A small cluster of strong to severe thunderstorms developed along a weak cold front as it pushed southeast across western Kentucky. A few of the storms produced wind gusts around 60 mph.
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 small cluster of strong to severe thunderstorms developed along a weak cold front as it pushed southeast across western Kentucky. A few of the storms produced wind gusts around 60 mph. A slow-moving thunderstorm caused isolated flash flooding of an urban area.
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 2, 11:48 AM CST, 2 hours 22 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Paducah KY 1248 PM CDT Sat Jul 2 2022 .UPDATE... Issued at 1240 PM CDT Sat Jul 2 2022 Updated aviation discussion for 18z TAFs. UPDATE Issued at 633 AM CDT Sat Jul 2 2022 Updated Aviation discussion for the 12z TAF issuance. && .SHORT TERM...(Today through Monday night) Issued at 258 AM CDT Sat Jul 2 2022 A quiet, warm, and muggy night is ongoing across the PAH CWA early this Saturday. Pockets of convective activity have intermittently developed just to the north and west of the forecast area. This activity is associated with a stationary frontal boundary that will sag southward into the region as we go through today. Much of the region should be able to significantly destabilize by late morning into the afternoon hours, with model soundings depicting widespread 1500-2000 J/kg of MLCAPE. The stationary front, as well as any remnant outflow boundaries, will trigger scattered to numerous convection (PoPs of 40-70%) across the forecast area this afternoon. While today won't be a washout, those with outdoor plans should be prepared for the possibility of thunderstorms. In addition to the instability, a subtle shortwave trough will pass through the region this afternoon. This will generate shear values of 30-40 kts in the 0 to 6 km layer. Therefore, an organized strong or severe thunderstorm cannot be ruled out, with damaging winds being the primary severe risk. Temperatures and humidity levels today will be seasonably hot and humid, with forecast highs reaching the upper 80s to lower 90s. Dew point temperatures will generally be in the lower to middle 70s. This evening, convective coverage will wane to isolated levels with the loss of diurnal heating. However, late tonight into Sunday morning, another weak impulse will result in an uptick in precipitation after midnight. Sunday will be fairly similar to Saturday, but without the upper-level support. This will result is more scattered (PoPs of 30-50%) and disorganized thunderstorm activity concentrated during peak heating hours. High temperatures will again reach the upper 80s to lower 90s accompanied by dew point temperatures in the lower to middle 70s. For Independence Day Monday, the stationary boundary will begin to retreat to the north and east. Therefore, convective development will be more isolated in nature, with PoPs generally in the 20 to 30% range during the afternoon hours. Any ongoing precipitation will diminish by the early evening hours with the loss of daytime heat, so our current thinking is that by fireworks time at dusk the entire region will by dry. Temperatures will tick upward into the lower 90s across the region for daytime highs. With dew point temperatures remaining in the lower to middle 70s, peak heat index values will creep into the 100 to 105 degree range across the forecast area. .LONG TERM...(Tuesday through Friday) Issued at 258 AM CDT Sat Jul 2 2022 Most of the medium range guidance agrees in high pressure aloft and southerly breezes leading to a hot and humid work week. The primary issue is when will the ridge break down and allow a cold front to move into and through the Quad State. The upper ridge will initially be flat and cover the southern half of the country Tuesday and Wednesday, but Thursday into Friday it will amplify over the Rockies or Plains, as energy moves through the Great Lakes and suppresses the ridge over the Quad State. Unfortunately, the cold front could come as early as Thursday or as late as next Saturday depending on which flavor of guidance you prefer. Prior to the front, it will be quite hot Tuesday through Thursday with NBM highs in the middle to upper 90s. The hottest day will be Wednesday. There will not be a very strong cap, and most guidance spits out at least some isolated splotches of QPF each day. Given that we should mix through at least 850mb each day, it may difficult for the moisture to avoid mixing out too much. Where dewpoints can hang in the low to mid 70s convection will be possible each afternoon. Lapse rates in the mid-levels are near moist adiabatic, so CAPE will be limited. Wind fields will be pathetic, therefore any convection will be isolated and short-lived and will provide very limited relief from the heat and humidity. The NBM PoPs are 20-40% through Thursday which may be overdone. The best chances each day should be over the northeast half of the region. As for heat indices, the NBM temperatures and dewpoints result in 103-110F each afternoon. Wednesday is expected to have the worst conditions with much of southeast Missouri and southern Illinois pushing 110F which is our Excessive Heat Warning threshold. The highest readings each day should be over the western half of the region. As mentioned above, we will be mixing through at least 850mb which casts some doubt on middle 70 dewpoints hanging around by max heating in the afternoon each day. We will have to watch the trend in the dewpoint forecast over the coming days. As of now, a Heat Advisory looks reasonable across the region Tuesday through Thursday. Whenever the front and some increase in west northwest flow aloft arrive, the coverage of convection should become somewhat more widespread throughout the area. The NBM currently has the frontal passage on Friday, which is the middle of the range of possibilities