A cold front moved into the mid-Mississippi Valley during the morning hours on May 2nd. Ahead of this front, scattered showers and thunderstorms grew upscale into a broken line, with storms intensifying as they encountered a moist, unstable environment across southern Indiana.
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 LMK wrote it up.
A cold front moved into the mid-Mississippi Valley during the morning hours on May 2nd. Ahead of this front, scattered showers and thunderstorms grew upscale into a broken line, with storms intensifying as they encountered a moist, unstable environment across southern Indiana. Temperatures in the low-to-mid 70s allowed for around 1000-1500 J/kg MLCAPE to develop, though instability was lower across southern Indiana compared to areas to the south. As a result, severe weather was fairly isolated with this event, with isolated wind damage observed from a cluster of cells which moved along the Ohio River.
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 Louisville, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 2, 2:12 PM EST, 29 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Louisville KY 312 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... * Severe storms are expected this afternoon into the early evening hours, with gusty winds and hail being the primary hazards. * Unsettled weather continues into the weekend, with showers and thunderstorms expected again on Saturday. An isolated severe storm will be possible in the Lake Cumberland region, but elsewhere severe storms are not expected. * Showers should become more widely scattered on Sunday afternoon, and the chance for storms will be much lower. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/... Issued at 308 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025 A couple rounds of storms will cross the region late this afternoon and early this evening in a diurnally destabilized atmosphere ahead of a subtle 5H disturbance crossing the mid-Mississippi Valley. These storms, especially with the first wave, will continue to be capable of strong gusty winds and severe hail as they move through. Showers and non-severe storms will continue into tonight as low pressure rides up a stationary front stretched from the upper Ohio Valley to the central Gulf coast. On Saturday the surface low will drift very slowly across central and eastern Kentucky as a Midwestern 500mb shortwave trough begins to tighten into an upper circulation over the lower Ohio Valley by evening. This will result in continued showers and thunderstorms, though a lack of significant instability will keep convection sub- severe. Convergence along the surface baroclinic zone may result in a corridor of enhanced rainfall amounts tomorrow from the Bowling Green region northeastward towards Cincinnati. This is reflected in WPC QPF and ECMWF EFI data. Currently it looks like rainfall amounts around 1 to 1.50 inches will be possible in this corridor. These amounts are well below flash flood guidance, but training along this stripe of heavier rain could lead to minor water issues in a few spots that collect water easily. The clouds and rain will suppress temperatures tomorrow, with afternoon highs in the 60s...five to ten degrees below normal. Went on the cool side of guidance. And with that, after 33 years in the National Weather Service, having written thousands of forecast discussions, this is my final AFD. From Garden City, KS (GCK), to Columbia, MO (COU), to Fort Wayne, Indiana (FWA), to Northern Indiana (IWX), and, finally, here at Louisville for the past 20 years, I have been truly fortunate to have worked alongside so many talented, intelligent, kind people. I've loved weather since I was 4 years old, fascinated by the flashing lightning, roaring thunder, and sheets of rain as powerful Midwestern thunderstorms moved through my town. Growing up I kept weather journals, got weather calendars every year for Christmas, and received my first NOAA Weather Radio at the age of 11. I volunteered for my local NWS office, went to school, and got my degree. Serving the American people day and night by providing valuable forecast and storm information has been an incredible honor. As a kid it was my dream to someday work for the National Weather Service, and my dream came true. If you have a dream, don't give up. Work hard, persevere, and go for it. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... Issued at 308 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025 Saturday Night through Monday... A weak low pressure system will continue to move through the Lower OH Valley in the long term. The parent trough over the region eventually develops a closed low aloft. These features will allow moisture and precip to wrap around the low pressure while slowly moving off to the northeast. This will keep PoPs over southern Indiana and Kentucky through most of the weekend. However, while the low wraps up, there will be a dry slot over central Kentucky, where precip will likely hold off from Saturday night through Sunday early afternoon. Sunday afternoon and evening, showers will wrap around and become scattered to mostly scattered over the region. With the trough overhead, skies will be mostly overcast through the weekend and temperatures will be below normal in the mid 60s for highs and low 50s for lows. Monday Night through Tuesday... The upper low will begin to push off to the northeast Monday night, slowly bringing shower chances with it. PoPs will taper off Monday night. A weak, brief surface high pressure will move over the region on Tuesday, helping to keep conditions dry. Temperatures will return to near normal. Mid-to-Late Next Week... Recent runs of medium-range guidance are fairly consistent with the large scale features during the second half of next week, with another closed upper low expected to meander from the southwest U.S. into the central Plains. On the east side of this system, moisture will begin to increase into the region from the SW by next Wednesday. How much moisture makes it into the Ohio Valley will be dependent on how far east the closed low makes it, and it is still possible that the upper high could keep the richer moisture to the SW. If the higher sfc dewpoints and PW values make it into the area, we would return to an unsettled pattern with daily afternoon and evening shower/storm chances. Given a lack of strong mid-/upper- flow, any storms should be of the garden variety, with limited severe impacts. Temperatures are currently expected to be fairly spring-like mid-to-late next week, with highs in the mid-to-upper 70s and lows in the 50s. