Tornadoes · United States · Kentucky · 2024

EF1 tornado, Sinai, Kentucky, April 2, 2024

This EF1 tornado ran 2.1 miles across Anderson County on April 2, 2024, touching down at 8:56 AM EDT and reaching 150 yards wide. It killed nobody.

The rating scale

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

  1. EF065 to 85 mph

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

  2. EF186 to 110 mphthis tornado

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

  3. EF2111 to 135 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. EF3136 to 165 mph

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

  5. EF4166 to 200 mph

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

  6. EF5over 200 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
EF1
Date
April 2, 2024
Touchdown
8:56 AM EDT (12:56 UTC)
Lifted
8:59 AM EDT (12:59 UTC)
On the ground
3 minutes
Path length
2.1 miles (3.4 km)
Path width
150 yards (137 m)
Deaths
0
Injuries
0
County
Anderson County
Touchdown point
37.956, -85.045
Lift-off point
37.938, -85.014
Record number
2404020656-01

The damage survey

35 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS LMK, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF1. The highest wind the damage implies is 95 mph.

Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.

What the Weather Service recorded

As a surface low cut across Missouri and Illinois, its eastward stretching warm front moved north across central Indiana while its cold front moved east towards the Lower Ohio Valley. This placed central Kentucky in the warm sector, where 3 separate lines of convection moved through during the day. The first line of storms generating from an early morning outflow boundary dropped southeast through the area. This produced six tornadoes, mainly through the Bluegrass region. The second line, moving west to east, just produced some passing showers and thunderstorms. The third line, just ahead of the cold front, moved through during the evening hours. This produced three more tornadoes along the Interstate 71 corridor. One of these tornadoes began in Clark County, Indiana before crossing the Ohio River into Kentucky.

The National Weather Service conducted a storm damage assessment survey in Anderson County from the storms mid morning, April 2. The tornado touched down in far southwest Anderson county just off Mays Road (just west of KY 53) snapping and twisting some trees. Winds speeds were around 75 mph with a width of 50 yards.|The tornado increased in speed to EF1, 95 mph along Willisburg Road (KY 53). ||A well built home had extensive roof damage, 2 barns lost large sections of their roofs. Insulation and metal sheeting from the barns were thrown up to 300 yards to the east and southerly direction. The resident was in his basement, and heard the roar and had his ear pop from the low pressure. The width increased to 100 yards. ||The tornado continued moving to the east southeast damaging more trees on Baxter Ridge Road. One house had shingle, soffit and gutter damage. Winds speeds were EF0, 85 mph with a width of 150 yards. Drone photography was used to find the ending point in a grove of trees, halfway between Baxter Ridge Road and Puncheon Creek Road. Drone photography found a few topped and uprooted trees. Winds speeds were around EF0, 75 mph, with a width of 50 yards.

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

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 06:00 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.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the tornado touched down, 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 tornado touched down at Apr 2, 7:39 AM EDT, 1 hour 17 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • * Isolated severe storms possible this morning in southern Indiana and northern Kentucky. Damaging winds and brief tornadoes possible. * Severe storms are likely this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes are all possible. Localized flash flooding is also possible in areas impacted by repeated heavy rainfall. * Rain on Wednesday could mix with or change to snow Wednesday night into Thursday morning. A light accumulation of snow cannot be ruled out, but significant impacts from snow are unlikely. * Quiet weather expected Friday into next weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 2, 7:39 AM EDT, 1 hour 17 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
739 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Isolated severe storms possible this morning in southern Indiana
  and northern Kentucky. Damaging winds and brief tornadoes
  possible.

* Severe storms are likely this afternoon and evening. Damaging
  winds, large hail, and tornadoes are all possible. Localized flash
  flooding is also possible in areas impacted by repeated heavy
  rainfall.

* Rain on Wednesday could mix with or change to snow Wednesday night
  into Thursday morning. A light accumulation of snow cannot be
  ruled out, but significant impacts from snow are unlikely.

* Quiet weather expected Friday into next weekend.

