Tornadoes · United States · Kentucky · 2006

F1 tornado, Edwards, Kentucky, April 2, 2006

This F1 tornado ran 2.0 miles across Logan County on April 2, 2006, touching down at 10:30 PM CDT and reaching 100 yards wide. It killed nobody.

The rating scale

Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.

  1. F040 to 72 mph

    Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.

  2. F173 to 112 mphthis tornado

    Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.

  3. F2113 to 157 mph

    Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.

  4. F3158 to 206 mph

    Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.

  5. F4207 to 260 mph

    Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.

  6. F5261 to 318 mph

    Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.

  7. Unrated

    The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

The record

Rating
F1
Date
April 2, 2006
Touchdown
10:30 PM CDT (03:30 UTC)
Path length
2.0 miles (3.2 km)
Path width
100 yards (91 m)
Deaths
0
Injuries
0
County
Logan County
Touchdown point
36.970, -86.920
Lift-off point
36.950, -86.880
Record number
277

What the Weather Service recorded

A weak F1 tornado left an intermittent track across rural Logan County. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 90 mph.

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

The warnings

No tornado warning for this county appears in the archive as in force at the moment the tornado touched down. One was issued for the county at another hour that day.

The county was under a tornado watch, issued at 22:49 UTC and running to 05:54 UTC.

Issued (UTC)ExpiredProductOffice
22:49 UTC05:54 UTCTornado WatchLMK
01:02 UTC01:30 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningLMK
02:04 UTC02:45 UTCTornado WarningLMK
02:44 UTC03:00 UTCTornado WarningLMK
02:58 UTC03:29 UTCTornado WarningLMK

Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.

The forecast that day

The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a Moderate Risk, with a 0.15 chance of a tornado within 25 miles, in the hatched area where significant tornadoes were expected. The outlook in force was issued at 01:19 UTC.

SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.

The air that afternoon

The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.

Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), 00:00Z

3.5 hours before the tornado, 96 km from the path. April 3, 2006.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Nashville Metro, TN at 00:00Z on 2006-04-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 80 joules per kilogram, CIN -308, lifted condensation level 1096 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Nashville Metro, TN at 00:00Z on 2006-04-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 324 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 42 knots.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
80 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-308 J/kg
Surface CAPE
77 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1096 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
42 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
40 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
324 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
318 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0
0-3 km lapse rate
4.9 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), 12:00Z

8.5 hours after it, 96 km from the path. April 3, 2006.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 2006-04-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 248 joules per kilogram, CIN -119, lifted condensation level 1341 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 2006-04-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 119 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 75 knots.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
248 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-119 J/kg
Surface CAPE
340 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1341 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
75 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
32 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
119 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
128 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.5
0-3 km lapse rate
5.8 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What was reported nearby

Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.

