On May 18th into May 19th, the Ohio Valley was in the middle of a southwest mid- and upper-level flow regime between troughing over the central CONUS and southeast US ridging. Smaller scale perturbations within the broader flow pattern would support a couple waves of showers and thunderstorms, with isolated strong to severe storms occurring across north central Kentucky and southern Indiana…
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 LMK wrote it up.
On May 18th into May 19th, the Ohio Valley was in the middle of a southwest mid- and upper-level flow regime between troughing over the central CONUS and southeast US ridging. Smaller scale perturbations within the broader flow pattern would support a couple waves of showers and thunderstorms, with isolated strong to severe storms occurring across north central Kentucky and southern Indiana during the afternoon and evening hours both days. During the afternoon and early evening hours on May 19th, scattered showers and thunderstorms developed along the Ohio River, with storms moving from southwest to northeast across northern Kentucky and southern Indiana. While effective bulk shear was relatively unsupportive of organized convection around 20 knots, a few stronger cores were able to develop thanks to 2000-2500 J/kg of mixed-layer CAPE. These stronger cells were able to produce a few instances of wind damage vai downed trees as well as near-severe level hail.
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 May 19, 2:45 PM EST, 1 hour 8 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
345 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
* Scattered storms this afternoon followed by a more prominent line
of storms this evening will bring heavy downpours and severe
potential for severe wind gusts and small hail. Southern IN
counties and KY counties that border the Ohio have the best
potential.
* There is flooding potential for the storms that move through
tonight, especially in our southern IN counties.
* Another surge of moisture moves in by Wednesday morning, keeping
clouds and rain for everyone and scattered storms for eastern
locations by the afternoon.
* Busy weather pattern sets up Wednesday through the remainder of
the week, with widespread moderate rainfall expected Friday.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 344 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
Currently, temperatures are warm in the mid to upper 80s with mixed
cloud cover area wide. A few communities have already seen rain
today from two axis of showers and storms trying to form in our
western and eastern counties. The severe threat for strong to severe
gusty winds aren't expected from these ongoing storms, at least not
until later this evening from an approaching line of storms from the
northwest. However, what is popping up on radar still has the
potential for some small hail stones and gusty winds before the main
event arrives.
The synoptic setup features troughing in the Plains with continued
ridging in the east. The overall weather pattern though will be
changing as early as tonight as a trailing cold front from a surface
low up in southern Canada will move across the Ohio Valley this
evening through Wednesday afternoon. This front is very slow, and
will help initiate a line of storms across the Midwest that will
move into our CWA this evening.
This more prominent line of storms, preceded by pop up storms ahead
of the main line, will move in from the northwest well ahead of the
cold front. There is plenty of SBCAPE for this line to tap into
however as they approach and develop near our CWA, the best shear
will move north into the Great Lakes and Southern Canada. Once
evening sits in as the storms move in, this means they will slowly
be weakening as they trek across our counties. Despite this, multi-
cell clusters forming into bowing line segments are possible
bringing severe to strong gusty winds and small hail if some of the
storms could grow tall enough. With CAPE values ranging 2500 - 3000
J/kg or higher this afternoon in southern IN and western KY, hail
can't be ruled out. The highest severe threat is in southern IN and
into KY counties bordering the Ohio.
Additionally, PWAT values are running high ranging 1.5-2", favored
in southern IN thanks to a surge of moisture from the SW. Dewpoints
will be running high, meaning there is potential for additional
flooding this afternoon/evening in the same areas that were hit hard
last night, namely southern IN. As a result, a flood watch has been
issued for all our southern Indiana counties including Trimble
County as well. Our western KY counties are under the same SW plume
of moisture too and will be monitored for flooding potential. Should
more rain trend to fall in this area, the flood watch may need to be
expanded. Rainfall totals are greatest in southern IN, western KY
counties, and counties along the Ohio have a 70-80% chance of
receiving ranging around 0.5 - 1", with localized areas of 2+"
according to HREF LPMM data in training storms. Elsewhere in
central/southern KY including cities like Lexington, rainfall totals
will generally by around 0.25-0.5" or lower by early Wednesday
morning.