&&

.MESOSCALE...
Issued at 717 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

SPC has issued a Tornado Watch for much of central Kentucky and
portions of far southern Indiana. Storms over the lower Wabash and
Ohio Valleys have produced damaging winds and possible tornadoes as
they head east. The roof of the EOC in Evansville was damaged by
winds that may have been in the 70-80mph range. The atmosphere ahead
of these storms continues to be very favorable for severe weather
with moderately unstable MLCAPE, very low LCLs, steep mid-level
lapse rates, and extremely strong shear. Surface winds are mostly
still from the SSW, but some backing has occurred on Mesonet sites
just ahead of the line. The only minor limiting factors are some
slightly warm temperatures showing up on ACARS soundings around
700mb and just weak to moderate low level lapse rates.

Note that while these storms must be taken very seriously as they
move in, this round of severe weather is not the expected "main
show" for the day. Supercell development this afternoon will have
the potential to produce damaging winds, very large hail, and
destructive tornadoes.

Issued at 632 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

A severe linear MCS oriented NNE to SSW is now pushing east across
southern IL and quickly approaching southwestern IN and western KY.
This squall line has a significant line-normal component to the 50
kt WSW 0-3 km shear vector. Several mesovortices have been noted in
this wavy line, and multiple Tornado Warnings are in effect
(including for Paducah KY). This line is expected to continue moving
ENE into our westernmost southern IN and central KY counties by 615-
630 AM CDT.

The downstream environment appears favorable for maintenance of the
line. While low-level lapse rates are marginal, 0-3 km MLCAPE
exceeding 50 J/kg suggests sufficient low-level buoyancy is
present to support further mesovortexgenesis. LCL heights have
dipped below 750 m.

Low-level shear/SRH is quite strong, with 0-1 km bulk shear of 35
kts and effective SRH exceeding 250 m2/s2. The Significant Tornado
Parameter has increased to 2-3. Damaging straight-line winds
and tornadoes will be possible with this line as it pushes east.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 405 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

A warm frontal boundary remains draped ENE through southern Indiana
early this morning, near/just north of the CWA border. Widespread
convection is ongoing from near a triple point over Missouri ENE
into Indiana. Warmer air aloft has kept a lid on convection up to
this point in far southern IN and central KY. Recent mesoanalysis
data and SDF ACARS soundings show a relatively weaker mid-level cap
now in southern IN and north-central KY. Local radar remains quiet
at this hour, and we've only had some weak SCT warm advection
showers develop overnight amid a strengthening SW LLJ.

In the near-term, attention will first be focused on the MCS pushing
east-northeast near and south of the St. Louis Metro. This
convection could pose an isolated severe weather risk in southern
Indiana during the mid-morning hours. The main concern is isolated
damaging winds, though hail and a brief tornado cannot be ruled out.
It appears this convection will continue to ride the modest
instability gradient associated with the effective warm
front/convective outflow boundary. While instability is modest, LCLs
are lowering in a moist airmass. Low-level and deep-layer shear have
strengthened recently, and a concerning amount of low-level SRH has
helped the Significant Tornado Parameter rise to around 1 in
southern IN.

The severe weather threat appears to be much lower further south
into central KY early in the day. However, our concern has increased
for the afternoon and evening hours. With the possibility of
relatively sparse precip coverage over portions of the area this
morning, there is more confidence in sufficient BL heating and
destabilization by mid-afternoon. Sfc temps are currently hovering
near 70 with sfc dewpoints in the low to mid 60s. Sfc temps in drier
areas should easily warm into the mid/upper 70s this afternoon,
allowing MLCAPE of 1500+ J/kg.

As the synoptic scale trough evolves across the central CONUS today,
SW winds aloft strengthen substantially from the southern Plains
through the Ohio Valley. A 50 kt SW LLJ is forecast to take shape
across the Ohio Valley, supporting long/looping hodographs with
notable veering in the lowest 1 km. As broad, deep ascent increases
across the warm sector, scattered to numerous thunderstorms are
expected this afternoon and evening. The instability/shear parameter
space is more than sufficient for supercellular structure. At least
scattered supercell thunderstorms are likely to initiate over
central KY and southern IN early this afternoon. A WSW oriented deep
shear vector of 60-75 kts will help increase residence time of even
rapidly moving supercells in the warm sector. All severe hazards
remain on the table, including damaging winds, tornadoes, and large
hail. Strong and/or long-track tornadoes are also possible.

