Kentucky, 2025

Damaging Winds in Kentucky, September 22, 2025

September 22, 2025 · NWS RLX · 6 events in 3 counties and zones

A line of scattered thunderstorms moved through eastern Kentucky on the afternoon of September 22nd in response to a passing disturbance that stirred up diurnally driven convection. Storms that afternoon were capable of producing strong to damaging winds, which resulted in downed trees and power lines across parts of Greenup, Boyd, and Carter Counties.

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

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$15,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
6

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 RLX wrote it up.

A line of scattered thunderstorms moved through eastern Kentucky on the afternoon of September 22nd in response to a passing disturbance that stirred up diurnally driven convection. Storms that afternoon were capable of producing strong to damaging winds, which resulted in downed trees and power lines across parts of Greenup, Boyd, and Carter Counties. Activity quickly swept east of the Ohio River for the remainder of the afternoon and evening before dissipating altogether.

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 Charleston, WV wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 22, 4:38 PM EST, 1 hour 1 minute earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 22, 4:38 PM EST, 1 hour 1 minute before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Charleston WV
538 PM EDT Mon Sep 22 2025

.SYNOPSIS...
Strong to severe storms are possible into early tonight, mainly across
SE OH, NE KY, and the western lowlands of WV. Stormy conditions continue
through the week as multiple disturbances affect the area.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 520 PM Monday...

Isolated to scattered (garden variety) showers/storms have
developed this afternoon across the CWA amid modest buoyancy and
weak forcing. Further west, activity has blossomed significantly
over the last hour or two in advance of a shortwave trough amid
increased mid-level flow of ~35-45kts per KILN and KLVX VAD
Wind Profiles. This activity should continue to progressively
shift eastward, moving into the western portion of the CWA
within the next hour or two. The primary threat continues to be
strong to damaging wind gusts, along with heavy downpours.
Given current translational velocity of ~35-45kts, wind gusts
of 40-50 mph are currently common along this line, with
localized gusts up to 60 mph or slightly higher given any
bowing features / line surges. The current expectation is for
this activity to hold together into at least the western portion
of the CWA, and then gradually weaken further east given some
remnant cold pools from earlier activity combined with loss of
daytime heating. Given some turning with height, a brief spinup
is not out of the question. Additionally, a highly localized
high water issue or two remains possible given any training of
storms. Have modified PoPs over the next few hours to represent
the latest trends.

As of 125 PM Monday...

The near term period will continue to be active, with a moist
southwesterly flow in place, and multiple waves traversing the
region, helping to kick off rounds of showers and storms. Bulk of
activity still looks to be in the afternoon and evening hours, and
across SE OH, NE KY and the Mid-Ohio Valley region, however,
models are indicating another wave crossing in the
overnight Monday/early morning hours on Tuesday for another
round of activity. Storms will contain brief heavy downpours as
PW values surge well above seasonal norms. Isolated strong to
severe storms will also be possible on Monday, with ample
instability and shear on the order of 30-40 kts. Damaging winds
will be the primary hazard with any convection on Monday.
Tuesday will continue to be active across the area as additional
shortwaves continue to traverse the area. An isolated strong to
severe storm will also be possible on Tuesday, although chances
look to be somewhat low at this point.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
As of 125 PM Monday...

Wednesday and Thursday look to continue to be very active across the
area as low pressure across central U.S. phases with a low over the
Great Lakes region, eventually carving out a trough to our west.
Pieces of energy moving northeast through the region will keep a
continuation of the showery/stormy weather going, with some much
needed rain for the area.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 125 PM Monday...

The extended period continues to remain rather uncertain, with day
to day variations in the overall pattern seen between each
subsequent model run. However, overall consensus is for the upper
trough to push east of the area, with somewhat drier weather taking
hold for the weekend.

&&

.AVIATION /20Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 125 PM Monday...

Scattered showers and thunderstorms across the area during the
TAF period, with brief MVFR/IFR conditions and strong gusty
winds in vicinity of storms. Bulk of activity is expected
generally occur 20Z Monday through 03Z Tuesday, with the
potential for a resurgence in activity 08Z through 15Z Tuesday.

Outside of convection this afternoon and evening, mainly VFR
conditions are expected through 04Z Tuesday, when widespread
MVFR and local IFR conditions are expected to take hold in low
ceilings, along with the potential resurgence in thunderstorm
activity 08Z through 15Z Tuesday which will also lead to flight
restrictions.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY...

FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium.

ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing of convection this afternoon and
evening may vary from forecast. More widespread IFR conditions
may occur overnight and early Tuesday than currently forecast.

EXPERIMENTAL TABLE OF FLIGHT CATEGORY OBJECTIVELY SHOWS CONSISTENCY
OF WFO FORECAST TO AVAILABLE MODEL INFORMATION:
H = HIGH:   TAF CONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL.
M = MEDIUM: TAF HAS VARYING LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY WITH MODELS.
L = LOW:    TAF INCONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL.

UTC 1HRLY       21   22   23   00   01   02   03   04   05   06   07   08
EDT 1HRLY       17   18   19   20   21   22   23   00   01   02   03   04
CRW CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    H    H    H    M    H    H    H    H
HTS CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    H    H    H    M    H    M    M    H
BKW CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    M    H    H
EKN CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    H    H    H    M    H    M    L    M
PKB CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    M    M    M    H    M    M    H    M
CKB CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    H    H    M    H    H    H    H    H

AFTER 18Z TUESDAY...
Brief periods of IFR conditions are possible with heavier
showers or thunderstorms throughout the week. IFR is also
possible at night with low stratus and/or fog.

&&

.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...None.
OH...None.
KY...None.
VA...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...SL
NEAR TERM...SL/GW
SHORT TERM...SL
LONG TERM...SL
AVIATION...SL

The radar

The Cincinnati radar (KILN), 108 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:36 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Greenup

When
September 22, 5:39 PM EST
Where
Greenup County, Kings Addition
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
38.720, -82.950

A tree on school property fell onto the roadway and onto parked vehicles.

Thunderstorm Wind, Boyd

When
September 22, 5:40 PM EST
Where
Boyd County, 1.28 mi WNW of Ironville
Measured
45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Utility Company
Coordinates
38.460, -82.720

Tree damage in the Ironville area resulted in 571 customers to be without power.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carter

When
September 22, 5:52 PM EST
Where
Carter County, 1.48 mi SSW of Pactolus
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$250
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
38.350, -82.940

A tree was blown down onto Route 7 north of Grayson.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carter

When
September 22, 5:57 PM EST
Where
Carter County, 1.29 mi ESE of Grayson
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$500
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
38.320, -82.930

A tree blew down along South State Highway One in Grayson.

Thunderstorm Wind, Boyd

When
September 22, 6:10 PM EST to 6:13 PM EST
Where
Boyd County, 0.54 mi W of Ironville to 1.08 mi E of Winslow
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
38.450, -82.710

In Ironville, a tree blew down onto State Route 5. Additional trees and power lines were blown down in Ashland.

Thunderstorm Wind, Boyd

When
September 22, 6:52 PM EST
Where
Boyd County, 1.76 mi SE of Ashland
Measured
45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
38.450, -82.610

A tree and adjacent power lines fell onto a residence on Clay Street.

What these are

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

More

Every storm in Kentucky in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, September 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: 1289218, 1289221, 1289219, 1289220, 1291686, 1289222.