Temperatures will cool this evening into the 60s and 70s with weak
winds and lowering cloud heights. Rain showers and embedded
thunderstorms will continue tonight with spotty coverage until a
weak developing low pushes up from Arkansas Wednesday morning
following along our slow-moving cold front. This will keep a steady
supply of moisture for everyone Wednesday morning. A few weak
embedded storms and rumbles of thunder are possible then, especially
in our far southeastern counties that may partially clear. Later in
the afternoon with partial clearing, continued WAA in the east, and
CAPE values nearing 1000+ J/kg, some gusty winds may be possible
with a few of these storms, though we are not expecting severe
weather with Wednesday's convection at this time. This may build up
enough instability for a few storms to produce more lightning
. As the developing surface low slowly moves east, so will any rain
showers and weak storms exit to the east. Highs on Wednesday will
vary generally northwest to southeast tomorrow as clouds and the
cold front slowly marches eastward. Along and north of the Ohio,
highs will be in the low to mid 70s with upper 70s to low 80s in our
southeast border counties. Rain showers and storms end Wednesday
night with lows in the mid 50s to low 60s.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Issued at 344 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
Thursday's weather seems a little drier compared to Wednesday as the
cold front should clear or nearly clear our southern communities by
morning. Since this front is stalling so close by, continued rain
showers with low PoPs have been continued for our far southern
areas, though rain totals look to remain low. Cloud cover remains
throughout the day though, limiting our warming Thursday behind the
front with highs in the low to upper 70s in a few places.
By Friday, a trough exiting on the leeward side of the Rockies in
the Mid-Plains will swing our front back north as a warm front with
a returning surge of moisture from the southwest. EFI tables suggest
a moderately high EFI values for QPF, meaning this incoming surge of
moisture could produce a good amount of rain for drought stricken
areas across all of the CWA. 25th and 75th percentile rainfall
totals range from near 0.5" to 1" of rain during the day on Friday.
Timing of this rainfall and when it ends is a little uncertain
still, as it appears once Friday's trough clears, there is not much
synoptic forcing to sweep the front out of the area. As a result,
rain chances could continue into Saturday, further alluded to by
moderately high EFI values for QPF Saturday. There is still high
uncertainty with rain chances later in the weekend though as LREF
clustering analysis shows high spread in the rainfall totals. Should
another stalled out front form over KY, more rain is likely, but if
the stalled out front moves well to our south, Sunday and early next
week will begin dry. Temperature trends this weekend remain warm in
the upper 70s to low 80s for highs.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 151 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
VFR conditions will linger early this afternoon before BKN-OVC
ceilings move in with a broken line of storms mainly affecting
HNB/SDF airports. Elsewhere, timing and duration of the approaching
storms is more uncertain, but at the least, everyone has PROB30s for
storms or showers this evening. S and SW winds will gradually weaken
this evening as storm coverage lessens after sunset. Clouds remain
overnight and gradually lower to low VFR/high MVFR ceilings in the
east, with lower ceilings out west, dipping to IFR conditions in HNB
overnight. Spotty storms or showers linger overnight as well before
another round of showers with embedded storms move in from the
southwest.
By Wednesday morning, showers will continue and slowly drift east.
Weak storms may be embedded in these showers as well. Winds will
begin shifting out of the north to northwest as well starting in HNB
Wednesday morning and slowly shifting in the early afternoon for
LEX/RGA. Clouds remain all day Wednesday with MVFR conditions
remaining in the west to VFR conditions returning to the east with
lingering showers.
&&
.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...Flood Watch through Wednesday afternoon for KYZ032.
IN...Flood Watch through Wednesday afternoon for INZ076>079-083-084-
089>092.
&&
SHORT TERM...BKF
LONG TERM...BKF
AVIATION...BKFSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
240 PM CDT Tue May 19 2026
INZ089-KYZ024-192000-
Perry IN-Breckinridge KY-
240 PM CDT Tue May 19 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN PERRY AND
NORTHWESTERN BRECKINRIDGE COUNTIES THROUGH 300 PM CDT...
At 240 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles north of Hardinsburg, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny 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...
Mystic, Raymond, Frymire, Sample, Holt, Ammons, Rome, Mooleyville,
Manning Crossing, and Lodiburg.
