Kentucky was in strong southwesterly flow after the passage of a warm front earlier in the day, and ahead of an approaching cold front. With a warm/moist airmass in place, it was no surprise that scattered showers and thunderstorms were present through much of the day, especially in the afternoon, for Kentucky and surrounding states.
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.
Kentucky was in strong southwesterly flow after the passage of a warm front earlier in the day, and ahead of an approaching cold front. With a warm/moist airmass in place, it was no surprise that scattered showers and thunderstorms were present through much of the day, especially in the afternoon, for Kentucky and surrounding states. By the evening, a couple storms became strong enough that NWS Jackson forecasters warned them. Ultimately two reports of damage came out of the storms that moved through, one in Leslie County and one in Breathitt County.
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 17, 3:20 PM EST, 2 hours 26 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Jackson KY 420 PM EDT Mon Jun 17 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Hot weather persists through the week. Afternoon heat indices may peak around 100 at some locations. - The upper level high/ridge bringing our heat wave will weaken next weekend and allow a cold front to move into the area, possibly bringing thunderstorms. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tuesday night) Issued at 304 PM EDT MON JUN 17 2024 Current surface analysis has yesterday's slow moving warm front off to the east of the area. Surface high pressure is firmly entrenched across much of the southeastern CONUS. To the north, a shortwave is moving through the Great Lakes but with the strength of the upper- level ridge, that feature will remain well north of the area. For the remainder of the day, near to or record setting temperatures are forecast to continue to climb into the low to mid-90s with heat indices pushing 100 degrees. Continued caution and heat safety awareness should exist as these above average temperatures will remain in place through the period. Also, increased moisture across the area will allow for the development of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon which may linger the evening before dissipating after sunset. SPC mesoanalysis is pinging the region for SBCAPE values pushing in the 3,000 J/kg range with PWs approaching 2.00" both of which could create some decent thunderstorms with heavy rainfall. Like yesterday, unfavorable severe parameters exist; therefore, severe thunderstorm chances should be limited. Once showers dissipate, lingering cloudy skies will remain overnight which will limit the amount of ridge-valley splitting and hinder fog development. However, areas that do see precipitation would be the better candidates to experience fog. As a result of increased cloud cover, overnight temperatures are forecast to be on the more mild side as overnight lows are forecast to be in the upper-60s to lower- 70s. High pressure persists into Tuesday with very similar temperatures and heat indices to Monday. The big difference for Tuesday is the decreased moisture due to downsloping from easterly flow will largely negate the chances for afternoon showers and thunderstorms. However, can't rule out a very very isolated chance of PoP for Tuesday afternoon mainly for the western portions of the CWA. Cirrus clouds are forecast to be in place Tuesday night into Wednesday morning which may allow for a ridge-valley split to materialize and valley fog to develop. However, this is dependent on the cloud coverage and amount of radiational cooling that can occur. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Monday) Issued at 420 PM EDT MON JUN 17 2024 Models continue in good agreement for the pattern that will affect our area during the long term period. Strong upper level high pressure is expected to be centered over the Mid Atlantic states ridging west southwest over our area through Friday. Surface high pressure/ridging will be displaced slightly to the southeast. Our low level flow will emanate from this high/ridge, crossing the Appalachians and not having trajectories over the warm gulf, and this will keep dew points from being too excessive. Meanwhile, the upper level high will bring subsidence and warm temps aloft. This combination should prevent deep convection, despite the early season hot temperatures which are expected. As we move into the weekend, the upper level ridge will break down and an upper low/trough is forecast to move east to the upper Great Lakes, sending the southern edge of the prevailing westerlies aloft back south to our area. At the surface, our flow out of the high will break down and become amorphous on Saturday. The upper level system to our north will support a cold front which will approach the Ohio Valley late Sunday, and our low level flow should then become southwesterly. As the flow out of the surface high breaks down, our air mass should begin to modify and see dew points creep higher on Saturday, followed by advection of moisture into the area ahead of the front late in the weekend. Along with slight cooling aloft as the ridge breaks down, the combination may allow for a few thunderstorms during the weekend. However, the best shot at rain is on Monday when the cold front should arrive and provide a focus for development. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday afternoon) ISSUED AT 125 PM EDT MON JUN 17 2024 VFR conditions are prevailing across all TAF sites and will prevail through most of the TAF period. Surface high pressure is in place; however, showers and thunderstorms are forecast to develop over the next few hours and increase in coverage. Opted to add VCTS to all terminals through 01Z/Tuesday. As showers decrease, decreasing CIGS are expected and could lead to areas of valley fog which could impact all terminals minus KJKL. Otherwise, light and variable winds will persist through the TAF period. && .JKL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SHORT TERM...VORST LONG TERM...HAL AVIATION...VORST
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson KY 412 PM EDT Mon Jun 17 2024 KYZ044-050>052-058>060-068-069-079-080-083>088-104-106>120-181100- 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- 412 PM EDT Mon Jun 17 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for a portion of eastern Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will affect some locations early this evening before dissipating toward sunset. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Isolated thunderstorms are expected in some locations Tuesday afternoon. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon and early evening. Thunderstorms are also possible Sunday through Monday. The combination of humidity and hot temperatures will result in heat indices peaking near 100 degrees at some locations during the afternoon hours, especially on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected. VORST/HAL
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
513 PM EDT Mon Jun 17 2024
KYZ116-117-172145-
Clay KY-Leslie KY-
513 PM EDT Mon Jun 17 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL LESLIE AND
SOUTHEASTERN CLAY COUNTIES THROUGH 545 PM EDT...
