An area of strong thunderstorms slowly spilled into northeast Kentucky ahead of a cold front, arriving into Lawrence County by the afternoon of May 20th. Damaging winds accompanying the storms resulted in a few instances of downed trees and power lines before progressing northeastward.
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.
An area of strong thunderstorms slowly spilled into northeast Kentucky ahead of a cold front, arriving into Lawrence County by the afternoon of May 20th. Damaging winds accompanying the storms resulted in a few instances of downed trees and power lines before progressing northeastward. The cold front passed through shortly after, bringing the risk for severe weather to an end across northeast Kentucky.
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 May 20, 12:39 PM EST, 2 hours 1 minute earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston WV 139 PM EDT Wed May 20 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Slight risk for severe and excessive rainfall this afternoon. Risk for more robust convection does appear to be displaced a slightly farther southeast than morning guidance due to morning convection. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1.) Scattered to numerous thunderstorms this afternoon and evening will pose a primary threat of damaging wind gusts and localized flash flooding. 2.) A brief reprieve from the active weather is expected across northern areas on Thursday, with post-frontal temperatures dropping significantly into the upper 60s to low 70s. 3.) The frontal boundary lifts back north on Friday, bringing renewed chances for heavy rainfall and localized high water issues. Unsettled weather persists through the Memorial Day weekend. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1... Showers and thunderstorms from this morning have introduced uncertainty regarding the extent of atmospheric recovery across northeast Kentucky and southeast Ohio this afternoon. Consequently, convective initiation is anticipated to be displaced slightly further southeast than initially suggested by earlier high-resolution guidance. Despite modest mid-level lapse rates, ongoing insolation and moisture pooling along and ahead of an approaching cold front will yield moderate instability, with Mixed-Layer CAPE values increasing to 1200-1800 J/kg. Deep layer shear remains relatively weak, generally between 20 and 30 KTs, which will favor multicell clusters and perhaps some transient supercells. The primary severe hazard this afternoon will be damaging downburst winds, driven by steep low-level lapse rates and elevated Downdraft CAPE (DCAPE). Gusts exceeding 40 to 45 mph could result in localized tree damage, particularly given the fully leafed canopy with more substantial damage possible in any true severe gusts. In addition to the wind threat, localized flash flooding remains a concern. Flow parallel to the frontal boundary will encourage the training of convective cells. The environment is characterized by deep warm cloud depths of 10-11kft and precipitable water values climbing to around 1.7 inches, which exceeds the 90th percentile for late May. Rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are probable in the heaviest cores. Due to largely dry antecedent conditions, much of the region can tolerate up to 2.5 inches of rain over a short duration. However, areas that received heavy rainfall this morning, specifically Greenup and Carter counties in northeast Kentucky, as well as urban centers and steep, V-shaped hollows, will be susceptible to rapid runoff and flash flooding. A Flash Flood Warning or two may be required for the most persistent downpours, but the localized nature of the threat precludes the need for a broader Flash Flood Watch at this time. KEY MESSAGE 2... The cold front will push southeastward tonight, causing remaining showers and thunderstorms to become confined to the southern coalfields and southwest Virginia Thursday morning. Subsidence and a cooler, drier airmass will overspread the northern half of the forecast area, providing a temporary dry (or mainly dry) period. Post-frontal cold advection will result in a notable temperature drop, with daytime highs on Thursday struggling to reach 70 degrees F across the lowlands, which is well below normal. KEY MESSAGE 3... The aforementioned boundary will stall to the south and lift back north as a warm front on Friday, placing the region firmly within the unsettled warm sector. This will mark the beginning of a wet and active Memorial Day weekend. Friday is expected to be the wettest day of the period as isentropic ascent increases over the boundary. Repeated rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected through Monday, driven by shortwave energy riding along the periphery of a Bermuda high. Depending on where the heaviest rain falls today, antecedent soil conditions may become compromised, leading to a conditional risk for high water and flash flooding Friday into the weekend with any additional heavy rainfall. Widespread severe weather is not currently anticipated through the holiday weekend, as atmospheric instability is forecast to remain generally weak, with only periodic upticks in deep-layer shear. Unseasonably warm temperatures will return by Sunday and Monday, although values will remain below the record heat observed earlier this week. && .AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... A mix of VFR and localized IFR to LIFR conditions is expected this afternoon and evening. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will develop along and ahead of an approaching cold front. Direct impacts from thunderstorms may produce brief periods of IFR visibility and gusty, erratic winds, primarily between 18Z and 02Z. Outside of convection, southwesterly winds of 5 to 10 KTs will prevail ahead of the front. Following the frontal passage tonight, winds will shift to the northwest and north. Low-level moisture trapped beneath the developing subsidence inversion will likely result in widespread MVFR to IFR ceilings across the region, especially after 06Z. Patchy dense fog is also possible in areas that receive heavy rainfall and manage to clear out, particularly in the deeper river valleys. Conditions will slowly improve to VFR from north to south after 14Z Thursday as drier air works into the region. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Low for convective impact timing, otherwise medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Restrictions associated with convection will vary from the 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 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 EDT 1HRLY 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 CRW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H M H M M HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H M M M H H H M BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H M M M M EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H PKB CONSISTENCY M M L H H H M M M M M M CKB CONSISTENCY H M H H H M H M L H H H AFTER 18Z THURSDAY... IFR conditions conditions continue southeast Thursday afternoon. Brief IFR is also possible at times Friday through the weekend with showers and/or thunderstorms. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && DISCUSSION...JP AVIATION...JP
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
129 PM EDT Wed May 20 2026
WVZ030-039-201745-
Upshur WV-Lewis WV-
129 PM EDT Wed May 20 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL LEWIS AND CENTRAL
UPSHUR COUNTIES THROUGH 145 PM EDT...
