Kentucky, 2026

Hail in Kentucky, April 27, 2026

April 27, 2026 · NWS PAH · 4 events in 3 counties and zones

Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms impacted the Quad State region on the 27th. The first round of storms arrived during the early morning hours of the 27th, associated with a warm front lifting northeastward across the region.

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
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
4

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.

Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms impacted the Quad State region on the 27th. The first round of storms arrived during the early morning hours of the 27th, associated with a warm front lifting northeastward across the region. Being elevated storms, large hail was the primary impact. Additional isolated to scattered storms developed during the midday hours, also tracking northeastward with large hail.

In Northwest Kentucky, midday MLCAPE values were around 500-1000J/kg, DCAPE was 700-900J/kg, effective bulk shear was a robust 40-50kts, and mid-level lapse rates were around 6.5C/km.

Cells tracking northeastward into the Western Coal Fields region of Kentucky midday produced hail, with several reports received between Sebree and Owensboro.

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 Apr 27, 10:12 AM CST, 1 hour 30 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • A significant severe weather event will impact the Quad State this afternoon into tonight. Elevated isolated supercells this morning that are capable of producing large hail will become surface based this afternoon. Strong tornadoes, very large hail, and damaging winds will all be possible. Discrete storms grow upscale into a line tonight with damaging winds and embedded strong tornadoes.
  • Breezy conditions will continue through this afternoon with wind gusts between 25-35 mph. There is a 40-50% chance wind gusts briefly reach 40 mph.
  • Another round of severe weather is possible late Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday evening. Very large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes are the hazards of concern. There is a 60-70% chance of total 48 hour rainfall of 2 inches or more. Localized flash flooding issues are possible.
  • Temperatures trend near to slightly below normal Wednesday into next weekend. Most of the period is dry, but a 20-30% chance of light rain showers return on Friday.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 27, 10:12 AM CST, 1 hour 30 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1112 AM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A significant severe weather event will impact the Quad State
  this afternoon into tonight. Elevated isolated supercells
  this morning that are capable of producing large hail will
  become surface based this afternoon. Strong tornadoes, very
  large hail, and damaging winds will all be possible. Discrete
  storms grow upscale into a line tonight with damaging winds
  and embedded strong tornadoes.

- Breezy conditions will continue through this afternoon with
  wind gusts between 25-35 mph. There is a 40-50% chance wind
  gusts briefly reach 40 mph.

- Another round of severe weather is possible late Tuesday
  afternoon into Tuesday evening. Very large hail, damaging
  winds, and isolated tornadoes are the hazards of concern.
  There is a 60-70% chance of total 48 hour rainfall of 2
  inches or more. Localized flash flooding issues are possible.

- Temperatures trend near to slightly below normal Wednesday
  into next weekend. Most of the period is dry, but a 20-30%
  chance of light rain showers return on Friday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1112 AM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

Elevated convection is ongoing across the Quad State this morning,
with isolated supercells that have been producing large hail. As the
back edge of the MCS lifts more northeast, destabilization will
quickly occur with an influx of higher dewpoints near 70 degrees
pushing northward across the Missouri Bootheel. The air mass
recovery by this afternoon quickly translates to 2500 to 3500 J/kg
of SBCAPE and 7.5 to 8.0 C/km mid-level lapse rates. Combined
with 300-400 m2/s2 of 0-3km SRH and STP values of 3.0-6.0,
strong EF3+ tornadoes, large hail over 2 inches, and damaging
wind gusts over 60 mph will all be possible. The storm mode this
afternoon will be more discrete with the HRRR showing a cluster
of supercells developing. As a meso low near STL lifts
northeast this evening, the winds at the sfc become more backed,
especially in SPCs 15% tornado risk that clips portions of
southeast Missouri and southern Illinois.

While the ongoing convection has always been the greatest
uncertainty with the forecast, model consensus continues to
remain strong for the storm mode to transition to line segments
this evening with convection rapidly growing upscale into a
QLCS. This is when the highest damaging wind risk will occur
with DCAPE over 1200 J/kg. Embedded strong tornadoes also remain
likely with sfc-1 km shear around 30-35 kts. Instability begins
to drop off as storms move into southwest Indiana and the
western Kentucky Pennyrile, allowing for some weakening into the
overnight hours.

Breezy conditions are expected outside of thunderstorms through this
afternoon with a 40-50% chance of wind gusts briefly reaching 40 mph
locally. Most gusts however should remain in the 25-35 mph range.
Given the brief duration, have decided to hold off on issuing a Wind
Advisory as the impacts will be subtle compared to the severe
weather that will impact most of the FA.

The potential for another round of severe weather continues to
increase on Tuesday as another wave moves trough with a stalled
frontal boundary. The CAMs show a MCS pushing across southeast
Missouri and western Kentucky Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday
evening. The thermodynamics support damaging wind and very large
hail with 1500 to 2500 J/kg of SBCAPE and mid-level lapse rates
between 8.0-9.0 C/km. The tornado risk will be more isolated with
lower intensity compared to today, but 15 kts of sfc-1 km shear will
be enough to support a few spin ups. If the boundary shifts more
north and convection trends slower, convection would overlap with
the better 40 kt LLJ in the evening to support a higher risk.

