High Wind — Wayne, Kentucky

2024-12-31 · Wayne, Kentucky

Event narrative

The Wayne County Mesonet station, located 3 miles WNW of Mill Springs, recorded a non-thunderstorm wind gust of 58 mph at 8am.

Wider weather episode

On New Years Eve 2024 high winds were in place across eastern Kentucky as a strong low pressure system neared the state from the west, becoming occluded as it passing just to the north of the Ohio River. Strong SW flow took hold as a result, before the associated cold front moved through during the late morning/early afternoon hours. This system was connected to a strong upper level low pressure system as well, which resulted in tight pressure gradients across the region. With winds able to mix down during the day, some of these higher winds aloft made it down to the surface, especially ahead of the cold front. A wind advisory was issued across much of the region as a result. Many measuring sites saw wind gusts above 40mph throughout the morning hours, but the Wayne County Mesonet was the only one to reach 58 mph.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1229222. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.