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 Louisville, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 1, 2:44 PM EST, 32 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- * Showers and thunderstorms continue this afternoon and evening, especially along and north of Interstate 64. A few strong to severe storms will be possible, with damaging winds and small hail being the main threats. * Breezy and mainly dry conditions are expected Thursday, with wind gusts of 25-35 mph expected. * Above normal temperatures continue through Saturday, with highs in the upper 70s and low-to-mid 80s. * Rain returns Saturday afternoon with cool, dry and calm weather expected for early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 1, 2:44 PM EST, 32 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
344 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
* Showers and thunderstorms continue this afternoon and evening,
especially along and north of Interstate 64. A few strong to
severe storms will be possible, with damaging winds and small hail
being the main threats.
* Breezy and mainly dry conditions are expected Thursday, with wind
gusts of 25-35 mph expected.
* Above normal temperatures continue through Saturday, with highs in
the upper 70s and low-to-mid 80s.
* Rain returns Saturday afternoon with cool, dry and calm weather
expected for early next week.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 343 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
A weakening cold front extends roughly parallel to the Ohio River
across southern IL, IN, and OH this afternoon. Across this frontal
zone, there is a strong gradient in temperatures and moisture, with
winds also shifting from southwesterly on the warm side of the front
to northeasterly on the cool side of the front. While this gradient
is just north of our southern Indiana counties, short-range model
guidance shows most if not all of our CWA remaining within the warm
sector this afternoon and evening, leading to the potential for
strong to severe thunderstorms.
Within the warm sector, temperatures are expected to rise into the
upper 70s and low 80s this afternoon, with sfc dewpoints progged to
remain in the low-to-mid 60s. While the mid- and upper-level
temperatures should remain relatively warm, this amount of near-sfc
warmth and moisture will be enough for around 1500-2000 J/kg of
MLCAPE to develop during the peak heating hours. With instability
expected to be plentiful, the main limiting factor for convection
this afternoon will be the triggering mechanism which will primarily
be associated with the cold front. Storms have already developed
across southern IN this morning, and as outflow from these storms
combines with the gradual southward push of the cold front,
additional storms will be possible closer to the I-64 corridor.
Farther south in southern KY, there will be almost as much
instability as areas to the north; however, the lack of a well-
defined trigger is expected to limit the coverage of storms this
afternoon and evening.
Looking at the potential for strong to severe storms, while the
instability portion of the parameter space is certainly sufficient
for severe convection, wind shear is less robust, with deep-layer
shear more akin to a late spring or summertime setup than one in
early April. A belt of 40-50 kt of SW flow at 500 mb will gradually
weaken later this afternoon and evening, with deep-layer shear
generally around 25 kt. These values are more marginal for organized
storms, but should be sufficient for a couple strong to severe
storms, especially as you go farther to the north and east.
The primary severe threat this afternoon and evening should be
gusty, possibly damaging straight-line winds in taller/more robust
storms. Since mid-level lapse rates are only expected around 6-6.5
degrees C/km with freezing heights around 10k ft, the thermodynamic
environment will be only marginally supportive for severe hail,
though several taller storms with small hail will be possible. SPC
has included a portion of the CWA in a 2% tornado risk, although
there is considerable uncertainty with this as LCLs are expected to
remain fairly high (1000-1250 m) and llvl wind shear is expected to
be relatively modest. The main time for any strong to severe storms
should be between 2 PM and 8 PM EDT. While showers and storms may
continue into the late evening hours, especially north of I-64,
waning instability and continually weakening shear should curtail
the severe storm threat.
Later tonight, another upper-level trough and near-sfc low pressure
system will eject from SW to NE across the Plains. As it does so,
heights aloft over the Ohio Valley should rise with the remnants of
the sfc cold front expected to lift back to the north toward I-70.
This should lead to a dry second half of the overnight hours, with
a resurgent shot of SW flow expected into Thursday morning.
Tomorrow, the aforementioned upper wave is expected to cut to the
northeast across the upper Mississippi Valley and into the Great
Lakes. Its associated sfc low will follow a similar path, resulting
in the warm sector building back to the north across the Ohio
Valley. A stronger low- and mid-level jet will move mainly to the NW
of the region; however, flow should be strong enough that wind gusts
of 25-35 mph along with scattered 40 mph gusts will be likely as we
mix deeper during the late morning and afternoon hours. Temperatures
will be unseasonably warm again tomorrow, with highs expected in the
low-to-mid 80s.
