Hail and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, March 15, 2025

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, March 15, 2025
Start: 2025-03-15T01:10
End: 2025-03-15T04:44
Location: Kentucky

March 15, 2025 · NWS PAH · 23 events in 10 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $2.1 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 23

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS PAH wrote it up.

A significant severe weather episode unfolded across west Kentucky in the early morning hours of the 15th, as a line of storms lifted northeast from the Purchase Area through northwest Kentucky. A strong negative-tilt 500mb trough moved northeast from Kansas to the Upper Midwest through the day and into the evening on the 14th. The associated 978mb surface low followed a similar track, and led to a rapid increase in low-level moisture just ahead of a trailing dry line that moved eastward into west Kentucky on the morning of the 15th. The moisture return was sufficient for 1000-2000J/kg of CAPE to develop. Wind fields were strong, but not as strong as they were hours earlier over southeast Missouri where numerous strong tornadoes occurred. Upon entering west Kentucky, those storms transitioned to more of a line and produced more widespread straight line wind damage, mainly to trees and power poles. Eventually, the storms transitioned again to produce very large hail. Golf ball size hail was reported from Ledbetter to Clay to Sebree. Daviess County and Owensboro took the worst hit when baseball size hail blown by 50 mph winds damaged roofs, windows, and siding of numerous homes and other buildings. Countless vehicles were also damaged.

What forecasters said that day

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 Mar 14, 11:52 PM CST, 1 hour 18 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

A Wind Advisory remains in effect through 4 AM for gusts of 40-50 mph.
All modes of significant severe weather are expected with tonight's storms, large hail (2+ inches), damaging winds of 70-80+ mph, and significant tornadoes (EF2+).
Saturday maintains a severe threat during the morning into the early afternoon. All modes of severe remain possible. This is mainly across western KY and southwest IN.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 14, 11:52 PM CST, 1 hour 18 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1252 AM CDT Sat Mar 15 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A Wind Advisory remains in effect through 4 AM for gusts of
  40-50 mph.

- All modes of significant severe weather are expected with tonight's
  storms, large hail (2+ inches), damaging winds of 70-80+ mph,
  and significant tornadoes (EF2+).

- Saturday maintains a severe threat during the morning into the
  early afternoon. All modes of severe remain possible. This is
  mainly across western KY and southwest IN.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 255 PM CDT Fri Mar 14 2025

A strong, negatively tilted 500mb trof will move through the upper
midwest this evening and tonight. A strong 978-976mb sfc low will
track through eastern NE into MN this evening and tonight. We are
warm sectored today throughout the day w/a dry line to our west.
Windy conditions today ahead of this system with gusts of 40-50 mph.
A Wind Advisory is in effect through 4am.

Very concerning situation unfolding tonight with all modes of
significant severe possible. Models are setting up further west and
timing has slowed a little. Dew points are still forecast to surge
northward from southern AR over the next several hours and have a 70-
90% chance of reaching or exceeding 60 degrees. SBCAPE is still
around 1,000-2,000 J/kg. 0-1 km SRH is rather high at around 300+
m2/s2, and 0-3 km SRH is 600+ m2/s2. STP in the HRRR is 7-8. Bulk
shear is 60+ kts. Mid level lapse rates are still rather steep at
7.5-8 degC. Models are still showing a broken line of storms moving
through which means both linear dynamics and supercells are
possible. All hazards are possible wtih 70-80+ mph damaging winds,
large hail (2+ inches), and significant tornadoes (EF2+) some of
which could be long track. These storms will also be moving rather
quickly at around 60-70 mph. Storms are expected to weaken some as
they move further east late tonight as dewpoints drop off and
instability decreases.

How tonight evolves will determine how tomorrow plays out. A
secondary system comes up from the south tomorrow and brings storms
to eastern portions of the area (mainly the KY pennyrile and
southwest IN). The best instability is in the morning to early
afternoon with about 1,000-1,500 J/kg of MUCAPE which is when we
could see severe storms (SPC slight risk). There is also the
possibility for training storms. Some areas could see 1-2" of rain
with flash flooding possible and we are in a slight (level 2 of 4)
for the excessive rainfall outlook.

Behind the cold front with this system highs will fall back into the
50s for Sunday. Upper level ridging builds in early next week and
temperatures then moderate back into the 60s and 70s. Another trof
and sfc low come through on Wednesday bringing more storms to the
area along with a cold front Wednesday night.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1252 AM CDT Sat Mar 15 2025

A line of severe storms produced a 67kt gust at KCGI in the last
hour and that line will continue eastward overnight. Gusts over
50kts will be possible with brief IFR visibilities likely. South
winds will gust 35-45kts ahead of the line overnight. Another
round of showers and storms will spread northward across the
region mainly in the afternoon with more MVFR and even IFR
conditions possible. Showers could linger into the evening with
MVFR conditions.

