Tornadoes · United States · Kentucky · 2026
EF0 tornado, Morgantown, Kentucky, May 22, 2026
This EF0 tornado ran 0.3 miles across Butler County on May 22, 2026, touching down at 7:02 PM CDT and reaching 30 yards wide. It killed nobody.
Preliminary. This is NWS LMK's damage survey, filed in the Damage Assessment Toolkit as Morgantown Tornado. The rating, the path and the casualties are the survey's and can change while it is revised. The Storm Prediction Center compiles the official record of 2026 from these surveys and publishes it in the spring of 2027; this page moves to that tornado's permanent address when it does.
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.
EF065 to 85 mphthis tornado
Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.
EF186 to 110 mph
Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.
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.
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.
EF4166 to 200 mph
Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.
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.
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 survey
- Rating, as surveyed
- EF0, preliminary
- Date
- May 22, 2026
- Touchdown
- 7:02 PM CDT (00:02 UTC)
- Lifted
- 7:03 PM CDT (00:03 UTC)
- On the ground
- 1 minutes
- Path length
- 0.3 miles (0.5 km)
- Path width
- 30 yards (27 m)
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- County
- Butler County
- Touchdown point
- 37.203, -86.713
- Lift-off point
- 37.205, -86.708
- Highest wind the damage implies
- 85 mph
- Surveyed by
- NWS LMK
- The office's name for it
- Morgantown Tornado
- Survey last edited
- May 23, 2026
- Record number
- None yet. SPC numbers 2026 in the spring of 2027.
What the survey found
The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey and determined that an EF0 85 mph tornado occurred in southwest Morgantown the evening of Friday, May 22, 2026.
Tree damage was first observed at a farm at the end of Viles Cemetery Road, where several treetops were damaged and pointing in different directions ranging from the southwest to southeast consistent with a convergent pattern from the small tornado. The damage continued to the east toward Viles Cemetery where some large branches were on the ground. Nearby Viles Cemetery Road, a field of tall grasses were bent and laying south in the direction of the tornado inflow.
The tornado continued across Gardner Lane where Final Finish Repair Shop sustained extensive roof damage. The roof was peeled back to the northwest direction, while a lot of insulation was carried eastward into nearby trees and power lines. Right to the east of Final Finish Repair Shop, the tornado lifted with no additional ground damage. However, insulation from Final Finish Repair Shop was lofted into nearby fields, across the Natcher Parkway (I-165) and in nearby trees at the Butler County High School Football Stadium. In total the short lived tornado was 0.32 miles long, although insulation from the Final Finish Repair Shop was observed at least another third of a mile from the end of the tornado as it was carried by the thunderstorm.
The National Weather Service would like to thank Butler County Emergency Management for the assistance with the storm survey. The National Weather Service would also like to thank the many individuals who sent helpful pictures and video footage of the tornado.
Written by NWS LMK in the NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit. A survey is revised as better evidence arrives.
The damage survey
9 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS LMK, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF0. The highest wind the damage implies is 85 mph.
- Small debris trail of insulation in lines and in nearby field
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
A unique event with limited severe weather and flash flooding occurred during the evening hours on May 22nd. A surface low pressure system slowly moved across western Kentucky, with a warm front extending to the east-northeast across much of Kentucky. Along and south of this warm front, precipitable water values exceeding 1.7 inches lead to showers and a few thunderstorms which produced efficient rainfall rates. Where heavier showers and storms trained over eastern Shelby, Henry, and western Franklin County, a few instances of flash flooding were observed. Closer to the surface low pressure center, marginal amounts of instability (around 250-500 J/kg MLCAPE) combined with relatively impressive amounts of low-level shear and helicity along the warm front to produce miniature supercells. One of these mini supercells produced a brief EF0 tornado in Butler County near Butler County High School.
