During the morning hours of January 12th, an area of low pressure moved through the Ohio Valley downstream of an upper trough across the mid-Mississippi Valley. The initial wave of storms along a warm front moved across north central Kentucky and southern Indiana during the pre-dawn hours, bringing generally sub-severe hail with isolated quarter-sized hail reports. Storms along this boundary were not surface based, but were able to utilize 500-1000 J/kg MUCAPE via steep mid-level lapse rates to produce convection which was of sufficient depth and strength to produce hailstones. Wind shear was more than sufficient for sustaining convection throughout the event, with anywhere from 50-60 kt effective bulk shear across central Kentucky. The second wave of severe convection formed ahead of the surface cold front, moving from west to east across the region during the early and mid-morning hours as a broken quasi-linear convective system (QLCS). Modest destabilization occurred ahead of this second line of storms; however, the antecedent near-surface inversion was able to erode, contributing to the development of 200-500 J/kg of SBCAPE. As a result, severe impacts transitioned from predominantly elevated ones to surface-based threats. While scattered straight-line wind damage was initially the dominant severe impact, convection encountered a local maximum in 0-1 km storm-relative helicity as it crossed Interstate 65, with greater than 300 m2/s2 0-1 km SRH analyzed on SPC hourly mesoscale analysis. In addition, the segment of the QLCS which passed through the Bluegrass region had an orientation which was more perpendicular to the 0-3 km bulk shear vector, indicating a greater potential for embedded tornadoes. Accordingly, appendages and breaks within the QLCS produced several brief tornadoes across the area, with tornadoes being reported in Henry, Mercer, Boyle, and Madison Counties. The line continued to push into eastern Kentucky during the late morning hours, with the severe threat ending shortly thereafter.

Hail in OLDHAM, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 05:35:00 to 12-JAN-23 05:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: CRESTWOOD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Multiple reports of quarter size hail were received from the Crestwood area.

Thunderstorm Wind in BRECKINRIDGE, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 06:05:00 to 12-JAN-23 06:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC DANIELS
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A barn was damaged and tree limbs were broken at a tobacco farm.

Thunderstorm Wind in BRECKINRIDGE, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 06:07:00 to 12-JAN-23 06:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: MADRID
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Ben Johnson Elementary School gymnasium sustained damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in LOGAN, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 06:31:00 to 12-JAN-23 06:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOMER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Scattered wind damage was observed along Barren Bailey Road, including damage to a few barns, a garage, a grain bin, and a few light poles.

Hail in BUTLER, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 06:44:00 to 12-JAN-23 06:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEEDMORE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Estimated quarter size hail fell in the Sugar Grove community.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUTLER, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 06:51:00 to 12-JAN-23 06:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: NAKER
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees were blown down on Reedyville Road near the Butler/Warren County line.

Thunderstorm Wind in WARREN, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 06:52:00 to 12-JAN-23 06:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: GLENMORE
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Trees were blown down on Reedyville road near the Warren/Butler County line.

Thunderstorm Wind in HART, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 07:25:00 to 12-JAN-23 07:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: CANMER
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown down along Boyds Knob Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREEN, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 07:44:00 to 12-JAN-23 07:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: EVE
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A porch roof and a playground were damaged along Aetna Grove Church Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in LARUE, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 08:10:00 to 12-JAN-23 08:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: TONIEVILLE
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees were blown down on Old Elizabethtown Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in NELSON, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 08:25:00 to 12-JAN-23 08:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: BALLTOWN
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees were downed along New Haven Road and St. Thomas Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in NELSON, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 08:28:00 to 12-JAN-23 08:28:00 (EST-5)
Location: BARDSTOWN
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees downed on Loretto Road near Willett Distillery.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARION, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 08:30:00 to 12-JAN-23 08:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: RAYWICK
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees were blown over in Raywick.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 08:35:00 to 12-JAN-23 08:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEBANON SPGFLD ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

AWOS at Lebanon-Springfield Airport observed a wind gust of 50 knots.

Hail in GRAYSON, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 09:30:00 to 12-JAN-23 09:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MEREDITH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Quarter-sized hail fell near a Dollar General southwest of Peonia.

Hail in MEADE, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 07:03:00 to 12-JAN-23 07:03:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRANDENBURG
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Nickel-sized hail observed in Brandenburg.

Hail in SCOTT, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 07:03:00 to 12-JAN-23 07:03:00 (EST-5)
Location: GEORGETOWN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail reported near Georgetown. Most hailstones were one-half inch in diameter, with the largest hailstones around nickel size.

Hail in HARRISON, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 07:27:00 to 12-JAN-23 07:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: BROADWELL
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Nickel-sized hail was observed at a gas station southwest of Cynthiana.

Hail in JEFFERSON, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 07:27:00 to 12-JAN-23 07:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: ST DENNIS
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Nickel-sized hail observed at a Waffle House in Shively.

Hail in GRAYSON, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 06:35:00 to 12-JAN-23 06:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEITCHFIELD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Penny-sized hail observed in Leitchfield.

Thunderstorm Wind in GARRARD, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 09:22:00 to 12-JAN-23 09:22:00 (EST-5)
Location: STONE
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees were blown down across Poor Ridge Pike near Sad Lane.

Thunderstorm Wind in JESSAMINE, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 09:20:00 to 12-JAN-23 09:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: NICHOLASVILLE
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Portions of a tin roof were peeled off of a barn by strong winds at the Jessamine County fairgrounds.

