NWS Louisville Doppler Radar - Severe Storms January 2, 2006

Severe Weather Threats Across the Plains; Dangerous Heat and Wildfire Concerns for the West; Watching the Tropics

Severe thunderstorms are expected across the Central Plains accompanied by damaging wind gusts and large hail. In addition, heavy rainfall may lead to instances of flash flooding from the Plains and mid-Atlantic regions. The heavy rainfall threat continues across Florida and across the northern Gulf as we monitor a tropical disturbance tracking westward. Critical fire weather for the Great Basin. Read More >

NWS Doppler Radar (WSR-88D) Example Products

NWS Louisville reflectivity images of supercell thunderstorms over Hardin, northern Hart, and western Larue counties in central Kentucky on January 2, 2006. The radar is at Ft. Knox at the top of the images. Heavy rain and hail occurred from many of the storms. A tornado also developed from the cell in central Hardin. The storm was non-tornadic in the far left image, but a short time later had a tornado on the ground at the small red dot in the storm's hook echo near Rineyville (near left image).

This event occurred in early January. Severe weather and tornadoes can occur in any month of the year across the Ohio Valley, and is referred to as "cool season severe weather." If enough warm, moist air is drawn northward from the Gulf of America ahead of a strong low pressure system to the west, then severe storms can erupt which are supported by moderate or strong wind shear in the atmosphere.