Bowling Green Tornado (2021)

This tornado formed approximately 2.3 miles east of Rocky Hill near Goldenrod Lane and tracked northeast for approximately 1.1 miles before crossing into western Barren County. The tornado continued approximately 9 miles into Barren County before crossing into southern Hart County. The tornado traveled approximately 7 more miles into Hart County before dissipating near Red Buck Estes Road at approximately 0154 CST. In Barren County, the tornado following along US 31W through Park City. In Park City the damage was rated EF1 with many barns encountering roof loss or complete failure, along with many trees found snapped or uprooted. The tornado continued along US 31W into Cave City where it strengthened to EF2 (130mph). The damage sustained here was major loss of roof structures to motels, hotels, and restaurants, highway signs destroyed, metal light poles collapsed, and major destruction to a trailer park. From here, the tornado continued along US 31W into Hart County.

Strong southern winds brought warm temperatures and plenty of moisture into an environment of strong wind shear ahead of an advancing cold front. This resulted in unusually warm temperatures for a December day and the ingredients to produce a historic tornado outbreak and flash flooding. This included multiple long track tornadoes. Central Kentucky saw 18 tornadoes that injured 96 and killed 18. An additional death occurred in a flash flood.