&&

.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...Wind Advisory until 4 AM CDT early this morning for ILZ075>078-
     080>094.
MO...Wind Advisory until 4 AM CDT early this morning for MOZ076-086-
     087-100-107>112-114.
IN...Wind Advisory until 4 AM CDT /5 AM EDT/ early this morning for
     INZ081-082-085>088.
KY...Wind Advisory until 4 AM CDT early this morning for KYZ001>022.

&&

DISCUSSION...SHAWKEY
AVIATION...DRS

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 14, 3:48 PM CST, 9 hours 22 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
448 PM CDT Fri Mar 14 2025

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-151200-
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-
448 PM CDT Fri Mar 14 2025 /548 PM EDT Fri Mar 14 2025/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Strong gusty winds of 40 to 50 mph are forecast this afternoon
and evening. Refer to the Wind Advisory for additional details.

Widespread thunderstorms are expected this evening into tonight
with the potential for significant severe weather. Hazards
include damaging winds in excess of 70 mph, tornadoes, and large
hail.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

Additional thunderstorms are possible on Saturday, some of which
may be severe with damaging winds, large hail, and a few
tornadoes. This threat is primarily across west Kentucky and
southwest Indiana. Heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding
across west Kentucky on Saturday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters please report any severe weather or damage to the
National Weather Service or local authorities.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 14, 11:32 PM CST, 1 hour 38 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1232 AM CDT Sat Mar 15 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1228 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 WNW Scott City        37.23N 89.58W
03/15/2025  M77 MPH          Scott              MO   ASOS

            ASOS station KCGI Cape Girardeau MO.

&&

DWS

Local storm report, Mar 14, 11:46 PM CST, 1 hour 24 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1246 AM CDT Sat Mar 15 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1236 AM     Tornado          2 E New Hamburg         37.13N 89.56W
03/15/2025                   Scott              MO   Trained Spotter

            Trained spotter reported a tornado just
            north of Benton with power poles down.

&&

DWS

Local storm report, Mar 14, 11:48 PM CST, 1 hour 22 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1248 AM CDT Sat Mar 15 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1240 AM     Tornado          2 N Colp                37.83N 89.08W
03/15/2025                   Williamson         IL   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Tornado reported north of Carterville.

&&

DWS

Local storm report, Mar 14, 11:50 PM CST, 1 hour 20 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1250 AM CDT Sat Mar 15 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1212 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     8 W Pinckneyville       38.08N 89.53W
03/15/2025                   Perry              IL   Emergency Mngr

            Power poles reported down on Highway 154.
            Time estimated from radar.

&&

DWS

Local storm report, Mar 15, 12:45 AM CST, 25 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
145 AM CDT Sat Mar 15 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0141 AM     Hail             1 E Howardville         36.57N 89.58W
03/15/2025  E1.50 Inch       New Madrid         MO   Public

            Report from mPING: Ping Pong Ball (1.50
            in.).

&&

Local storm report, Mar 15, 12:58 AM CST, 12 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
158 AM CDT Sat Mar 15 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0131 AM     Tornado          4 SSE New Burnside      37.53N 88.75W
03/15/2025                   Johnson            IL   Trained Spotter

            Severe damage to a home on Gilead Church
            Road. No injuries.

&&

KEC

The radar

The Paducah radar (KPAH), 40 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 07:07 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

13 hail, 10 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Carlisle

When: March 15, 1:10 AM CST
Where: Carlisle County, 2.66 mi NNW of Berkeley
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.837, -89.113

Nickel size hail fell in Bardwell.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carlisle

When: March 15, 1:15 AM CST
Where: Carlisle County, 0.97 mi W of Arlington
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.782, -89.037

A tree was blown down across Highway 80 near County Road 1210 just west of Arlington.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ballard

When: March 15, 1:16 AM CST
Where: Ballard County, 1.72 mi SSW of Wickliffe
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.946, -89.088

A tree was blown across Highway 51 near the paper mill south of Wickliffe.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carlisle

When: March 15, 1:17 AM CST
Where: Carlisle County, 3.55 mi SSW of Magee Spgs
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.876, -88.954

A tree was blown down across the intersection of County Roads 1935 and 1001 east of Bardwell.

Hail, Hickman

When: March 15, 1:20 AM CST
Where: Hickman County, 0.69 mi N of South Columbus
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 36.760, -89.100

Quarter size hail occurred in Columbus.

Thunderstorm Wind, McCracken

When: March 15, 1:25 AM CST
Where: McCracken County, 1.57 mi W of Massac
Measured: 78 kt (90 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 37.023, -88.708

Multiple trees were blown down near North Gum Springs Road and Lovelaceville west of Lone Oak.

