A strong cold front opened up the month of April across northeast Kentucky, supplying a brief burst of strong to severe thunderstorms. The first storm of note passed through Lawrence County shortly after midday, leading to local power outages from downed trees and power lines.
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 RLX wrote it up.
A strong cold front opened up the month of April across northeast Kentucky, supplying a brief burst of strong to severe thunderstorms. The first storm of note passed through Lawrence County shortly after midday, leading to local power outages from downed trees and power lines. A few hours later, one more storm pressed through the county and prompted a single downed tree. The bulk of the convective activity then became focused in West Virginia, bringing the severe threat to northeast Kentucky to an end.
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 Apr 1, 4:05 AM EST, 8 hours 46 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston WV 505 AM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Some models show the cold front over the weekend coming in a bit faster, more Saturday night than Sunday. && .KEY MESSAGES... - 1) Showers and thunderstorms will be possible at times through Saturday, with best chances for more widespread activity on Wednesday. - 2) A strong cold front brings cooler air back to the area for the end of the weekend into next week, with potential for frost or freezing conditions. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1... A cold front will push southward into central Ohio and northern West Virginia Wednesday, before stalling, and then returning northward as a warm front Wednesday night. This will create the best chances for showers and thunderstorms for the work week. Depending on cloud cover and how much heating can occur south of the front, there is the possibility that a few thunderstorms could become strong enough to produce damaging winds and/or large hail. A south to southwesterly flow will remain behind the front for Thursday into Saturday. This will allow for more showers and thunderstorms, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours. KEY MESSAGE 2... Models have diverged a bit on the timing of a strong cold front that will will push through the region Saturday night or Sunday. Some models are now showing a faster timing with the front arriving Saturday night. Regardless, this will increase chances of showers and thunderstorms while bringing cooler air for the end of the weekend and into the next work week. This could set the area up for the potential for frost or freezing conditions. Models are now further north with a potential clipper system on Tuesday. This could leave the area in warmer air, or with precipitation possibly north of the area. && .AVIATION /12Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Some LLWS is possible early this morning, especially in deeper mountain valleys and just north of the cold front. A cold front will push southward into central Ohio and northern West Virginia today, before stalling, and then returning northward as a warm front tonight. Numerous showers and thunderstorms can be expected today, most intense during the afternoon hours. Outside of showers and thunderstorms, expect VFR conditions south of the front with a southwest wind flow, with MVFR clouds north of the front with a northwest to north wind flow. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 06Z THURSDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Showers and thunderstorms could occur throughout the TAF period, but have been timed to the most likely timing in the TAFs. Timing and intensity of showers and thunderstorms and associated restrictions could vary. Extent of LLWS early this morning could vary. 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. DATE WED 04/01/26 UTC 1HRLY 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 EDT 1HRLY 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 CRW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H M M H EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H M M H H PKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H M M CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H M H M H H AFTER 06Z THURSDAY... Brief IFR in showers and thunderstorms possible Thursday and Friday afternoon and evening, and again Saturday night into Sunday. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && DISCUSSION...RPY AVIATION...RPY
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
856 AM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
WVZ013-025-026-011330-
Boone WV-Lincoln WV-Logan WV-
856 AM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN LINCOLN...NORTHWESTERN
LOGAN AND WEST CENTRAL BOONE COUNTIES THROUGH 930 AM EDT...
At 856 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Harts, or 16 miles northwest of Logan, moving east at 25 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...
Spurlockville, Gill, Harts, Alkol, Turtle Creek, and Mud.
This includes Route 119 between mile markers 47 and 48.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3802 8222 3802 8220 3805 8219 3805 8221
3807 8221 3807 8223 3821 8192 3802 8186
3797 8222 3800 8224
TIME...MOT...LOC 1256Z 249DEG 23KT 3804 8217
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1227 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
VAZ004-WVZ033-011645-
Buchanan VA-McDowell WV-
1227 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL BUCHANAN AND
CENTRAL MCDOWELL COUNTIES THROUGH 1245 PM EDT...
At 1227 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles west of War, or 14 miles east of Grundy, moving east 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...
Welch, Gary, War, Davy, Bradshaw, Coalwood, Avondale, Jolo, and
Cucumber.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3736 8195 3750 8160 3724 8151 3724 8191
TIME...MOT...LOC 1627Z 255DEG 25KT 3731 8184
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
127 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
WVZ033-011745-
McDowell WV-
127 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL MCDOWELL COUNTY
THROUGH 145 PM EDT...
At 126 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Northfork, or 9 miles southeast of Welch, moving east at 20 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...
Gary, Northfork, Keystone, Anawalt, Maybeury, and Jenkinjones.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3732 8154 3746 8143 3746 8139 3744 8137
3743 8134 3743 8133 3742 8131 3733 8137
3732 8137 3732 8140 3728 8142
TIME...MOT...LOC 1726Z 264DEG 18KT 3736 8144
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
129 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
WVZ033-011745-
McDowell WV-
129 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL MCDOWELL COUNTY
THROUGH 145 PM EDT...
At 129 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Northfork, or 9 miles southeast of Welch, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Gary, Anawalt, Maybeury, and Jenkinjones.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3727 8144 3736 8151 3740 8133 3736 8135
3733 8137 3732 8137 3732 8140 3728 8141
3727 8142
TIME...MOT...LOC 1729Z 240DEG 13KT 3735 8144
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
11Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
136 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
KYZ105-WVZ005-011800-
Lawrence KY-Wayne WV-
136 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN LAWRENCE AND
SOUTHWESTERN WAYNE COUNTIES THROUGH 200 PM EDT...
At 135 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Ulysses, or 9 miles northwest of Inez, moving northeast at 15 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...
Louisa, Fort Gay, Dunlow, Ulysses, Charley, Gallup, Crum, Clifford,
and Glenhayes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3815 8257 3804 8243 3791 8240 3790 8245
3791 8247 3790 8248 3792 8248 3793 8250
3794 8249 3795 8250 3796 8254 3795 8258
3793 8258 3792 8260 3789 8260 3788 8265
3791 8272 3799 8280
TIME...MOT...LOC 1735Z 240DEG 13KT 3795 8268
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
11Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
142 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
KYZ105-WVZ005-011800-
Lawrence KY-Wayne WV-
142 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN LAWRENCE AND
SOUTHWESTERN WAYNE COUNTIES THROUGH 200 PM EDT...
At 141 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Ulysses, or 9 miles northwest of Inez, moving northeast at 25 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...
Louisa, Fort Gay, Dunlow, Ulysses, Charley, Gallup, Clifford, and
Glenhayes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3815 8257 3804 8243 3797 8242 3791 8245
3791 8247 3792 8248 3793 8250 3794 8249
3795 8250 3796 8254 3795 8258 3793 8258
3792 8260 3789 8260 3788 8264 3791 8272
3799 8280
TIME...MOT...LOC 1741Z 240DEG 13KT 3796 8266
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
11The Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 73 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:51 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Tree damage in the Georges Creek area resulted in 54 customers to be without power.
One downed tree was observed on Town Hill Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, April 2026
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: 1325351, 1325448.