A line of thunderstorms entered northwestern Kentucky during the overnight hours, continuing through the Northern Pennyrile. The strongest storm went near the town of Hanson in Hopkins County, doing substantial wind damage to the Otter Lake area with numerous trees down.
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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 PAH wrote it up.
A line of thunderstorms entered northwestern Kentucky during the overnight hours, continuing through the Northern Pennyrile. The strongest storm went near the town of Hanson in Hopkins County, doing substantial wind damage to the Otter Lake area with numerous trees down. The storm weakened as it continued into Muhlenberg County with sub-severe wind and hail reported 8 miles SW of Bremen. MLCAPE values remained around 1000 J/kg at 06Z while effective bulk shear increased to around 30 kts.
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 May 24, 5:26 PM CST, 6 hours 3 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Paducah KY 626 PM CDT Fri May 24 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - A few strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible this evening into the overnight. Stronger storms will also be capable of heavy rain, which may cause localized flooding. - Numerous thunderstorms are expected Sunday-Sunday night. The best chance of more widespread severe storms is Sunday evening, when all severe weather modes are possible. Heavy rain and localized flooding will also be a potential hazard. - Drier conditions with closer to normal temperatures will be the rule for much of next week. && .UPDATE... Issued at 625 PM CDT Fri May 24 2024 Updated the aviation section for the 00Z TAF issuance. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 115 PM CDT Fri May 24 2024 Scattered convection today-tonight will pack heavy rainfall capable of causing some localized flooding, esp if they can repeat over the same areas. There's about 20-30 kts of steering flow so most of the morning rain, while heavy, moved enough to preclude broader scale issues, given hourly RR up to 1.5". The severe risk is moreso tied to an incoming front into an environment that may still have 2000+ J/KG of CAPE as it nears closer to midnight, when bulk shear will have increased 5-10 kts from now. As a result, damaging wind/hail from stronger cells cannot be ruled out. While later afternoon/early evening convection looks more pulse oriented, the incoming front could offer a more linear convective translation overnight. This will include the potential for training echoes/heavy rain causing localized flood issues. After a relative pause Saturday, when the chance of storms is not zero but the chance of severe is minimal...all eyes will turn to Sunday. An approaching 80+ kt upper level jet will see its left front entrance region nearing within a difluent height pattern offering good updraft growth enhancement potential, as 700-500 mb modeled lapse rates have spiked upwards to 8C/KM, quite robust. We see bulk shear nearly double to 40-50 kts from now to the end of Sunday. As a result, all modes severe are expected with the primary system approach and passage Sunday evening-overnight. Earlier, we may get caught up in the warm sector convective growth as the shear and instability parameters grow, but latest modeling suggests this will be mainly to our north, where ongoing activity from late morning on thru the afternoon is possible. We cannot rule out this time frame for strong or even severe storms, but the better dynamical inputs come together with the primary system as aforementioned, from late day into the overnight. Heavy rains capable of localized flooding will also be possible Sunday-Sunday night. While the low level features push the storms on thru Sunday night, the upper trof lags with passage so showers/isolated pops linger into Monday. After that, we look pretty dry and seasonal for the remainder of the week. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 625 PM CDT Fri May 24 2024 Showers and storms are moving eastward just north of the I-64 corridor early this evening. Additional storm development southwest of St Louis has collapsed on approach to the Quad State, leaving the cold front further west as the focus for late evening development. Scattered showers and storms cross the area by late night. MVFR cigs are likely along/behind the storms with MVFR vsbys (brief IFR possible) with heavy rain. Breezy winds out of the south will trend lighter but may gust with storms. Following the cold front, winds shift to the northwest and eventually north. Winds remain around 5 kts and variable tomorrow with clearing skies. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. MO...None. IN...None. KY...None. && UPDATE...ATL DISCUSSION...99 AVIATION...ATL
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Paducah KY 401 AM CDT Fri May 24 2024 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-251000- 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- 401 AM CDT Fri May 24 2024 /501 AM EDT Fri May 24 2024/ 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 possible today and tonight. A few severe storms will be possible late this afternoon into the evening, mainly over southeast Missouri and southern Illinois. Large hail and damaging winds will be the primary concerns, but a tornado or two cannot be ruled out. Locally heavy rainfall could lead to some isolated flooding problems. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday A few thunderstorms are possible Saturday mainly over the Pennyrile Region of west Kentucky. A brief period of heavy rainfall and lightning can be expected. Numerous thunderstorms are expected Sunday afternoon and night. Severe storms are expected in the afternoon and evening, with damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes all possible. Supercells are expected initially, but they will quickly form into a line and move east or southeast across the region. A few high end severe events, 2 inch diameter hail, 75+ mph winds, and EF2 or greater tornadoes, will be possible, especially over the northeast half of the region. In addition, torrential rains could lead to some isolated flooding problems. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters should be prepared for activation late this afternoon and evening, mainly over southeast Missouri and southern Illinois, and then throughout the area Sunday afternoon and evening. DRS
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
827 PM CDT Fri May 24 2024
ILZ076-250200-
Wayne IL-
827 PM CDT Fri May 24 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN WAYNE COUNTY THROUGH
900 PM CDT...
At 826 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Helm, or 12 miles southwest of Flora, moving east at 50 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...