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 119 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025 Wave of storms over western Kentucky and west Tennessee will head northeast and impact the TAF sites this afternoon/early evening. These storms may be quite strong, especially at BWG/LEX/RGA, with strong wind gusts and possibly some hail in the most robust cores. There is also the chance of scattered storms popping up ahead of that wave, though any of these pop-ups would be relatively small and weak compared to the later storms. A second line of storms may graze BWG early this evening. Behind the storms, showers will continue through the night with lowering ceilings. Cigs in current TAF package may be a bit on the pessimistic side, but there is decent model agreement and there should be plenty of low level moisture available so went ahead and included IFR cloud base heights at BWG and low-end MVFR numbers at the other airports. Wind direction late tonight into tomorrow morning is a question mark as a wave of surface low pressure moves through, but speeds should be fairly light at any rate. && .LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KY...None. IN...None. && SHORT TERM...13 (Reaugh) LONG TERM...SRW AVIATION...13 (Reaugh)
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Louisville KY 321 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025 INZ084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-066-067-031930- Crawford-Perry-Harrison IN-Floyd-Clark IN-Hancock-Breckinridge-Meade- Ohio-Grayson-Hardin-Bullitt-Jefferson-Oldham-Trimble-Henry-Shelby- Franklin-Scott KY-Harrison KY-Spencer-Anderson-Woodford-Fayette- Bourbon-Nicholas-Nelson-Washington KY-Mercer-Jessamine-Clark KY- Larue-Marion-Boyle-Garrard-Madison-Casey-Lincoln- 321 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025 /221 PM CDT Fri May 2 2025/ ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 213 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT /8 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Indiana and central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Severe storms are expected this afternoon and early evening. Damaging winds and hail are the main threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Rounds of showers with some storms are likely for Saturday. Gusty winds and heavy downpours will be possible in the strongest storms. Isolated minor flooding is possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is needed this evening until about 9pm EDT. GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY: Storms this afternoon and evening will move to the northeast around 30 to 40 mph. Any users of this storm motion must be aware that thunderstorm activity can be erratic and constantly evolving. Please use this with caution and be prepared for changing conditions. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville. INZ076>079-083-031930- Orange-Washington IN-Scott IN-Jefferson IN-Dubois- 321 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Indiana and central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Scattered storms can be expected this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Rounds of showers with some storms are likely for Saturday. Gusty winds and heavy downpours will be possible in the strongest storms. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY: Storms this afternoon and evening will move to the northeast around 30 to 40 mph. Any users of this storm motion must be aware that thunderstorm activity can be erratic and constantly evolving. Please use this with caution and be prepared for changing conditions. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville. KYZ061>065-070>078-081-082-031930- Butler-Edmonson-Hart-Green-Taylor-Logan-Warren-Simpson-Allen-Barren- Monroe-Metcalfe-Adair-Russell-Cumberland-Clinton- 321 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025 /221 PM CDT Fri May 2 2025/ ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 209 IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT /5 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Indiana and central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Severe storms are expected this afternoon and early evening. Damaging winds and hail are the main threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Rounds of showers with some storms are likely for Saturday. Gusty winds and heavy downpours will be possible in the strongest storms. Isolated minor flooding is possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is needed until about 5pm CDT this evening. GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY: Storms this afternoon and evening will move to the northeast around 30 to 40 mph. Any users of this storm motion must be aware that thunderstorm activity can be erratic and constantly evolving. Please use this with caution and be prepared for changing conditions. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville. 13
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Louisville KY
307 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0239 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 NNE Pellville 37.81N 86.80W
05/02/2025 Hancock KY 911 Call Center
Multiple trees down near Joe Powers Road and
State Route 2181.