The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey and determined that an EF0 85 mph tornado occurred in southwest Morgantown during the evening of Friday, May 22, 2026. ||Tree damage was first observed at a farm at the end of Viles Cemetery Road, where several treetops were damaged and pointing in different directions ranging from the southwest to southeast consistent with a convergent pattern from the small tornado. The damage continued to the east toward Viles Cemetery where some large branches were on the ground. Nearby Viles Cemetery Road, a field of tall grasses were bent and laying south in the direction of the tornado inflow.||The tornado continued across Gardner Lane where Final Finish Repair Shop sustained extensive roof damage. The roof was peeled back to the northwest direction, while a lot of insulation was carried eastward into nearby trees and power lines. Right to the |east of Final Finish Repair Shop, the tornado lifted with no additional ground damage. However, insulation from Final Finish Repair Shop was lofted into nearby fields, across the Natcher Parkway and in nearby trees at the Butler County High School Football Stadium. In total the short lived tornado was 0.32 miles long, although insulation from the Final Finish Repair Shop was observed at least another third of a mile from the end of the tornado as it was carried by the thunderstorm.
From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.
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 May 22, 6:14 PM CDT, 48 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- * Showers and bands of storms will continue into the evening hours that bring a Marginal Risk for severe wind gusts and a small chance (2%) of a tornado. * There continues to be a flash flood threat this evening as some storms could train over the same areas with localized rain totals tonight ranging 2-4+". Rain slowly winds down Saturday afternoon. * Episodic bouts of showers/storms are expected to continue through the weekend and into the middle of next week. Localized excessive rainfall may result in flooding in some areas.
Area forecast discussion, May 22, 6:14 PM CDT, 48 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
714 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026
...Updated Aviation Discussion...
.KEY MESSAGES...
* Showers and bands of storms will continue into the evening hours
that bring a Marginal Risk for severe wind gusts and a small
chance (2%) of a tornado.
* There continues to be a flash flood threat this evening as some
storms could train over the same areas with localized rain totals
tonight ranging 2-4+". Rain slowly winds down Saturday afternoon.
* Episodic bouts of showers/storms are expected to continue through
the weekend and into the middle of next week. Localized excessive
rainfall may result in flooding in some areas.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Issued at 352 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026
Scattered showers are exiting our northern areas moving NE as
convective showers and storms are rolling through our southern CWA.
Everything is moving NE and will continue to bring heavy downpours
along with the Marginal Risk of strong to severe wind gusts, small
sized hail, and a small chance of a tornado (2%). A surface low has
formed from the influence of a negatively tilted trough axis
swinging through the Plains. A warm front associated with this low
is near the Ohio River moving north creating the scattered storms
across south/central KY. Through the rest of the evening, this
surface low will pump in a surge of moisture with PWATs still in the
1.6 - 2.0" inch range. With the aid of dewpoints in the upper 60s to
near 70, a southwesterly LLJ, and slightly increased instability,
storms will continue to form within the warm sector.
In addition to the severe threat, there remains a flash flooding
threat from these storms. A primary band of storms will push
northward and begin to pivot near the surface low center trekking in
our NW over southern IN later this evening. A weak boundary will
form along the Ohio driven by the surface low creating a convergence
zone at the surface to help maintain these storms in our western KY
and southern IN counties closer to midnight tonight. Depending on
the track of these storms and the location of the convergence zone
later, a few locations could see repeated rounds of heavy rain.
Latest HREF 6hr LPMM data suggests localized areas of 2-4" of rain
is possible with these storms, hence the expanded Flood Watch area.
We will monitor the progress of these storms and should concerns for
localized flooding build, additional flood products will be issued.
The severe threat diminishes quickly just near or after sunset with
the loss of daytime instability. The LLJ will remain overnight
helping whatever convection is left but will trend towards general
storms with rumbles of thunder tonight and sub-severe wind gusts.
CAPE values also plummet near sunset as well, further supporting
general showers and weak storms tonight. Lows tonight will be mild
in the low to mid 60s.
Through the overnight, shower and storm coverage diminishes as the
weak front from the surface low pushes to the northeast. Winds shift
out of the WSW though PWAT values drop very little with dewpoints
remaining in the low 60s. By Saturday morning, spotty showers are
expected to drift towards the east along the weak boundary. This
boundary will gradually slow and become near stationary, allowing an
axis of weak lift with our mositure-rich atmosphere to spawn more
showers or additional weak storms across central/eastern locations
in our CWA. Highs on Saturday remain mild in the upper 70s.