Any severe threat will end this evening with the passage of the sfc
cold front, which occurs from west to east between roughly 21-03Z.
So, the primary window of concern for severe weather is early
afternoon through this evening. After a discussion with the Storm
Prediction Center, the Enhanced and Moderate Risk convective outlook
areas were both expanded somewhat to the southwest given the
increasing confidence in the mesoscale environment and the very
concerning look to forecast soundings.

While the weather has been quiet overnight, this is not the time to
let down your guard. Have a severe weather plan in place and be
ready to implement it today. Have multiple ways of receiving
warnings, such as NOAA Weather Radio, smart phone wireless alerts,
local broadcast media, and internet/social media.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 405 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

Wednesday and Thursday...

By sunrise Wednesday morning, the cold front will have pushed across
the spine of the Appalachians with cool NW winds spilling across the
Ohio and Tennessee valleys behind the front. A brief reprieve from
rain chances would be expected Wednesday morning as the dry conveyor
belt will briefly work across the region before moisture trapped
beneath the upper low pushes into the region by the afternoon hours.
Speaking of the upper low, by Wednesday morning it should become
completely cut off as well as vertically stacked over the sfc low,
spinning about across the southern Great Lakes and upper Ohio Valley
Wednesday and Thursday before gradually ejecting eastward on Friday.

As the low spins overhead Wednesday afternoon, steep low- and mid-
level lapse rates and ample low-level moisture should provide the
necessary ingredients for scattered showers. A few shallow-topped
thunderstorms with small hail cannot be ruled out Wednesday
afternoon as model soundings show up to 500 J/kg SBCAPE, and
freezing levels will be quite shallow. In general, p-types should be
primarily liquid during the daytime hours Wednesday, but by
Wednesday night, soundings show the near-sfc above-freezing layer
decreasing in depth, making wintry p-types much more likely. With
saturation into the DGZ expected to continue into early Thursday
morning, would not be surprised if we saw multiple bands of
rain/snow showers, especially east of I-65 Wednesday night into
Thursday. A brief dusting of snow cannot be ruled out; however,
significant impacts from snow are not expected at this time.
Scattered rain showers will continue on and off into the day on
Thursday, likely driven by diurnal heating trends.

It will also be quite breezy Wednesday into Thursday as the sfc low
spins over the lower Great Lakes. Sustained NW winds of 15-25 mph
with gusts as high as 35 mph will make things feel quite cold,
especially with limited sunshine. Breezy NW winds will continue into
Thursday and Friday, gradually decreasing in magnitude as high
pressure moves closer to the region. The combination of mostly
cloudy skies and persistent cold advection will cause well-below
normal temperatures Wednesday and Thursday. ECMWF Extreme Forecast
Index indicates moderate-high confidence (EFI of -0.7 to -0.8) in
abnormally cold high temperatures Wednesday and Thursday. The
current forecast calls for temperatures to struggle to make it out
of the 40s, especially on Thursday.

Friday through Monday...

Friday, the upper low will begin to pull off to the east with height
rises beginning across the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. We may begin
to see breaks in the cloud cover, especially across southwestern
portions of the CWA, which should help high temperatures begin a
gradual trend upward which will continue over the weekend. Much of
the late week and weekend period will be quiet across the region as
a large ridge of high pressure moves across the region. This should
help skies to clear and winds to die down, which will increase the
likelihood for a frost and/or freeze Saturday morning. Confidence in
sub-freezing temperatures Saturday morning has increased, with NBM
probabilities of sub-freezing temps now ranging from 50% along the
TN border to 90% across southern IN. Cloud cover will begin to
increase Sunday as another system ejects east from the central
Rockies into the Great Plains. At this time, there is still quite a
bit of uncertainty with the setup next Monday and how it would
impact potential eclipse viewing conditions. If the upper low is
able to eject farther eastward, as in the 00Z GFS, more clouds and
rain showers would be possible on Monday as a sfc low moves through
the region. On the other hand, if the upper low hangs farther west,
moisture would remain limited this far east, resulting in higher
chances for unobstructed skies.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 739 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

An outflow boundary is sinking south through southern Indiana and
northern Kentucky and is set to briefly turn winds northwesterly in
its wake (SDF). However, a severe squall line is also pushing
through HNB as of this writing and will continue pushing east
through mid-morning. Severe wind gusts and/or tornadoes are possible
with this line. BWG and LEX will see quieter weather initially, but
expect showers and VCTS at LEX by 14-15Z.