Cisne, Jeffersonville, Mount Erie, and Johnsonville.
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 3860 8815 3838 8815 3845 8870 3861 8870
TIME...MOT...LOC 0126Z 273DEG 43KT 3854 8863
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DWSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1024 PM CDT Fri May 24 2024
ILZ083-INZ085-250400-
White IL-Posey IN-
1024 PM CDT Fri May 24 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL WHITE AND NORTHWESTERN
POSEY COUNTIES THROUGH 1100 PM CDT...
At 1024 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms near Carmi, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny 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...
Mount Vernon, Carmi, Crossville, Maunie, and Phillipstown.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3792 8817 3805 8825 3819 8801 3796 8784
TIME...MOT...LOC 0324Z 245DEG 21KT 3800 8811
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DWSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1100 PM CDT Fri May 24 2024
ILZ087-INZ085-086-KYZ014-018-250445-
Gallatin IL-Posey IN-Vanderburgh IN-Henderson KY-Union KY-
1100 PM CDT Fri May 24 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN GALLATIN...CENTRAL
VANDERBURGH...SOUTHERN POSEY...WESTERN HENDERSON AND UNION COUNTIES
THROUGH 1145 PM CDT...
At 1100 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles north of Mount Vernon to 8 miles
northwest of Uniontown to near Shawneetown. Movement was east at 35
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...
Evansville, Henderson, Mount Vernon, Morganfield, Melody Hill,
Breckinridge Center, Uniontown, Corydon, Kasson, Waverly, and Old
Shawneetown.
This includes Interstate 69 in Indiana between Mile Markers 1 and 2,
and between Mile Markers 9 and 12.
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 3783 8757 3764 8773 3761 8777 3764 8821
3784 8810 3789 8804 3789 8801 3791 8802
3806 8785 3805 8747 3804 8747 3803 8745
3801 8745
TIME...MOT...LOC 0400Z 263DEG 31KT 3802 8785 3785 8805 3765 8818
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DWSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1142 PM CDT Fri May 24 2024
KYZ015-018>020-250515-
Henderson KY-Webster KY-McLean KY-Daviess KY-
1142 PM CDT Fri May 24 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WESTERN DAVIESS...SOUTHEASTERN
HENDERSON...NORTHWESTERN MCLEAN AND WEBSTER COUNTIES THROUGH 1215 AM
CDT...
At 1142 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Henderson to near Corydon to near Clay.
Movement was east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Henderson, Sebree, Clay, Dixon, Robards, Stanley, St. Joseph, Beech
Grove, Slaughters, Wheatcroft, and Hebbardsville.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 69 in Kentucky between Mile Markers 128 and 148.
Audubon Parkway between Mile Markers 1 and 21.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3784 8717 3761 8729 3747 8754 3746 8759
3743 8765 3747 8794 3764 8773 3766 8775
3768 8775 3790 8752
TIME...MOT...LOC 0442Z 282DEG 28KT 3783 8750 3767 8767 3752 8788
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RSTSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1214 AM CDT Sat May 25 2024
KYZ016-020-021-250600-
Muhlenberg KY-McLean KY-Hopkins KY-
1214 AM CDT Sat May 25 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MUHLENBERG...
SOUTHEASTERN MCLEAN AND HOPKINS COUNTIES THROUGH 100 AM CDT...
At 1213 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Sebree to 9 miles east of Dixon to near
Providence. Movement was southeast at 30 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...
Madisonville, Earlington, Nortonville, Mortons Gap, Graham, White
Plains, Hanson, Sacramento, Island, St. Charles, Nebo, Slaughters,
Bremen, South Carrollton, and Kirtley.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 69 in Kentucky between Mile Markers 100 and 127.
Western Kentucky Parkway between Mile Markers 39 and 51.
Pennyrile Parkway between Mile Markers 29 and 34.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3736 8713 3727 8719 3713 8733 3716 8733
3716 8736 3713 8737 3713 8750 3738 8775
3746 8759 3749 8750 3757 8738 3746 8710
3738 8710
TIME...MOT...LOC 0513Z 302DEG 27KT 3756 8747 3747 8754 3737 8770
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RSTThe Ft Campbell radar (KHPX), 77 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:26 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
An intense thunderstorm moving through northern Hopkins County downed numerous trees near Otter Lake on Otter Lake Loop, Hummingbird Cove, and Falcon Creek, with one tree falling through a home.
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, May 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: 1181976.