At 513 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Roark, or 12 miles southwest of Hyden, moving northwest at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Jacks Creek, Enline, Ashers Fork, Roark, Hector, Marcum, Bobs Fork,
Bear Branch, Creekville, Skidmore, Spring Creek, Plank, Queendale,
Big Creek, and Peabody.
THIS INCLUDES Hal Rogers Parkway between mile markers 25 and 40.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3702 8344 3697 8357 3715 8372 3723 8351
TIME...MOT...LOC 2113Z 153DEG 9KT 3703 8354
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
GEERTSONSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
553 PM EDT Mon Jun 17 2024
KYZ088-115-117-118-172215-
Perry KY-Harlan KY-Letcher KY-Leslie KY-
553 PM EDT Mon Jun 17 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL HARLAN...
SOUTHEASTERN LESLIE...SOUTHWESTERN LETCHER AND SOUTHEASTERN PERRY
COUNTIES THROUGH 615 PM EDT...
At 553 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Pine Mountain, or 11 miles northeast of Harlan, moving north at 10
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Leatherwood, Gilley, Arthur, Big Laurel, Totz, Black Bottom, Pine
Mountain, Louellen, Delphia, Diane, Nolansburg, and Big Rock.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3691 8306 3689 8319 3704 8331 3708 8309
TIME...MOT...LOC 2153Z 172DEG 7KT 3695 8316
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
GEERTSONSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
613 PM EDT Mon Jun 17 2024
KYZ088-115-117-118-172230-
Perry KY-Harlan KY-Letcher KY-Leslie KY-
613 PM EDT Mon Jun 17 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL HARLAN...EAST
CENTRAL LESLIE...SOUTHWESTERN LETCHER AND SOUTHEASTERN PERRY COUNTIES
THROUGH 630 PM EDT...
At 613 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Pine Mountain, or 12 miles northeast of Harlan, moving north at 15
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Yeaddiss, Big Fork, Leatherwood, Cinda, Arthur, Big Laurel, Ulvah,
Pine Mountain, Slemp, Big Rock, Causey, Gilley, Daisy, Delphia, and
Cutshin.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 3697 8307 3692 8323 3712 8332 3713 8304
TIME...MOT...LOC 2213Z 180DEG 12KT 3697 8318
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
GEERTSONSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
619 PM EDT Mon Jun 17 2024
KYZ112-114-115-172245-
Breathitt KY-Perry KY-Owsley KY-
619 PM EDT Mon Jun 17 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL OWSLEY...
NORTHWESTERN PERRY AND SOUTHWESTERN BREATHITT COUNTIES THROUGH 645 PM
EDT...
At 619 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Dalesburg, or 13 miles southeast of Booneville, moving north at 15
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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Buckhorn, Morris Fork, Valjean, Crockettsville, Saldee, Arnett,
Talbert, Beech, Lucky Fork, Dalesburg, Whick, Canoe, Sebastian's
Branch, Buckhorn Lake S.P., and Houston.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3730 8358 3749 8359 3745 8336 3729 8343
3729 8348
TIME...MOT...LOC 2219Z 191DEG 14KT 3735 8350
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
GEERTSONSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service JACKSON KY
633 PM EDT Mon Jun 17 2024
KYZ115>117-172300-
Clay KY-Perry KY-Leslie KY-
633 PM EDT Mon Jun 17 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT LESLIE...SOUTH CENTRAL PERRY AND
EAST CENTRAL CLAY COUNTIES THROUGH 700 PM EDT...
At 633 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Wooton to Warbranch. Movement was northwest at
15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Hyden, Big Fork, Leatherwood, Hoskinston, Essie, Cinda, Dryhill,
Smilax, Mozelle, Daley, Kaliopi, Asher, Creekville, Confluence,
Thousandsticks, Napier, Cutshin, Stinnett, Yeaddiss, and Hosea.
THIS INCLUDES Hal Rogers Parkway between mile markers 40 and 51.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 3705 8360 3729 8339 3705 8312 3692 8340
TIME...MOT...LOC 2233Z 132DEG 12KT 3717 8329 3697 8343
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
GEERTSONThe Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 41 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:45 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Leslie County dispatch reported a tree blown down onto power lines near the intersection of River Road and McIntosh Road (in the vicinity of Hal Rogers Parkway) in the Dryhill community.
Breathitt County dispatch reported a couple trees blown down about 7 miles up KY-378, near the Taulbee community.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, June 2024
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: 1192715, 1192716.