 626 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022 .UPDATE... Issued at 625 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022 Updated the aviation section for the 00Z TAF issuance. && .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Tuesday night) Issued at 321 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022 An upper level trof, currently extending from over the Great Lakes region to Missouri, will continue to push slowly southeast tonight. Concurrently, at the surface, a weak boundary to our northwest will also be slowly moving through the PAH forecast area tonight into Monday. The latest HRRR shows convection becoming widespread across the entire PAH forecast area between 01z-04z, then gradually moving southeast through the overnight hours. Went with likely to categorical PoPs through this evening, then chances will slowly decrease from northwest to southeast late tonight through Monday. Our northwest and west counties should be dry by Monday afternoon, with just a few light showers possibly lingering in our far southeast counties early Monday evening. Additional rainfall amounts are expected to be generally in the one to one and a half inch range, with isolated higher amounts. Portions of southeast Missouri, far west Kentucky and extreme southeast Illinois remain in a Slight Risk for severe storms, where we have had the best heating and least rainfall. If storms can get going in the next few hours, we could see a few strong to severe storms into this evening. This will be something to watch. The clouds and precipitation have given us a break from the above normal temperatures today, and this will also be the case tomorrow. With lows tonight and Monday night around 70 degrees, highs Monday will range from the middle 80s east to near 90 degrees west. The heat begins its return Tuesday, when we expect highs to range from around 90 degrees northeast to the middle 90s southwest. With dew points in the lower 70s, afternoon heat indices in southeast Missouri will reach from 100 to around 105 degrees. Lows Tuesday night will be much warmer in the middle to upper 70s. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Sunday) Issued at 321 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022 The long term forecast period will feature mainly hot and dry weather through the weekend with an upper ridge building into the Middle Mississippi Valley area. With breezy southwesterly winds bringing in ample moisture, Wednesday looks to be the most concerning day of the week for heat related issues. Highs are forecast to be in the mid-90s for the Evansville Tri-State to near or just above 100 in Southeast Missouri with peak heat index values of 105-110 likely for most of the area. A shortwave low moves across Lake Superior into Ontario Wednesday, resulting in a weak cold frontal passage through the Quad State Wednesday evening. While there is plenty of CAPE and DCAPE along with high mid-level lapse rates, a strong capping inversion sharply limits PoPs in the ensembles ahead of the front. The lone PoPs left in the NBM are Wednesday evening for the KY Pennyrile area, as precip chances are higher southeast of the forecast area. The front will provide some temporary relief from heat and humidity, though highs on Thursday are still projected to be in the upper-80s to mid- 90s. The upper ridge expands eastward into the Middle Mississippi Valley for next weekend. Some models are forecasting extreme heat, particularly the operational GFS, though this appears to be way overdone. Due to the clear overstating of highs in some models, and the slight chance of showers/storms for the weekend in some ensemble members that tend to occur in scenarios with a reduced intrusion of the ridge, highs were nudged lower relative to the NBM initialization, but still at or slightly above the 50th percentile. This puts highs Friday-Saturday in the mid to upper 90s with temperatures around 100 possible in Southeast Missouri. && .AVIATION... Issued at 625 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022 Showers and thunderstorms are moving through the Quad State region this evening. Clusters of storms in a very disorganized line will provide for a few hours in which thunder is most likely at each terminal. Thunder cannot be ruled out completely overnight or with potential new convection in the morning in Western Kentucky but is left out of the TAF due to low probability. Vsby will drop with thunderstorms and heavy rain, and will likely remain somewhat reduced overnight as fog forms. IFR cigs move in behind the main storm line, especially for KEVV/KOWB, while other sites may only drop to MVFR. Aside from thunderstorm gusts, winds will be light, shifting from southwesterly to northwesterly. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. MO...None. IN...None. KY...None. && UPDATE...ATL SHORT TERM...RST LONG TERM...ATL AVIATION...ATL
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Paducah KY 523 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-182230- 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- 523 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...Tonight There is a chance for a few strong to locally severe thunderstorms across the area through tonight. The best chance should be this evening. Damaging wind is the most likely hazard. Hail up to or slightly greater than 1 inch is possible. A brief tornado or two may occur, and produce narrow paths of wind damage similar to any straight line wind damage. Locally heavy rain is possible through tonight. While most of the area will benefit from the heavier rainfall, isolated instances of minor flooding cannot be ruled out. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday Peak heat index values of near 105 degrees are possible Tuesday in southeast Missouri, and heat index readings of 105 to 110 degrees are likely on Wednesday across the entire area. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be requested this evening.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1000 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022
ILZ083-086-087-090-091-INZ085-086-KYZ014-018-180345-
White IL-Saline IL-Gallatin IL-Pope IL-Hardin IL-Posey IN-
Vanderburgh IN-Henderson KY-Union KY-
1000 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southeastern White,
Hardin, Pope, southeastern Saline, central Gallatin, southwestern
Vanderburgh, southern Posey, western Henderson and Union Counties
through 1045 PM CDT...
At 959 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Mount Vernon to near Uniontown to near
Equality to 7 miles northeast of Vienna. Movement was east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Mount Vernon and Uniontown around 1005 PM CDT.