Thunderstorm Wind, McCracken

When: March 15, 1:25 AM CST
Where: McCracken County, 0.68 mi ESE of Maxon
Measured: 78 kt (90 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 37.076, -88.719

Several large tree limbs were blown down and one tree was uprooted near Maxon Road and Keaton Road west of Paducah.

Thunderstorm Wind, McCracken

When: March 15, 1:26 AM CST
Where: McCracken County, 1.23 mi SSW of Avondale Hgts
Measured: 78 kt (90 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.053, -88.678

A tree was blown down across North Friendship Road near Guyline Road in Lone Oak.

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: March 15, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Union County, 0.88 mi NW of Pride
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $60,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.560, -87.910

A double wide mobile home was knocked off of its foundation and the roof was ripped off just west of Pride. A large barn was also destroyed in this area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: March 15, 2:07 AM CST
Where: Union County, 0.69 mi N of Sturgis Muni Arpt
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 37.540, -87.950

Gust measured by the AWOS at Sturgis Municipal Airport (KTWT).

Hail, McCracken

When: March 15, 2:15 AM CST
Where: McCracken County, 0.69 mi N of Lone Oak
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.040, -88.670

Quarter size hail occurred just southwest of Paducah in Lone Oak.

Thunderstorm Wind, Henderson

When: March 15, 2:20 AM CST
Where: Henderson County, 1.57 mi W of Zion
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 37.821, -87.509

Gust measured at Kentucky Mesonet site GRHM five miles east of Henderson.

Thunderstorm Wind, Henderson

When: March 15, 2:24 AM CST
Where: Henderson County, Robards
Measured: 78 kt (90 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.670, -87.550

Power lines were knocked down near Robards.

Hail, Livingston

When: March 15, 2:28 AM CST
Where: Livingston County, 1.1 mi W of Ledbetter
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.050, -88.500

Golfball size hail occurred near Ledbetter.

Hail, Webster

When: March 15, 2:40 AM CST
Where: Webster County, 0.55 mi E of Clay
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.480, -87.820

Quarter size hail fell in Clay for thirty to fourty-five seconds.

Hail, Webster

When: March 15, 3:02 AM CST
Where: Webster County, 2.05 mi N of Sebree
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.629, -87.524

Golf ball size hail fell along Highway 41 near the feed mill north of Sebree.

Hail, McLean

When: March 15, 3:04 AM CST
Where: McLean County, 1.78 mi WSW of Comer
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.620, -87.480

Golfball size hail occurred along Highway 56 near the Webster county line.

Hail, Henderson

When: March 15, 3:35 AM CST
Where: Henderson County, 2.38 mi S of Euterpe
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 37.686, -87.453

Golf ball size hail fell south of Niagara.

Hail, Daviess

When: March 15, 3:42 AM CST to 4:02 AM CST
Where: Daviess County, 0.88 mi NW of Doyle to 0.54 mi WSW of Maple Mt
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Property damage: $2.0 million
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 37.760, -87.080

A severe storm produced a swath of hail up to the size of baseballs and wind gusts up to 50 mph from near St Joseph through the south and east sides of Owensboro. The area of Cummins Road just south of St Joseph sustained the most significant damage. Several homes sustained broken siding and windows, as well as roof damage. The storm continued to damage roofs and break windows as it passed near Panther Creek Park and through the south and east sides of Owensboro. Scores of vehicles sustained damage.

Hail, Daviess

When: March 15, 3:46 AM CST
Where: Daviess County, 1.29 mi ENE of Sorgho
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.760, -87.230

Ping pong ball size hail occurred near Sorgho.

Hail, McLean

When: March 15, 4:02 AM CST
Where: McLean County, 0.55 mi E of Poverty
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 37.570, -87.320

Ping pong ball size hail in Poverty, northwest of Calhoun.

Hail, Daviess

When: March 15, 4:10 AM CST
Where: Daviess County, 0.88 mi NE of Knottsville
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.780, -86.890

Ping pong ball size hail occurred just northeast of Knottsville on Highway 951.

Hail, Daviess

When: March 15, 4:44 AM CST
Where: Daviess County, 0.69 mi N of Masonville
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.680, -87.030

Half dollar size hail fell in Masonville.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kentucky in 2025 Every state in 2025 This day in weather history Warnings in Kentucky, March 2025

Sources

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: 1248023, 1248063, 1248052, 1248069, 1247217, 1247242, 1247243, 1247244, 1247245, 1247251, 1247218, 1248089, 1247248, 1247215, 1247219, 1248108, 1247220, 1248121, 1247230, 1247221, 1247227, 1247231, 1247232.