Thursday night, the cold front will move closer to the region,
though the strongest forcing with the system is expected to be
lifting to the north of the area. As a result, while a few storms
may approach our southern IN counties, the chance for rain and
storms Thursday night continues to look less likely, especially east
of I-65. Temperatures should again be mild with lows in the mid-to-
upper 60s.
&&
.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 343 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
Friday morning, clouds will linger with spotty showers or storms
before mid morning, with current trends indicating rainfall totals
will most likely (90%) remain under a tenth of an inch. Near record
to record-breaking warm morning lows ranging in the low to mid-60s
are expected. An approaching cold front Friday morning will weaken
and stall as it moves in from the west, meaning that any showers or
storms will be light and short lived. Even though morning showers
will end, moisture advection from the Gulf will keep dewpoints near
60. Boosted by a warm front, a chance of showers or storms can't be
ruled out. Any severe threat will be limited it seems, even noting
the SPC's outlook for Friday with general non-severe storms being
possible. Highs will be well above-normal, ranging from the upper
70s to mid 80s. Clouds linger into the overnight with near record
warm lows possible Saturday morning ranging in the low to mid 60s.
Saturday morning clouds linger still in anticipation of a stronger
cold front that will move in later in the afternoon/evening hours. A
couple showers or storms are possible (<10%), though most rain will
arrive later in the day. Highs on Saturday will remain warm though
western areas may remain cooler than eastern areas if the cold front
moves in earlier, limiting daytime heating potential. Temperatures
will range in the mid 70s west and low 80s in the east, mainly east
of I-65. There's still uncertainty with the timing of the front,
being possible it may not bring showers or storms to areas east of I-
65 until late Saturday night. Rainfall totals seem to be near 0.5 -
0.75", though more is possible if there are embedded storms along
the front. Eventually, the front will clear eastern areas by early
Sunday morning with cooler, drier air moving in place.
With drier air moving in Sunday morning, dewpoints will fall and
feel more like Spring instead of Summer. Skies will clear Sunday
with highs in the mid to upper 50s. Northwest winds and a surface
high pressure will dominate throughout the day and usher in chilly
lows into Monday morning, ranging in the low to mid 40s. The high
pressure sticks around through early next week as well, as highs
remain cooler in the low to mid 60s Monday, then cooling into the
upper 50s again Tuesday afternoon. As long as the high pressure
remains close by through early next week, dry weather will continue
as well.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 156 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
Scattered showers and thunderstorms have developed across the area
this afternoon, with the greatest coverage between SDF and HNB at
this hour. Given the popcorn-like nature of storms this afternoon
and evening, confidence in timing is relatively low, but a PROB30 or
TEMPO mention of storm chances is included at all sites. Main
impacts from storms would be gusty winds and MVFR/brief IFR VIS in
heavier rain cores. The gradient SW winds should become lighter this
evening and back toward the SE, with VFR conditions expected
overnight tonight. Thursday morning, gusty S/SW winds should return
with sustained 12-18 kt winds with 25-30 kt gusts likely during the
late morning and afternoon.
&&
.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...None.
IN...None.
&&
SHORT TERM...CSG
LONG TERM...BKF
AVIATION...CSG
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 1, 2:48 PM EST, 28 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Louisville KY
348 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067-
070>078-081-082-022000-
Orange-Washington IN-Scott IN-Jefferson IN-Dubois-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-Butler-Edmonson-Hart-Green-Taylor-Casey-
Lincoln-Logan-Warren-Simpson-Allen-Barren-Monroe-Metcalfe-Adair-
Russell-Cumberland-Clinton-
348 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026 /248 PM CDT Wed Apr 1 2026/
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Indiana
and central Kentucky.
.DAY ONE...Tonight.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue this
afternoon and evening before diminishing after sunset. Gusty winds
will be the main threat with any stronger storms, with small hail
also possible.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.
No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:
Storms this afternoon and evening will move from southwest to
northeast at 25 to 35 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.
CSG
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Apr 1, 2:02 PM EST, 1 hour 14 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
302 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
INZ090-091-KYZ030-011930-
Floyd IN-Harrison IN-Jefferson KY-
302 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN HARRISON...SOUTH
CENTRAL FLOYD AND WEST CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTIES THROUGH 330 PM
EDT...
At 302 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Corydon, moving 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...
Shively, Valley Station, St. Dennis, Pleasure Ridge Par, Pleasure
Ridge Park, Fairdale, Lanesville, Elizabeth, New Middletown, and
Laconia.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Louisville.