Eventually, rain should end for everyone by Saturday night. Rainfall
totals by Saturday night have a 75% chance to be in the 0.75 - 2"
range across the area, with locally heavier totals upwards of 4"
inches possible with repeated storms that train over the same area.
&&
.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 352 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026
Saturday Night...
The wave of low pressure responsible for our weather in the short
term continues to lift northeast into southern Ontario Saturday
night. A weakening sfc cold front will stall over the Ohio Valley.
We will have another weaker mid-level shortwave trough lift
northeast over the Lower Ohio Valley, but a drier overall airmass
will lead to relatively drier conditions. Spotty, light rain cannot
be ruled out overnight into early Sunday. Lows in the upper 50s and
lower 60s should be common.
Sunday - Sunday Night...
A deeper upper level trough is forecast to swing northeast over
Ontario and the Great Lakes on Sunday, with another upper level
shortwave moving east over Texas. Synoptic scale ascent looks
relatively weak over the Ohio Valley, but we will see another influx
of moisture streaming northeast from the Lower MS Valley. Only weak
low-level convergence is expected along the remnant boundary, but
diurnally-driven showers and storms will be possible in the
afternoon and evening.
Monday - Thursday...
A closed mid-level low will gradually rotate north from Texas into
the central Plains Monday through the middle of next week. A west-
east oriented axis of deep moisture pooled along a quasi-stationary
boundary will slowly lift north over KY and southern IN Monday into
Tuesday. PW values rise from 1.5 inches on Monday to 1.75 inches by
Tuesday. Slow-moving, persistent showers and occasional thunderstorm
activity will likely eventually lead to isolated flooding issues.
Fortunately, the ground can likely soak up most of this weekend's
rains in central KY due to drought conditions in recent weeks. We
will need to monitor observed rainfall trends through the weekend,
which will have an impact on the flooding potential next week.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 713 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026
Scattered showers are across the region, producing some heavy rain
at times and reduced vis. Impacts to flight categories will continue
through tonight, with mostly IFR cigs across the region. HNB has the
best chance of LIFR cigs overnight and into tomorrow morning.
Otherwise, we'll see sfc winds swing around as a sfc low spins
through the area. Quite variable directions are to be expected
during the period. Rain chances linger into tomorrow morning, with
slightly more favorable trend for drier weather tomorrow. Could
begin to see some slight improvements to cigs tomorrow as well,
though most terminals will remain in at least a MVFR status.
&&
.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...Flood Watch until 5 AM EDT Saturday for KYZ030-031-034-040-048-
057.
Flood Watch through Saturday morning for KYZ032-033-035>037-
041>043-049.
IN...Flood Watch until 5 AM EDT Saturday for INZ077-078-090>092.
Flood Watch through Saturday morning for INZ079.
&&
SHORT TERM...BKF
LONG TERM...EBW
AVIATION...CJPIn the hours before
Special weather statement, May 22, 3:07 PM CDT, 3 hours 55 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
307 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026
KYZ026-027-061-062-222045-
Grayson KY-Edmonson KY-Butler KY-Ohio KY-
307 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN BUTLER...WESTERN
GRAYSON...EAST CENTRAL OHIO AND NORTHWESTERN EDMONSON COUNTIES
THROUGH 345 PM CDT...
At 307 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles northeast of Morgantown, moving north 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...
Casey, Lee, Caneyville, Horse Branch, Steff, Tousey, Brooklyn, Do
Stop, Neafus, and Nash.
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.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Louisville.
&&
LAT...LON 3756 8637 3731 8637 3723 8659 3752 8673
TIME...MOT...LOC 2007Z 167DEG 22KT 3731 8648
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RJSSpecial weather statement, May 22, 5:59 PM CDT, 1 hour 3 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
559 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026
KYZ070-222330-
Logan KY-
559 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN LOGAN COUNTY
THROUGH 630 PM CDT...
At 559 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles south of Dunmor, moving northeast at 15 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...