Time (UTC)ReportWhereCountyRemark
01:15 UTCTORNADOBremenMuhlenberg, KYCAR REPORTED BLOWN OFF OF ROAD.
01:37 UTCHAIL 13 N HartfordOhio, KYTREES DOWN.
01:55 UTCTSTM WND DMGHopkinsvilleChristian, KYPOWER OUTAGE ON IN PORTIONS OF WEST SIDE OF COMMUNITY.
02:02 UTCTORNADOHopkinsvilleChristian, KYTOUCHDOWN IN PRINCETON ROAD AREA. MAJOR DAMAGE REPORTED. NO DETAILS AT THIS TIME. LSR BY WFO PADUCAH KENTUCKY.
02:09 UTCTORNADO4 N HopkinsvilleChristian, KY3 HOMES DESTORYED. NO DETAILS. LSR REPORTED BY WFO PADUCAH KENTUCKY.
02:18 UTCTORNADOAllegreTodd, KYTORNADO MOVING NORHTEAST THROUGH COMMUNITY. NO DETAILS. LSR REPORTED BY WFO PADUCAH KENTUCKY.
02:18 UTCTORNADOAllegreTodd, KYUPDATE...TORNADO MOVING NORHTEAST THROUGH COMMUNITY. MOBLE HOME DESTROYED IN COMMUNITY AND BUILDING DESTROYED ON HIGHWAY 171 2 MILES NORTH OF TOWN. NO INJURIES REPORTED AT THIS TIME. LSR REPORTED BY WFO PADUCAH KENTUCKY.
02:18 UTCTORNADOAllegreTodd, KYUPDATE...TORNADO MOVING NORTHEAST THROUGH COMMUNITY. MOBLE HOME DESTROYED IN COMMUNITY AND BUILDING DESTROYED ON HIGHWAY 171 2 MILES NORTH OF TOWN. NO INJURIES REPORTED AT THIS TIME. LSR REPORTED BY WFO PADUCAH KENTUCKY.
02:22 UTCTORNADO4 N HopkinsvilleChristian, KYUPDATE...STATE POLICE REPORT LOTS OF DAMAGE. NUMEROUS HOMES DESTROYED AND MOBLE HOMES OVERTURNED FROM PRINCETON ROAD TO THE PENNYRILE PARKWAY. LSR REPORTED BY WFO PADUCAH KENTUCKY.
02:23 UTCTORNADO4 N HopkinsvilleChristian, KY*** 20 INJ *** UPDATE...1134 PM...15 TO 20 INJURIES REPORTED. NUMEROUS HOMES DESTROYED ALONG PRINCETON, GREENVILLE AND BILLY GOAT ROADS. POWER LINES DOWN AND GAS LINES ERUPTING. LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE DEPT AND EM SEARCHIN
02:23 UTCTORNADO4 N HopkinsvilleChristian, KYUPDATE...NUMEROUS HOMES DESTROYED ALONG PRINCETON, GREENVILLE AND BILLY GOAT ROADS. POWER LINES DOWN AND GAS LINES ERUPTING. LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE DEPT AND EM SEARCHING FOR VICTIMS AT THIS TIME. LSR REPORTED BY WFO PADUC
02:25 UTCTSTM WND DMG8 N ElktonTodd, KYLATE REPORT. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO COSDAR GROVE CHURCH WITH HALF OF ROOF BLOWN OFF. WINDOWS BLOWN OUT. PUBLIC HEARD WHAT IS BELIVED TO BE A TORNADO...BUT NO VISUAL DUE TO DRIVING RAIN AND DARKNESS. LSR ISSUED BY WFO PADUCA
02:35 UTCTSTM WND DMGLewisburgLogan, KYSTRUCTURE DAMAGE AT KINGPORT AVE.
02:35 UTCTORNADO 59LewisburgLogan, KYLOTS OF DAMAGE IN TOWN. CARS OVERTURNED. GOLFBALL SIZED HAIL
02:35 UTCTORNADOLewisburgLogan, KYLOTS OF DAMAGE IN TOWN. CARS OVERTURNED. GOLFBALL SIZED HAIL
02:37 UTCHAIL 1.75LewisburgLogan, KY
03:28 UTCHAIL 0.75Bowling GreenWarren, KYDIME SIZED HAIL REPORTED BY WBKO TELEVISION STATION.
03:30 UTCTORNADO3 Se LewisburgLogan, KYSMALL INTERMITTENT 2 MILE TRACK SOUTHEAST OF EDWARDS EAST OF HIGHWAY 431 IN NORTHERN LOGAN COUNTY
05:12 UTCHAIL 0.75Bowling GreenWarren, KY
05:28 UTCHAIL 15 Ne Bowling GreenWarren, KY

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.