Shawneetown and Dixon Springs around 1015 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of these storms include Corydon,
Henderson, Morganfield and Breckinridge Center.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Paducah.
&&
LAT...LON 3794 8759 3780 8758 3763 8787 3734 8871
3760 8871 3761 8839 3788 8810 3798 8806
TIME...MOT...LOC 0259Z 271DEG 26KT 3794 8797 3781 8798 3766 8832 3749
8881
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
SMITHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1019 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022
ILZ086-087-090-091-KYZ007-008-010-011-013-180415-
Saline IL-Gallatin IL-Pope IL-Hardin IL-Marshall KY-Crittenden KY-
Lyon KY-Livingston KY-Caldwell KY-
1019 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Hardin, Pope,
southeastern Saline, southwestern Gallatin, Livingston, Crittenden,
northwestern Caldwell, Marshall and Lyon Counties through 1115 PM
CDT...
At 1018 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles southeast of Creal Springs to 7 miles
southwest of Burna to 8 miles southeast of Lovelaceville to near
Clinton. Movement was east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Burna around 1030 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of these storms include Salem and Benton.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 24 in Kentucky between Mile Markers 18 and 45.
Interstate 69 in Kentucky between Mile Markers 35 and 75.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Paducah.
&&
LAT...LON 3702 8848 3703 8852 3707 8856 3707 8849
3716 8849 3734 8871 3760 8871 3761 8815
3719 8792 3687 8814 3687 8816 3685 8815
3675 8834 3675 8848
TIME...MOT...LOC 0318Z 270DEG 29KT 3756 8876 3720 8851 3686 8876 3670
8903
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
SMITHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1101 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022
KYZ010-013-015>017-180500-
Crittenden KY-Webster KY-Christian KY-Caldwell KY-Hopkins KY-
1101 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of east central
Crittenden, northwestern Christian, Caldwell, Hopkins and Webster
Counties through MIDNIGHT CDT...
At 1101 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Sturgis to near Creswell to near Eddyville
to 12 miles east of Calvert City. Movement was east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Creswell and Farmersville around 1105 PM CDT.
Princeton, Clay and Olney around 1120 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of these storms include Providence,
Dawson Springs, Dixon, Madisonville, Earlington, Nortonville and
Mortons Gap.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 69 in Kentucky between Mile Markers 78 and 130.
Western Kentucky Parkway between Mile Markers 39 and 40.
Pennyrile Parkway between Mile Markers 29 and 34.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Paducah.
&&
LAT...LON 3731 8738 3726 8739 3725 8738 3718 8742
3699 8762 3700 8773 3700 8792 3707 8796
3718 8791 3731 8798 3743 8794 3747 8794
3754 8785 3755 8744 3734 8735
TIME...MOT...LOC 0401Z 259DEG 31KT 3750 8807 3726 8797 3711 8805 3699
8814
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SMITHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
1107 PM CDT SUN JUL 17 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0915 PM TSTM WND GST 2 NNE SIKESTON 36.90N 89.57W
07/17/2022 M45 MPH SCOTT MO AWOS
AWOS STATION KSIK SIKESTON MO.
&&
K. SMITHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1114 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022
INZ087-088-KYZ015-018>020-180515-
Warrick IN-Spencer IN-Henderson KY-Webster KY-McLean KY-Daviess KY-
1114 PM CDT Sun Jul 17 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southern Warrick,
southwestern Spencer, eastern Henderson, Daviess, northern McLean and
northeastern Webster Counties through 1215 AM CDT...
At 1114 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Henderson to near Robards to near Sebree.
Movement was east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Beech Grove and St. Joseph around 1130 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of these storms include Calhoun, Stanley,
Eureka, Owensboro, Rockport, Grandview, Masonville, Knottsville and
Whitesville.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 165 between Mile Markers 60 and 70.
Interstate 69 in Kentucky between Mile Markers 130 and 146.
Audubon Parkway between Mile Markers 1 and 23.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Paducah.
&&
LAT...LON 3767 8682 3763 8695 3752 8707 3754 8736
3757 8737 3754 8742 3754 8758 3773 8753
3790 8757 3797 8695 3793 8694 3793 8698
3790 8699 3790 8691 3788 8689 3784 8691
3784 8686 3779 8682 3774 8682 3771 8686
TIME...MOT...LOC 0414Z 261DEG 32KT 3789 8757 3773 8753 3758 8757
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SMITHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
1130 PM CDT SUN JUL 17 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0827 PM TSTM WND DMG OAK RIDGE 37.50N 89.73W
07/17/2022 CAPE GIRARDEAU MO TRAINED SPOTTER
TRAINED SPOTTER IN OAK RIDGE, MO WALKING
THROUGH PROPERTY FOUND BROKEN OFF 2 LIMBS
FROM HICKORY TREE LAYING IN YARD. SMALLER
LIMBS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT HIS YARD. REPORT
RELAYED BY HAM OPERATOR.
&&
K. SMITHThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Several inches of water covered Interstate 69 at the interchange of Highway 41.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, July 2022
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: 1039091.