May 2022 Summary

Though we had storms in the area on the days leading up to the Kentucky Derby, the actual day of the Derby itself was cool and cloudy with some patchy light rain, especially in the morning. The afternoon high of 64 was the coolest since 2017 when we saw a high of only 62.

After Derby we entered a dry and very warm spell from the 8th to the 13th, with afternoon temperatures in the 80s to around 90.

Although we had occasional stormy days throughout the month, as is typical for May in this area, the most unsettled part of the month was from the 14th to the 26th. On the 18th a powerful thunderstorm generated impressive 97 mph winds in southern Marion County, resulting in significant damage between Lebanon and the Taylor County line. The next day numerous storms produced damaging wind and huge hail throughout southern Indiana and north central Kentucky, including hail at least as big as baseballs striking the counties of Mercer, Jessamine, Fayette, and Harrison KY. Finally on the 26th thunderstorm winds gusting to 85 mph buffeted southeastern Adair County resulting in much tree damage.

Despite the active weather, parts of the area, especially southern Kentucky and the Louisville metro, were starting to show signs of dryness.

	Average Temperature	Departure from Normal	Precipitation	Departure from Normal
Bowling Green	70.5°	+2.5°	3.93"	-1.10"
Frankfort	68.1°	+2.6°	5.36"	+0.26"
Lexington	68.7°	+3.3°	3.84"	-1.60"
Louisville Ali	70.9°	+2.6°	3.23"	-1.95"
Louisville Bowman	69.6°	+2.4°	3.73"	-1.43"

Records

20th: Warm low of 73° at Bowling Green, warm low of 71° at Lexington, record high of 91° at Louisville, warm low of 76° at Louisville (tied record warm low for the month of May)

Storm damage in Marion County, KY on May 26, 2022

Trees and a mobile home toppled by 80 mph winds in Adair County on the 26th. NWS drone survey