Additional strong to severe storms are likely this afternoon and
evening ahead of a cold front. Expect gusty SSW winds and low clouds
this morning, with ceilings improving with partial clearing this
afternoon and early evening. A final line of SHRA will be will be
possible this evening along the cold front, with winds veering W/NW
tonight.

&&

.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...Flood Watch through this evening for KYZ032-033-035>037-
     040>043-049.
IN...Flood Watch through this evening for INZ079.

&&

MESOSCALE...13/EBW
SHORT TERM...EBW
LONG TERM...CSG
AVIATION...EBW
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 2, 7:06 AM EDT, 1 hour 50 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Louisville KY
706 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

KYZ032-033-035>037-040>043-049-031115-
Trimble-Henry-Franklin-Scott KY-Harrison KY-Woodford-Fayette-Bourbon-
Nicholas-Clark KY-
Including the cities of Bedford, Milton, New Castle, Frankfort,
Georgetown, Cynthiana, Versailles, Lexington, Paris, Carlisle,
and Winchester
706 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...
...TORNADO WATCH 73 IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT TODAY...

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central
Indiana and Central Kentucky.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

Severe storms with tornadoes and damaging winds are possible this
morning.

Severe storms are likely this afternoon and evening, with damaging
winds, very large hail, and tornadoes all expected.

Flash flooding will be possible in areas that receive repeated bouts
of torrential rain.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Freezing temperatures are expected Saturday morning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions today.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

Storms will move from west to east at 50 to 60 mph.

Any users of this storm motion must be aware that thunderstorm activity
can be erratic and constantly evolving.  Please use this with caution
and be prepared for changing conditions.

&&

More information, along with other weather, hydrological and
climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville.

INZ083-084-089>092-KYZ023>031-034-038-039-045>048-053>057-061>067-
031115-
Dubois-Crawford-Perry-Harrison IN-Floyd-Clark IN-Hancock-
Breckinridge-Meade-Ohio-Grayson-Hardin-Bullitt-Jefferson-Oldham-
Shelby-Spencer-Anderson-Nelson-Washington KY-Mercer-Jessamine-Larue-
Marion-Boyle-Garrard-Madison-Butler-Edmonson-Hart-Green-Taylor-Casey-
Lincoln-
Including the cities of Jasper, English, Tell City, Corydon,
New Albany, Jeffersonville, Lewisport, Hawesville, Hardinsburg,
Brandenburg, Hartford, Leitchfield, Elizabethtown, Shepherdsville,
Louisville, La Grange, Shelbyville, Taylorsville, Lawrenceburg,
Bardstown, Springfield, Harrodsburg, Nicholasville, Hodgenville,
Lebanon, Danville, Lancaster, Richmond, Morgantown, Brownsville,
Horse Cave, Greensburg, Campbellsville, Liberty, and Stanford
706 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024 /606 AM CDT Tue Apr 2 2024/

...TORNADO WATCH 73 IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT /11 AM CDT/ TODAY...

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central
Indiana and Central Kentucky.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

Severe storms with tornadoes and damaging winds are possible this
morning.

Severe storms are likely this afternoon and evening, with damaging
winds, very large hail, and tornadoes all expected.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Freezing temperatures are expected Saturday morning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions today.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

Storms will move from west to east at 50 to 60 mph.

Any users of this storm motion must be aware that thunderstorm activity
can be erratic and constantly evolving.  Please use this with caution
and be prepared for changing conditions.

&&

More information, along with other weather, hydrological and
climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville.

