National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Dangerous Heat over the South-Central and Southwest U.S. Through Next Week

Dangerous heat persists across the Desert Southwest through this weekend and across the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley through at least the middle of next week. Numerous daily record high temperatures are expected through at least Tuesday for much of Texas and Oklahoma as well as portions of Louisiana, New Mexico, and Arizona. Read More >

Overview

An upper level low over the southern great lakes helped to generate several rounds of showers and storms across east Kentucky on July 20th.  Plentiful moisture moved northward into the Ohio river valley thanks to modest southerly flow.  With ample daytime heating, explosive thunderstorm development was seen across central and eastern Kentucky.  While a tornado and hail threat was seen initially across central Kentucky, the wind threat took over as thunderstorms evolved into a line of storms.  Many reports of storm damage were received with the most extensive damage occurring along and north of the Mountain Parkway, particularly in Montgomery County where Emergency Management reported that 47 roads were closed at one point due to downed trees and power lines resulting in nearly 4,600 power outages. Additionally, a disaster declaration was made for the county as multiple buildings sustained damage. These included a tobacco warehouse that had its roof blown off as well as a hotel in Mount Sterling whose sign and building both sustained damage from severe straight-line winds. 

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Tree Down in Mount Sterling (Photo courtesy of Kendra Fugate) Shelf Cloud in London (Photo courtesy of Johnnie Nicholson) Clay Tobacco Warehouse in Mount Sterling (Photo courtesy of Kendra Fugate)