This ground now

The live radar over the trackEvery 2006 tornado in KentuckyEvery tornado in Kentucky since 1950Warnings in force in Kentucky nowThe forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of April 2, 2006

66 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

DateTimeRatingWherePath (mi)Width (yd)DeathsInjuriesDamage
April 23:47 PM CDTF0Davis, IA0.230
April 23:57 PM CDTF0Davis, IA0.125
April 24:03 PM CDTF2Van Buren, IA3.0100$30,000
April 24:15 PM CDTF1Van Buren, IA2.050$10,000
April 24:18 PM CDTF1Jefferson, IA0.350$10,000
April 24:19 PM CDTF1Van Buren, IA3.050$10,000
April 24:25 PM CDTF2Ralls, MO3.5350
April 24:46 PM CDTF2Washington, IA1.075$30,000
April 24:59 PM CDTF1Sharp, AR9.5100$100,000
April 25:00 PM CDTF0Saint Francois, MO0.150
April 25:00 PM CDTF1Washington, IA0.150$10,000
April 25:05 PM CDTF0Sainte Genevieve, MO2.040
April 25:06 PM CDTF0Warren, IA0.230
April 25:15 PM CDTF2Saint Clair, IL7.0100111
April 25:15 PM CDTF0Macoupin, IL2.030
April 25:15 PM CDTF0Macoupin, IL0.530
April 25:16 PM CDTF0Henderson, IL0.025
April 25:20 PM CDTF1McDonough, IL12.0233$150,000
April 25:21 PM CDTF0Madison, IL16.050
April 25:30 PM CDTF1Madison, IL2.0100
April 25:31 PM CDTF0Polk, IA0.230
April 25:35 PM CDTF0Macoupin, IL0.120
April 25:37 PM CDTF3Randolph, AR to MO77.08802177$86 million
April 25:41 PM CDTF0Montgomery, IL1.050
April 25:46 PM CDTF1Sangamon, IL0.5200
April 25:49 PM CDTF1Sangamon, IL2.0100
April 25:50 PM CDTF2Montgomery, IL20.0200
April 25:56 PM CDTF1Sangamon, IL1.0100
April 25:56 PM CDTF1Montgomery, IL2.2100
April 25:58 PM CDTF1Sangamon, IL1.0100
April 25:59 PM CDTF0Sangamon, IL1.350
April 26:00 PM CDTF2White, AR6.3100
April 26:06 PM CDTF1Sangamon, IL0.850
April 26:08 PM CDTF1Christian, IL6.33001
April 26:13 PM CDTF1Sangamon, IL1.51001
April 26:14 PM CDTF1Christian, IL6.0150
April 26:17 PM CDTF0Christian, IL0.150
April 26:20 PM CDTF1Christian, IL1.0100
April 26:22 PM CDTF0Menard, IL0.340
April 26:29 PM CDTF3Woodruff, AR38.05005$5.0 million
April 26:30 PM CDTF0Macon, IL0.130
April 26:30 PM CDTF2Macon, IL4.5300
April 26:32 PM CDTF0Logan, IL1.080
April 26:36 PM CDTF0Logan, IL2.550
April 26:36 PM CDTF1Macon, IL7.51503
April 26:42 PM CDTF0Cumberland, IL0.8100
April 26:43 PM CDTF0Scott, MO1.550$20,000
April 27:01 PM CDTF0DeWitt, IL0.130
April 27:08 PM CDTF0McLean, IL0.130
April 27:12 PM CDTF0McLean, IL0.550
April 27:13 PM CDTF1McLean, IL1.050
April 27:15 PM CDTF0Champaign, IL0.130
April 27:22 PM CDTF0McLean, IL2.650
April 27:25 PM CDTF0Champaign, IL0.350
April 27:31 PM CDTF0Ballard, KY0.130
April 27:32 PM CDTF3Dyer, TN18.08801670$20 million
April 29:07 PM EDTF1Lawrence, IN0.5100$100,000
April 28:09 PM CDTF3Gibson, TN31.0880644$27 million
April 29:25 PM EDTF1Tippecanoe, IN0.5100$50,000
April 29:37 PM EDTF1Jackson, IN0.5100$200,000

All 67 of them

What this means

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.

Sources

NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.