INZ076>078-KYZ070>078-081-082-031115-
Orange-Washington IN-Scott IN-Logan-Warren-Simpson-Allen-Barren-
Monroe-Metcalfe-Adair-Russell-Cumberland-Clinton-
Including the cities of Paoli, Salem, Scottsburg, Russellville,
Bowling Green, Franklin, Providence, Scottsville, Glasgow,
Tompkinsville, Edmonton, Columbia, Jamestown, Burkesville,
and Albany
706 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024 /606 AM CDT Tue Apr 2 2024/

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central
Indiana and Central Kentucky.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

Isolated severe storms are possible this morning north of Interstate
64. The main threats are locally damaging winds, brief tornadoes, and
marginally severe hail.

Severe storms are likely this afternoon and evening, with damaging
winds, very large hail, and tornadoes all possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Freezing temperatures are expected Saturday morning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions today.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

Storms will move from west to east at 50 to 60 mph.

Any users of this storm motion must be aware that thunderstorm activity
can be erratic and constantly evolving.  Please use this with caution
and be prepared for changing conditions.

&&

More information, along with other weather, hydrological and
climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville.

INZ079-031115-
Jefferson IN-
Including the city of Madison
706 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central
Indiana and Central Kentucky.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

Severe storms are likely this afternoon and evening, with damaging
winds, very large hail, and tornadoes all expected.

Flash flooding will be possible in areas that receive repeated bouts
of torrential rain.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Freezing temperatures are expected Saturday morning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions today.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

Storms will move from west to east at 50 to 60 mph.

Any users of this storm motion must be aware that thunderstorm activity
can be erratic and constantly evolving.  Please use this with caution
and be prepared for changing conditions.

&&

More information, along with other weather, hydrological and
climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville.

13

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 2, 6:27 AM EDT, 2 hours 29 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
627 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

INZ083-021130-
Dubois IN-
627 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

...A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL APPROACH DUBOIS COUNTY WITHIN
THE NEXT HOUR...

At 623 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Omega to near Crainville. Movement was
east at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging straight-line winds and quick spin-up tornadoes
         are possible. This is a heads up that a line of strong to
         severe storms is approaching Dubois County.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

Locations impacted include...
Jasper, Huntingburg, Ferdinand, Holland, Portersville, Millersport,
Bretzville, Dubois Crossroads, Kellerville, and Haysville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3851 8707 3850 8706 3851 8705 3851 8700
      3850 8698 3850 8696 3849 8696 3849 8695
      3851 8693 3850 8691 3850 8688 3853 8683
      3852 8679 3820 8689 3820 8707
TIME...MOT...LOC 1023Z 271DEG 50KT 3863 8875 3773 8902

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

CSG
Special weather statement, Apr 2, 7:59 AM EDT, 57 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
759 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

KYZ023>028-061>063-071-021300-
Hart KY-Grayson KY-Warren KY-Edmonson KY-Butler KY-Hancock KY-
Meade KY-Ohio KY-Hardin KY-Breckinridge KY-
759 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN MEADE...
SOUTHEASTERN HANCOCK...NORTHWESTERN HART...BUTLER...GRAYSON...
NORTHERN WARREN...BRECKINRIDGE...SOUTHWESTERN HARDIN...EASTERN OHIO
AND EDMONSON COUNTIES THROUGH 900 AM EDT/800 AM CDT/...

At 759 AM EDT/659 AM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm 10 miles south of Hardinsburg, moving east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Leitchfield, Morgantown, Hardinsburg, Brownsville, Casey, Webster,
Lee, Irvington, Cloverport, and Clarkson.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until noon EDT/1100 AM CDT/ for
south central Indiana...and central and south central Kentucky.

&&

LAT...LON 3718 8689 3718 8690 3792 8658 3796 8600
      3706 8607 3713 8691 3714 8692
TIME...MOT...LOC 1159Z 275DEG 82KT 3762 8644

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Gordon
Special weather statement, Apr 2, 8:08 AM EDT, 48 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
808 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

INZ090>092-KYZ025-028>031-034-038-021245-
Floyd IN-Clark IN-Harrison IN-Jefferson KY-Shelby KY-Oldham KY-
Bullitt KY-Spencer KY-Meade KY-Hardin KY-
808 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN HARRISON...SOUTH
CENTRAL CLARK...SOUTH CENTRAL FLOYD...SOUTHEASTERN OLDHAM...
NORTHWESTERN SPENCER...NORTHWESTERN SHELBY...EAST CENTRAL MEADE...
JEFFERSON...NORTHERN BULLITT AND NORTH CENTRAL HARDIN COUNTIES
THROUGH 845 AM EDT...