&&
LAT...LON 3829 8587 3810 8578 3801 8610 3802 8611
3801 8615 3816 8622
TIME...MOT...LOC 1902Z 248DEG 32KT 3812 8609
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
WebbSpecial weather statement, Apr 1, 2:27 PM EST, 49 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
327 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
INZ076-084-012000-
Crawford IN-Orange IN-
327 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CRAWFORD AND SOUTHEASTERN ORANGE
COUNTIES THROUGH 400 PM EDT...
At 326 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
English, moving northeast 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...
English, Marengo, Milltown, Riceville, Ethel, Trotter Crossing,
Valeene, Pine Valley, Taswell, and Bacon.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Louisville.
&&
LAT...LON 3852 8637 3844 8631 3843 8631 3842 8629
3837 8626 3836 8625 3835 8625 3836 8627
3835 8628 3835 8627 3832 8628 3822 8657
3826 8657 3826 8665 3834 8668 3836 8668
TIME...MOT...LOC 1926Z 239DEG 27KT 3834 8652
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
WebbSpecial weather statement, Apr 1, 2:49 PM EST, 27 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
349 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
INZ079-KYZ032-012015-
Jefferson IN-Trimble KY-
349 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON AND
NORTHWESTERN TRIMBLE COUNTIES THROUGH 415 PM EDT...
At 348 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Madison, moving northeast 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...
Madison, Hanover, Milton, Brooksburg, Canaan, North Madison,
Ringwald, Manville, China, and Hanover Beach.
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 3869 8520 3870 8522 3873 8524 3874 8527
3874 8533 3872 8532 3866 8526 3864 8534
3870 8547 3891 8536 3892 8520
TIME...MOT...LOC 1948Z 221DEG 25KT 3874 8536
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
PadgettSpecial weather statement, Apr 1, 2:59 PM EST, 17 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
359 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
KYZ035-039-040-046>048-012045-
Mercer KY-Woodford KY-Jessamine KY-Franklin KY-Washington KY-
Anderson KY-
359 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MERCER...CENTRAL
WOODFORD...ANDERSON...NORTHWESTERN JESSAMINE...NORTHEASTERN
WASHINGTON AND SOUTH CENTRAL FRANKLIN COUNTIES THROUGH 445 PM EDT...
At 359 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles southwest of Lawrenceburg, moving northeast at 30 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...
Lawrenceburg, Versailles, Ballard, Oregon, Bondville, Dugansville,
Anderson City, Glensboro, Johnsonville, and Seaville.
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 3781 8508 3792 8516 3797 8517 3798 8517
3817 8479 3798 8464
TIME...MOT...LOC 1959Z 241DEG 28KT 3793 8506
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
MJSpecial weather statement, Apr 1, 3:01 PM EST, 15 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
401 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
INZ078-079-KYZ032-012030-
Jefferson IN-Scott IN-Trimble KY-
401 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT JEFFERSON...EAST CENTRAL SCOTT
AND NORTHWESTERN TRIMBLE COUNTIES THROUGH 430 PM EDT...
At 401 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms 9 miles southwest of Madison, moving northeast at 45
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...
Madison, Lexington, Hanover, Saluda, Smyrna, Milton, Kent,
Brooksburg, Wakefield, and Canaan.
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 3891 8520 3869 8520 3870 8522 3873 8524
3874 8527 3874 8533 3873 8533 3866 8526
3859 8548 3859 8550 3861 8550 3861 8561
3867 8564 3874 8564 3889 8544 3891 8538
TIME...MOT...LOC 2001Z 242DEG 40KT 3868 8555
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
PadgettSpecial weather statement, Apr 1, 3:07 PM EST, 9 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
407 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
KYZ029>031-034-038-012045-
Jefferson KY-Shelby KY-Oldham KY-Bullitt KY-Spencer KY-
407 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN OLDHAM...
NORTHWESTERN SPENCER...NORTHWESTERN SHELBY...SOUTHEASTERN JEFFERSON
AND NORTHEASTERN BULLITT COUNTIES THROUGH 445 PM EDT...
At 407 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Fern Creek, moving northeast at 30 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...
Jeffersontown, Shelbyville, La Grange, Middletown, Douglass Hills,
Anchorage, Hollow Creek, Woodland Hills, Spring Mill, and Highview.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3804 8549 3815 8566 3842 8536 3825 8515
TIME...MOT...LOC 2007Z 226DEG 27KT 3815 8552
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
MJ