Due to the potential for training convection, the risk of localized
Flash Flooding has increased with another 3 rounds of thunderstorms
expected through Tuesday evening. Total 48 hour rainfall is forecast
between 1.5 to 3.5 inches, with a 60-70% chance of 2 or more inches.
Given the ongoing drought conditions, flooding issues will be more
prone to the typical urban and low-lying locations that are more
sensitive with PWATs around 1.5 inches.

Dry and much cooler conditions return on Wednesday with a broad
trough aloft settling over the Ohio Valley. Daily slightly below
normal high temperatures range from the mid 60s to near 70
through Friday before trending warmer closer to normal next
weekend. There remains a 20-30% chance of light rain showers on
Friday. The GEFS is further north with a low pressure system
that tracks over the lower Mississippi River Valley with QPF
between 0.10 to 0.25 inches. Meanwhile, the EPS and GEPS keeps
this system more suppressed with very little rainfall. A dry
weekend then follows as sfc high pressure builds in.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 651 AM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

This is a very low confidence forecast. Played the ongoing
convection for the next 3 to 4 hours at all sites, and then a
couple hours with the line in the evening. The most uncertainty
involves low ceilings and scattered convection potential today.
Not confident enough at this time to mention either in the
forecast, although did TEMPO an MVFR ceiling this afternoon at
KCGI.

&&

.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...None.
MO...None.
IN...None.
KY...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...DW
AVIATION...DRS
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 27, 10:22 AM CST, 1 hour 20 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1122 AM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-281630-
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-
1122 AM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026 /1222 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026/

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Scattered to numerous severe storms are expected this afternoon
into tonight. Very large hail, greater than golfball size, strong
tornadoes, and damaging winds will be possible. The greatest
threat seems to be in southeast Missouri and southern Illinois
this evening.

Any storm today and tonight will produce torrential rainfall. A
flash flood threat could develop in areas that receive multiple
storms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

Numerous strong to severe storms are expected Tuesday afternoon
into Tuesday evening. Very large hail and damaging winds will be
the main concerns, but a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
Torrential rainfall could lead to an isolated flash flood threat.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is needed throughout the Quad State this
afternoon into tonight. Activation throughout the region may be
needed again Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday evening.

DW

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 27, 11:07 AM CST, 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1207 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

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

1157 AM     Hail             1 W Cynthiana           38.19N 87.73W
04/27/2026  E0.50 Inch       Posey              IN   Public

            Report from mPING: Half-inch (0.50 in.).

&&

BM
Local storm report, Apr 27, 11:19 AM CST, 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1219 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

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

1217 PM     Hail             1 WNW Evansville        37.99N 87.56W
04/27/2026  M0.25 Inch       Vanderburgh        IN   Trained Spotter

&&

BM
Local storm report, Apr 27, 11:29 AM CST, 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1229 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

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

1223 PM     Hail             2 E Princeton           38.35N 87.53W
04/27/2026  M1.00 Inch       Gibson             IN   Public

&&

BM
Local storm report, Apr 27, 11:35 AM CST, 7 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1235 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

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

1235 PM     Hail             1 ENE Newburgh          37.95N 87.38W
04/27/2026  M0.88 Inch       Warrick            IN   Public

&&

BM
Local storm report, Apr 27, 11:37 AM CST, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1237 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

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

1237 PM     Hail             3 NNE Newburgh          37.99N 87.39W
04/27/2026  M1.00 Inch       Warrick            IN   Emergency Mngr

&&

BM
Local storm report, Apr 27, 11:38 AM CST, 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1238 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

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

1238 PM     Hail             3 NW Newburgh           37.97N 87.45W
04/27/2026  M0.25 Inch       Warrick            IN   Emergency Mngr

&&

BM

The radar

The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 78 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:41 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Webster

When
April 27, 11:42 AM CST
Where
Webster County, 2 mi SSE of Sebree
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.579, -87.520

Hail estimated to the size of quarters fell south of Sebree.

Hail, McLean

When
April 27, 11:49 AM CST
Where
McLean County, Beech Grove
Measured
1.25 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.616, -87.398

A social media post, relayed by multiple sources, reported hail estimated to half dollar size in Beech Grove.

Hail, Daviess

When
April 27, 11:55 AM CST
Where
Daviess County, Maple Mt
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.681, -87.324

Hail estimated to an inch fell outside of West Louisville.

Hail, Daviess

When
April 27, 12:08 PM CST to 12:11 PM CST
Where
Daviess County, (Owb)owensboro Arpt to 1 mi SE of Owensboro
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
37.751, -87.162

Hail up to quarter size fell near Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport. The storm continued into the city of Owensboro where a spotter also reported quarter size hail.

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Kentucky in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, April 2026

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: 1348116, 1348117, 1348119, 1348120.