At 808 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 6 miles northwest of St.
Dennis to 6 miles west of Valley Station to near Brandenburg.
Movement was east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Louisville, Jeffersonville, New Albany, Jeffersontown, St. Matthews,
Shively, Shepherdsville, Lyndon, Middletown, and Douglass Hills.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until noon EDT for south central
Indiana...and central Kentucky.

&&

LAT...LON 3834 8531 3815 8533 3797 8557 3797 8619
      3810 8604 3826 8598
TIME...MOT...LOC 1208Z 265DEG 54KT 3823 8594 3811 8597 3801 8612

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

RJS
Special weather statement, Apr 2, 8:35 AM EDT, 21 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
835 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

KYZ029-034-035-038>040-045>047-021300-
Shelby KY-Bullitt KY-Mercer KY-Woodford KY-Franklin KY-Spencer KY-
Washington KY-Nelson KY-Anderson KY-
835 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SPENCER...SOUTHERN SHELBY...
NORTHEASTERN NELSON...NORTHWESTERN MERCER...NORTHERN WOODFORD...
ANDERSON...NORTHEASTERN WASHINGTON...CENTRAL BULLITT AND SOUTHERN
FRANKLIN COUNTIES THROUGH 900 AM EDT...

At 835 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from Shelbyville to 9 miles west
of Taylorsville to near Shepherdsville. Movement was east at 55 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...
Frankfort, Shelbyville, Lawrenceburg, Versailles, Taylorsville,
Ballard, Midway, Bloomfield, Fairfield, and Yoder.

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.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Louisville.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until noon EDT for central
Kentucky.

&&

LAT...LON 3788 8489 3782 8517 3792 8579 3800 8556
      3823 8528 3820 8473 3819 8473 3818 8471
      3818 8469 3817 8468 3818 8468 3818 8465
      3816 8466 3816 8464 3815 8465 3815 8464
      3814 8464
TIME...MOT...LOC 1235Z 285DEG 53KT 3822 8523 3799 8550 3792 8573

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

RJS
Special weather statement, Apr 2, 8:46 AM EDT, 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
846 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

KYZ028-053-063-064-021315-
Hart KY-Larue KY-Hardin KY-Green KY-
846 AM EDT Tue Apr 2 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN GREEN...
SOUTHWESTERN LARUE...NORTHEASTERN HART AND SOUTHERN HARDIN COUNTIES
THROUGH 915 AM EDT/815 AM CDT/...

At 846 AM EDT/746 AM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong
thunderstorm 9 miles west of Elizabethtown, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Elizabethtown, Hodgenville, Sonora, Wards, Boundary Oak, Cecilia,
Howe Valley, Vertrees, Magnolia, and Hansbrough.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until noon EDT/1100 AM CDT/ for
central Kentucky.

&&

LAT...LON 3777 8608 3747 8557 3746 8558 3747 8559
      3746 8559 3739 8566 3770 8620
TIME...MOT...LOC 1246Z 286DEG 41KT 3773 8604

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Gordon

The surface observations

Capital City Airport/Frankfort (FFT), 29 km from the path, in the two hours either side.

Time (UTC)Temp (°F)Dew point (°F)WindGust (kt)Pressure (mb)Weather
00:00 UTC

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.

The radar

The Louisville radar (KLVX), 80 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 12:52 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

This ground now

The live radar over the trackEvery 2024 tornado in KentuckyEvery tornado in Kentucky since 1950Warnings in force in Kentucky nowThe forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of April 2, 2024