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 3792 8659 3803 8647 3792 8631 3791 8630
3784 8653
TIME...MOT...LOC 1940Z 236DEG 21KT 3792 8651
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CSGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
304 PM CDT Tue May 19 2026
INZ089-KYZ023-192030-
Perry IN-Hancock KY-
304 PM CDT Tue May 19 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL PERRY AND
NORTHWESTERN HANCOCK COUNTIES THROUGH 330 PM CDT...
At 304 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lewisport, moving northeast 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...
Tell City, Lewisport, Troy, Petri, Adair, and Waitman.
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 3793 8697 3794 8692 3799 8686 3800 8681
3802 8680 3800 8677 3803 8678 3803 8677
3804 8679 3806 8677 3803 8667 3783 8685
3784 8685 3783 8690 3784 8691 3788 8689
3790 8692 3791 8694 3789 8699
TIME...MOT...LOC 2004Z 215DEG 24KT 3777 8705
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CSGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
429 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
INZ091-092-192100-
Floyd IN-Clark IN-
429 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL CLARK AND
NORTHEASTERN FLOYD COUNTIES THROUGH 500 PM EDT...
At 429 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
New Albany, moving northeast at 20 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...
Jeffersonville, New Albany, Clarksville, Charlestown, Sellersburg,
Speed, Saint Joseph, Prather, Watson, and Clark Regional Airport.
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 3843 8561 3842 8562 3839 8564 3827 8573
3827 8574 3831 8586 3851 8578
TIME...MOT...LOC 2029Z 215DEG 18KT 3832 8578
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CSGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
447 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
INZ091-092-KYZ030-192115-
Floyd IN-Clark IN-Jefferson KY-
447 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL CLARK...EASTERN
FLOYD AND NORTHWESTERN JEFFERSON COUNTIES THROUGH 515 PM EDT...
At 447 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Shively, moving northeast 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...
Louisville, Jeffersonville, New Albany, St. Matthews, Shively,
Lyndon, Graymoor-Devondale, Windy Hills, Anchorage, and Audubon Park.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3817 8576 3822 8590 3840 8581 3828 8554
TIME...MOT...LOC 2047Z 221DEG 17KT 3823 8579
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SRWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
349 PM CDT Tue May 19 2026
KYZ023-026-192115-
Hancock KY-Ohio KY-
349 PM CDT Tue May 19 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN HANCOCK AND
NORTHWESTERN OHIO COUNTIES THROUGH 415 PM CDT...
At 349 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Whitesville, moving northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny 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...
Goering, Ralph, Pellville, Deanefield, Victoria Crossroads, Floral,
Patesville, Buford, Herbert, and Haynesville.
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 3755 8705 3763 8695 3762 8692 3767 8682
3771 8687 3774 8682 3779 8682 3782 8684
3786 8679 3775 8666 3771 8665 3750 8702
3754 8706
TIME...MOT...LOC 2049Z 229DEG 16KT 3770 8686
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CSGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
451 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
INZ083-089-192115-
Perry IN-Dubois IN-
451 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN DUBOIS AND
NORTHWESTERN PERRY COUNTIES THROUGH 515 PM EDT/415 PM CDT/...
At 451 PM EDT/351 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm near Santa Claus, moving northeast at 30 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...
Ferdinand, Birdseye, Saint Marks, Sassafras, Bristow, Celina, Mentor,
Adyeville, Apalona, and Siberia.
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 3838 8676 3831 8668 3826 8668 3826 8663
3817 8653 3806 8677 3808 8678 3810 8677
3812 8681 3812 8680 3815 8681 3816 8680
3818 8680 3818 8679 3821 8679 3820 8694
TIME...MOT...LOC 2051Z 228DEG 28KT 3816 8682
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CSGThe Louisville radar (KLVX), 52 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:54 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Several trees were blown down, blocking Rose Island Road.
Quarter size hail was reported along Herbert Road.
A tree was blown down onto power lines along Fairview Court in Eminence.
Multiple trees were blown down, blocking the roadway near the 300 block of Woods Pike Road.
Large utility poles were leaning due to strong winds, and a tree was blown down in the vicinity of the intersection of Preston Highway and Fern Valley Road.
Trees were blown down along Clark Station Road, blocking the roadway.
Power lines were blown down along Jackson Road near Eminence.
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, May 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: 1341852, 1341851, 1341854, 1341867, 1341869, 1341872, 1341875.