&&
SRWPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Louisville KY
313 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0310 PM Hail Horse Cave 37.18N 85.91W
05/02/2025 E1.00 Inch Hart KY Public
Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
&&
AMSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
215 PM CDT Fri May 2 2025
KYZ063-064-074-076-077-021945-
Hart KY-Metcalfe KY-Barren KY-Adair KY-Green KY-
215 PM CDT Fri May 2 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN GREEN...
SOUTHEASTERN HART...NORTHEASTERN BARREN...WEST CENTRAL ADAIR AND
NORTHWESTERN METCALFE COUNTIES THROUGH 245 PM CDT...
At 214 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Three Springs, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel 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...
Greensburg, Munfordville, Three Springs, Monroe, Horse Cave, Pickett,
Rowletts, Little Barren, Node, and Donansburg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 PM CDT for
south central and central Kentucky.
&&
LAT...LON 3705 8591 3726 8592 3733 8546 3707 8546
TIME...MOT...LOC 1914Z 264DEG 34KT 3718 8582
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
BJSPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Louisville KY
323 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0302 PM Hail 1 NNW Cave City 37.16N 85.98W
05/02/2025 M1.00 Inch Hart KY Public
Called a Horse Farm north of Cave City and
they reported Quarter sized hail and some
slightly larger.
&&
SRWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
329 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
INZ090-091-KYZ024-025-028>030-022015-
Floyd IN-Harrison IN-Jefferson KY-Bullitt KY-Meade KY-Hardin KY-
Breckinridge KY-
329 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN HARRISON...SOUTH CENTRAL
FLOYD...SOUTHEASTERN MEADE...SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON...BULLITT...EAST
CENTRAL BRECKINRIDGE AND NORTHERN HARDIN COUNTIES THROUGH 415 PM
EDT/315 PM CDT/...
At 329 PM EDT/229 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of
strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 8 miles south of
Corydon to near Brandenburg to 16 miles northwest of Elizabethtown.
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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Louisville, Shively, Shepherdsville, Brandenburg, Pioneer Village,
Audubon Park, Watterson Park, Lynnview, Parkway Village, and
Hollyvilla.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT/800 PM
CDT/ for south central Indiana...and central Kentucky.
&&
LAT...LON 3827 8576 3827 8574 3810 8560 3783 8568
3775 8621 3795 8615 3811 8626 3828 8577
TIME...MOT...LOC 1929Z 250DEG 31KT 3809 8616 3798 8607 3785 8611
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
RJSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
234 PM CDT Fri May 2 2025
KYZ074>076-081-022000-
Metcalfe KY-Monroe KY-Cumberland KY-Barren KY-
234 PM CDT Fri May 2 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT MONROE...CUMBERLAND...
SOUTHEASTERN BARREN AND SOUTHWESTERN METCALFE COUNTIES THROUGH 300 PM
CDT...
At 234 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms near Tompkinsville, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Tompkinsville, Burkesville, Leslie, Gamaliel, Littrell, Meshack,
Modoc, Gum Tree, Blythe, and Harlan Crossroads.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 500 PM CDT for
south central Kentucky.
&&
LAT...LON 3663 8596 3686 8584 3688 8525 3665 8528
3663 8530 3661 8557
TIME...MOT...LOC 1934Z 219DEG 12KT 3666 8558
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
BJSThe Louisville radar (KLVX), 34 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:41 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
INDOT site IN040 1.9 N Corydon measured a 62 mph wind gust.
A horse trailer and a camper were blown over near the intersection of State Road 135 and Heidelberg Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Indiana, May 2025
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: 1262002, 1262001.