68 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

DateTimeRatingWherePath (mi)Width (yd)DeathsInjuriesDamage
April 24:15 AM CDTEF0Cape Girardeau, MO0.4150$5,000
April 24:46 AM CDTEF2Williamson, IL6.7250$300,000
April 24:56 AM CDTEF1Williamson, IL7.6250$205,000
April 25:05 AM CDTEF1McCracken, KY0.650$75,000
April 25:15 AM CDTEF2Saline, IL1.11002$225,000
April 25:21 AM CDTEF1Gallatin, IL1.0100$80,000
April 25:22 AM CDTEF1Gallatin, IL to IN7.4100$111,000
April 25:26 AM CDTEF1Gallatin, IL2.075$80,000
April 25:30 AM CDTEF2Posey, IL to IN11.9250$135,000
April 25:34 AM CDTEF2Union, KY6.8150$500,000
April 25:37 AM CDTEF2Posey, IN11.6250$250,000
April 25:41 AM CDTEF1Union, KY1.250$85,000
April 25:46 AM CDTEF1Union, KY0.71001$130,000
April 25:47 AM CDTEF2Vanderburgh, IN14.9250$428,000
April 25:47 AM CDTEF2Vanderburgh, IN14.9250$520,000
April 25:54 AM CDTEF1Vanderburgh, IN7.3200$230,000
April 25:57 AM CDTEF1Vanderburgh, IN5.3200$135,000
April 26:04 AM CDTEF1Warrick, IN1.6100$75,000
April 26:05 AM CDTEF1Warrick, IN8.4200$100,000
April 28:50 AM EDTEF1Washington, KY5.0125
April 29:11 AM EDTEF1Woodford, KY1.8300
April 29:18 AM EDTEF1Jessamine, KY0.4150
April 29:20 AM EDTEF1Bourbon, KY12.7100
April 29:30 AM EDTEF1Clark, KY1.9150
April 29:37 AM EDTEF0Bath, KY0.475$200,000
April 29:39 AM EDTEF0Bath, KY0.125$40,000
April 29:12 AM CDTEF1Greenup, KY to OH7.92501$2.1 million
April 210:21 AM EDTEF1Boyd, KY1.1250$100,000
April 210:24 AM EDTEF2Boyd, KY1.1450$200,000
April 210:26 AM EDTEF1Lawrence, OH1.1200$50,000
April 210:34 AM EDTEF1Cabell, WV0.6280$70,000
April 210:34 AM EDTEF1Lawrence, OH0.4250$10,000
April 210:39 AM EDTEF1Cabell, WV4.2200$75,000
April 210:40 AM EDTEF1Gallia, OH0.5150$50,000
April 210:54 AM EDTEF1Putnam, WV8.5200$8,000
April 210:55 AM EDTEF0Putnam, WV0.6100$10,000
April 211:02 AM EDTEF1Kanawha, WV5.0300$300,000
April 211:04 AM EDTEF2Kanawha, WV8.0300$40,000
April 211:11 AM EDTEF1Kanawha, WV5.1200$60,000
April 211:19 AM EDTEF1Kanawha, WV2.3200$80,000
April 211:21 AM EDTEF1Kanawha, WV0.8100$70,000
April 21:09 PM EDTEF1Harrison, IN3.230
April 22:02 PM CDTEF0Kankakee, IL4.650
April 22:10 PM CDTUnratedKankakee, IL0.710
April 22:30 PM CDTEF0Kankakee, IL0.525
April 24:31 PM EDTEF2Fayette, WV5.33251$100,000
April 25:20 PM EDTEF1Morgan, TN2.9150$10,000
April 24:31 PM CDTEF2Clark, IN to KY11.245032
April 25:46 PM EDTEF2Oldham, KY5.3300
April 25:52 PM EDTEF1Ohio, IN3.3100$50,000
April 25:53 PM EDTEF0Wayne, IN3.4200$200,000
April 24:55 PM CDTEF1Colbert, AL7.0750
April 25:58 PM EDTEF1Henry, KY7.8200
April 26:01 PM CDTEF0Limestone, AL1.1123
April 27:15 PM EDTEF0Bracken, KY3.2250$750,000
April 27:27 PM EDTEF1Mason, KY3.5300$300,000
April 27:46 PM EDTEF1Adams, OH7.95001$200,000
April 28:08 PM EDTEF0Licking, OH5.3150$50,000
April 28:32 PM EDTEF1Muskingum, OH8.275$950,000
April 28:47 PM EDTEF2Jackson, OH1.9325$20,000

All 69 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.