seen in the 00Z guidance. The instability and flow will still be too meager to allow for convective organization, so heavy rainfall and lightning will be the primary concerns. Southeast Missouri could see one more day of heat indices near 105F, and if the front is later than currently forecast the heat and humidity could continue to impact the entire region Friday. It will take a day for significant relief to filter in behind the cold front. && .AVIATION... Issued at 1240 PM CDT Sat Jul 2 2022 The main concern is scattered thunderstorm activity that will be in the vicinity of all terminals through the remainder of the day. KMVN, KEVV and KOWB will see the most widespread activity where brief cigs and vis restrictions are not ruled out. Otherwise, thunderstorm activity will diminish this evening before another round arrives after midnight favoring northern terminals once again. In addition, MVFR cigs will move into the FA later tonight, impacting mainly KCGI. Winds will be light and variable, but stronger winds are possible during thunderstorms. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. MO...None. IN...None. KY...None. && UPDATE...DW SHORT TERM...DWS LONG TERM...DRS AVIATION...DW
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Paducah KY 416 AM CDT Sat Jul 2 2022 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-030930- 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- 416 AM CDT Sat Jul 2 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Scattered thunderstorms are expected today, with the greatest chance this afternoon. An isolated severe thunderstorm with damaging winds cannot be ruled out. Otherwise, lightning and heavy rain will be the main hazards. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible Sunday through Thursday. A better chance of thunderstorms will accompany a cold front through the region Thursday night or Friday. Locally heavy rainfall and lightning should be the primary concerns. Afternoon heat index values throughout the region will range from 100 to 105 degrees Monday and from 103 to 110 degrees Tuesday through Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated today. DWS/DRS
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
108 PM CDT Sat Jul 2 2022
MOZ076-086-021845-
Bollinger MO-Perry MO-
108 PM CDT Sat Jul 2 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Bollinger
and southwestern Perry Counties through 145 PM CDT...
At 107 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles east of Cobalt, or 7 miles east of Fredericktown, moving east
at .20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Patton and Alliance around 125 PM CDT.
This includes Interstate 55 between Mile Markers 127 and 128.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
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.
This storm 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.
&&
LAT...LON 3769 9010 3769 8986 3740 8986 3745 9014
3754 9014 3757 9015 3764 9015
TIME...MOT...LOC 1807Z 282DEG 28KT 3755 9016
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
07Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
238 PM CDT Sat Jul 2 2022
KYZ010-014-015-022015-
Crittenden KY-Webster KY-Union KY-
238 PM CDT Sat Jul 2 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Crittenden, southwestern Union and southwestern Webster Counties
through 315 PM CDT...
At 237 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles northeast of Marion, moving north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 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.
Locations impacted include...
Clay and Sturgis.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
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 3735 8781 3735 8782 3736 8783 3731 8791
3728 8805 3747 8811 3747 8809 3749 8806
3752 8806 3758 8814 3759 8814 3761 8794
3743 8765
TIME...MOT...LOC 1937Z 191DEG 16KT 3739 8797
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
07Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
309 PM CDT Sat Jul 2 2022
ILZ091-KYZ010-014-022030-
Hardin IL-Crittenden KY-Union KY-
309 PM CDT Sat Jul 2 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern Hardin,
Crittenden, and southwestern Union Counties through 330 PM CDT...
At 309 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Sturgis to 15 miles northwest of Creswell
to 8 miles southwest of Clay to near Marion to near Salem. Movement
was east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 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...
Sturgis around 315 PM CDT.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3728 8798 3727 8822 3734 8830 3737 8830
3759 8817 3757 8814 3759 8814 3761 8793
3753 8787 3747 8794 3741 8793 3740 8790
3742 8785 3740 8784 3738 8786 3738 8784
3739 8782 3738 8781
TIME...MOT...LOC 2009Z 262DEG 24KT 3757 8806 3748 8804 3741 8795 3736
8809 3732 8821
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
07The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 90 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:09 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
An emergency manager estimated winds gusted to at least 60 mph.
One tree and several large limbs were blown down across State Route 365, about four miles from U.S. Highway 60.
A trained spotter estimated winds gusted between 40 and 60 mph near Deaconess Hospital.
A 38-year-old man who was flying a remote-controlled plane was struck by lightning. He was airlifted to an out-of-state hospital, where he died several days later.
Several roads in Madisonville were closed due to flash flooding. Storm total rainfall of 2 to 3 inches was reported in the Madisonville area.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning, Hopkins | 2022-07-06 | 38 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
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: 1034149, 1034139, 1034148, 1039306, 1039008.