Lewisburg, Insco, Spa, Diamond Springs, Wolf Lick, Lost City,
Harreldsville, Jerico, Edwards, and Hollow Bill.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Conditions are favorable for the development of weak, brief funnel
clouds. This type of funnel cloud is harmless, but on rare occasions
they can briefly touch down, producing wind gusts over 50 mph. If a
funnel cloud is spotted move indoors and report your sighting to the
National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3703 8705 3704 8705 3707 8694 3707 8692
3706 8686 3695 8681 3694 8703 3703 8706
TIME...MOT...LOC 2259Z 245DEG 15KT 3698 8699
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CSGSpecial weather statement, May 22, 6:19 PM CDT, 43 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
619 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026
KYZ061-070-222345-
Logan KY-Butler KY-
619 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026
...GUSTY SHOWERS WITH ROTATION WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL LOGAN AND
SOUTHWESTERN BUTLER COUNTIES THROUGH 645 PM CDT...
At 618 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking gusty showers near
Quality, moving northeast at 20 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...
Silver City, Harreldsville, Pleasant Hill, Dimple, Quality, Harper
Crossroads, Beechland, and Huntsville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Conditions are favorable for the development of weak, brief funnel
clouds. This type of funnel cloud is harmless, but on rare occasions
they can briefly touch down, producing wind gusts over 50 mph. If a
funnel cloud is spotted move indoors and report your sighting to the
National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3707 8696 3707 8694 3708 8694 3709 8690
3711 8690 3711 8689 3712 8690 3713 8690
3713 8691 3720 8685 3710 8671 3702 8689
3706 8697
TIME...MOT...LOC 2318Z 224DEG 18KT 3706 8691
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CSGLocal storm report, May 22, 6:40 PM CDT, 22 minutes before
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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
0.0 hours before the tornado, 120 km from the path. May 23, 2026.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 396 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -17 J/kg
- Surface CAPE
- 2078 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 719 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 29 kt
- 0-1 km bulk shear
- 29 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 209 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 219 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.3
- Supercell composite
- 6.6
- 0-3 km lapse rate
- 5.4 K/km
The surface observations
Bowling Green (BWG), 37 km from the path, in the two hours either side.
| Time (UTC) | Temp (°F) | Dew point (°F) | Wind | Gust (kt) | Pressure (mb) | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00 UTC |
From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.
The radar
The Ft Campbell radar (KHPX), 73 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 00:03 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 2026 tornado in KentuckyEvery tornado in Kentucky since 1950Warnings in force in Kentucky nowThe forecast where you are
The other tornadoes of May 22, 2026
11 more have been surveyed in the United States that day, so far.
| Date | Time | Rating | Where | Path (mi) | Width (yd) | Deaths | Injuries | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22 | 4:37 AM CDT | EF0 | Hinds, MS | 2.0 | 175 | |||
| May 22 | 9:28 AM CDT | EF0 | Choctaw, AL | 1.5 | 180 | |||
| May 22 | 10:33 AM CDT | EF1 | Clarke, AL | 3.1 | 100 | |||
| May 22 | 10:43 AM CDT | EF1 | Marengo, AL | 2.3 | 150 | |||
| May 22 | 10:47 AM CDT | EF0 | Marengo, AL | 0.2 | 40 | |||
| May 22 | 10:52 AM CDT | EF1 | Clarke, AL | 2.2 | 250 | |||
| May 22 | 12:13 PM CDT | EF1 | Tuscaloosa, AL | 2.6 | 150 | |||
| May 22 | 12:57 PM CDT | EF1 | Cullman, AL | 8.7 | 300 | |||
| May 22 | 5:16 PM CDT | Unrated | Woodbury, IA | 0.6 | 0 | |||
| May 22 | 5:42 PM CDT | Unrated | Cass, NE | 0.1 | 0 | |||
| May 22 | 6:58 PM EDT | EF0 | Claiborne, TN | 1.5 | 75 |
What this means
Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. A survey can be revised, so the rating, the path and the casualties can all still change.
Sources
NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit, the record the survey teams file from the damage, and NOAA Storm Prediction Center storm reports. Neither is the official database for 2026, which SPC publishes in the spring of 2027.