At 129 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Rock Cave, or 9 miles southwest of Buckhannon, 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...
Buckhannon, Rock Cave, Tallmansville, and French Creek.
This includes Route 33 between mile markers 15 and 16.
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.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3881 8036 3892 8041 3900 8018 3883 8012
TIME...MOT...LOC 1729Z 262DEG 23KT 3888 8035
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
01Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
236 PM EDT Wed May 20 2026
OHZ087-WVZ006-201900-
Lawrence OH-Cabell WV-
236 PM EDT Wed May 20 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN LAWRENCE AND
CENTRAL CABELL COUNTIES THROUGH 300 PM EDT...
At 236 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Proctorville, moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Huntington, Proctorville, Barboursville, Athalia, Green Bottom, and
Pea Ridge.
This includes Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 10
and 22.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3858 8225 3837 8221 3834 8241 3835 8242
3849 8243
TIME...MOT...LOC 1836Z 259DEG 8KT 3842 8237
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
01Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
241 PM EDT Wed May 20 2026
KYZ105-201900-
Lawrence KY-
241 PM EDT Wed May 20 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN LAWRENCE COUNTY
THROUGH 300 PM EDT...
At 241 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Martha, or near Blaine, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 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...
Blaine and Martha.
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.
This storm could intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3802 8301 3809 8284 3799 8264 3795 8281
3797 8284 3798 8288 3800 8294 3800 8296
3796 8299 3797 8302 3799 8303
TIME...MOT...LOC 1841Z 235DEG 20KT 3798 8290
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
01Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
247 PM EDT Wed May 20 2026
KYZ101>103-105-201900-
Boyd KY-Greenup KY-Carter KY-Lawrence KY-
247 PM EDT Wed May 20 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN BOYD...NORTHWESTERN
LAWRENCE...SOUTH CENTRAL GREENUP AND SOUTHEASTERN CARTER COUNTIES
THROUGH 300 PM EDT...
At 247 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Grayson Lake State Park, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Grayson, Grayson Lake State Park, Webbville, Denton, Rush, Grahn,
Hopewell, Willard, and Hitchins.
This includes Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 166 and
180.
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.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3845 8284 3821 8268 3816 8292 3817 8292
3817 8298 3819 8299 3819 8301 3820 8301
3820 8304 3818 8305 3822 8308 3824 8314
3826 8315
TIME...MOT...LOC 1847Z 242DEG 23KT 3822 8303
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
01Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
259 PM EDT Wed May 20 2026
KYZ101>103-105-OHZ087-WVZ005-006-201930-
Boyd KY-Greenup KY-Carter KY-Lawrence KY-Lawrence OH-Wayne WV-
Cabell WV-
259 PM EDT Wed May 20 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT BOYD...LAWRENCE...SOUTH CENTRAL
GREENUP...SOUTHEASTERN CARTER...SOUTH CENTRAL LAWRENCE...SOUTHWESTERN
CABELL AND NORTHERN WAYNE COUNTIES THROUGH 330 PM EDT...
At 259 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms over Grayson Lake State Park, 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...
Huntington, Ashland, Grayson, Louisa, Wayne, Chesapeake, Blaine,
Beech Fork State Park, Cannonsburg, Grayson Lake State Park,
Yatesville Lake State Park, Kenova, Catlettsburg, Ceredo, Fort Gay,
Webbville, Princess, Coalton, Denton, and Burnaugh.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 164 and 191.
Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 1 and 11.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3829 8317 3853 8248 3821 8229 3796 8281
3800 8294 3800 8296 3796 8299 3797 8301
3799 8303 3804 8300 3805 8296 3811 8289
3817 8292 3817 8298 3820 8301 3820 8304
3818 8305 3822 8308 3826 8316
TIME...MOT...LOC 1859Z 242DEG 23KT 3821 8297
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
01Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
333 PM EDT Wed May 20 2026
WVZ006-007-014-202000-
Mason WV-Cabell WV-Putnam WV-
333 PM EDT Wed May 20 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN MASON...NORTHEASTERN
CABELL AND WESTERN PUTNAM COUNTIES THROUGH 400 PM EDT...
At 333 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms over Culloden, or 9 miles north of Hamlin, 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...
Nitro, Winfield, Hurricane, Milton, Eleanor, Ona, Culloden, Teays
Valley, and Fraziers Bottom.
This includes Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 22
and 44.
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.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3861 8190 3844 8182 3840 8190 3837 8191
3835 8205 3837 8205 3838 8207 3837 8210
3835 8212 3833 8221 3851 8224
TIME...MOT...LOC 1933Z 284DEG 21KT 3842 8209
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
01The Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 88 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:41 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
In downtown Grayson, a tree blew down and blocked portions of Main Street.
Tree and power line damage around the area of Yatesville Lake resulted in 200 homes to be without power.
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: 1332028, 1332031.