EF1 tornado in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky

The tornado entered Muhlenberg County from Christian County along Highway 189, where downed trees blocked the road along a stretch one-half mile long. A house near the county line sustained minor damage. Utility lines and trees were brought down across Highway 189. A few barns were destroyed. A couple dozen trees were down. A home sustained considerable damage to the roof, including a few rafters that were blown away. The back deck of the home was destroyed. Another home near the end of the damage path sustained minor roof damage. The tornado was witnessed by a number of people, including at least two witnesses who videotaped it. Peak winds were estimated near 105 mph.

An outbreak of supercells with large hail and isolated tornadoes affected western Kentucky during the afternoon and early evening. The initial round of thunderstorms occurred early in the afternoon over northwest Kentucky. These storms, which produced a major hailstorm and flash flood in the Owensboro area, were triggered by a weak upper-level low over northern Illinois. This initial round of thunderstorms produced an outflow of cooler air that settled south into southwest Kentucky. By mid-afternoon, isolated supercells with tornadoes fired up along the leading edge of cooler air. Strong westerly upper-level winds associated with the upper-level low over Illinois provided ample wind shear for supercells. A southwest wind flow of moist and unstable air in the lower levels of the atmosphere provided fuel for the storms. Low-level winds up to around 40 knots enhanced low-level wind shear, providing a favorable environment for tornadoes. The supercells lingered well into the evening.