Tornado in HENRY, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 08:47:00 to 12-JAN-23 08:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: PLEASUREVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The National Weather Service in Louisville conducted a storm survey near Pleasureville in Henry County for storms that occurred Thursday morning. The survey team determined the damage was consistent with an EF1 tornado with maximum winds of 110 mph.
The tornado first touched down on a farm about a mile west of Pleasureville along Hillspring Road (route 1359). A large barn had damage to doors and side walls, and the structural integrity of the building was compromised and leaning. Another nearby shed was completely removed from the foundation and destroyed. A two-by-four was protruding from the field that was thrown by the tornado to the southeast. The tornado continued east across Hillspring Road to another farm where a barn was completely destroyed. Debris from the barn was thrown 100 yards away to the east into a nearby field with debris lofted into the standing trees. Another two-by-four thrown by the tornado was observed to the north of the barn and protruding from the field.
The tornado continued east another mile into the town of Pleasureville along Williams Street and Main Street (State Route 241). Several trees were snapped and uprooted in this area, including some homes that had significant roof damage. One mobile home also received roof damage and was moved from the concrete foundational blocks. Mud splatter was observed on cars and homes in this area, ranging in the south to west directions. As the tornado crossed over Main Street, power lines were damaged and homes had more roof and tree damage. Several trees were uprooted with large branches snapped and twisted in varying directions.
The tornado likely dissipated just to the east of homes damaged along Main Street in Pleasureville. No observable damage was evident along Castle Highway (US Route 421) looking west.

Tornado in MERCER, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 09:01:00 to 12-JAN-23 09:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROSE HILL
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The National Weather Service in Louisville conducted a storm damage survey in Mercer County for storms that rolled through during the mid-morning hours on January 12th. The survey found sporadic topping and twisting of trees on 165 Hunter Drive as well as 1111 Oakland Lane, where the tornado initially touched down. The damage was consistent with 70-75 mph wind gusts with a width of 80 yards.
The tornado continued downstream to a farm on the south side of Cornishville Road. It had sporadic tree damage including snapping, topping, and twisting of some softwood trees. It then destroyed an older barn, throwing roofing from the barn up to 200 yards downwind. The winds were between 75 to 85 mph during this portion of the tornado path.
The tornado increased in intensity at 1966 Cornishville Road, causing significant roof and gutter damage to two homes. Several trees were snapped and twisted. A large, older barn sustained significant roof and side panel damage. The debris from the roofs of two houses along with the barn was thrown towards the north, east, and southeasterly directions. A few pieces from the roof of the house were impaled in the ground. Winds in this area were between 95 to 100 mph with a width of 75 yards.
The tornado became more intermittent as it moved off to the east northeast. There was sporadic minor tree damage and two flipped sets of bleachers on the west side of Kenneth D. King Middle School near the tennis courts. Winds that struck the bleachers were around 75 mph. The tornado then lifted before hitting the school.

Tornado in BOYLE, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 09:10:00 to 12-JAN-23 09:11:00 (EST-5)
Location: WELLS LNDG
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The National Weather Service in Louisville conducted a storm damage survey in Boyle County for storms that rolled through during the mid-morning hours on January 12th. The survey team determined the damage was consistent with an EF1 tornado with maximum winds of 95 mph.
The initial touchdown occurred near the intersection of Tibbs Lane and Waterworks Road. A large, well-built garage sustained significant roof and side wall damage with a west side uplift of the foundation of the garage. The garage debris was thrown up to 150 yards to the east with portions of two-by-fours being driven into the ground. There were several trees topped, snapped, and uprooted facing from the north to the southeast. An owner of one of the homes was on his back porch and saw the tornado, and went into his basement. After some time, he came outside and two of his back porch support beams were bent and twisted. Winds in this area were determined to be 90 mph.
Aerial photography from a drone showed significant tree damage along Waterworks Road all the way to the Dix River. The drone showed that many trees were topped and/or twisted, and they were facing a northeasterly to southeasterly direction. At 2140 Waterworks Road, the worst damage occurred, with significant tree damage all around a well-built house that did not have any damage. At the back of the house, two very large hardwood trees were uprooted right next to each other, creating an enormous crater. Most significantly, one tree was facing due east and the other northeast. Additionally, a fairly well-built barn lost several roof panels. The owners of the house described a fifteen second deafening noise, with pine cones hitting their house from multiple directions. Winds at this house were estimated at 95 mph.
Drone photography showed the tree damage ended at the Dix River, but the survey team went across to the other side of the river to Taylor Road and Stoney Point Road in Garrard County, and no damage was found at all.

Tornado in MADISON, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 09:42:00 to 12-JAN-23 09:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: UNION CITY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado developed on the backside of a squall line, first touching down just south of Runyon Grove. Near this location the tornado snapped several trees and caused major damage to a hay barn. The tornado continued northeast, where it caused damage to a chicken coop and dog run. The tornado continued into the Braemar subdivision where it caused damage to numerous trees and roof damage to several homes. The tornado lifted a travel trailer over a red sports car. This action resulted in the travel trailer being flipped on its side and rotated 90 degrees from its original orientation. The tornado continued northeast of the subdivision where it lifted shortly thereafter. No downstream damage was found.

Thunderstorm Wind in MERCER, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 09:04:00 to 12-JAN-23 09:04:00 (EST-5)
Location: HARRODSBURG
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Straight-line wind damage to buildings and trees occurred in downtown Harrodsburg. This was outside of the tornado path which moved through western and northern portions of Harrodsburg.

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 09:36:00 to 12-JAN-23 09:36:00 (EST-5)
Location: RICHMOND
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Trees were blown down, roof and gutter damage occurred, and a car was flipped on its side along Lakeridge Drive in Richmond.

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 09:40:00 to 12-JAN-23 09:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: RICHMOND
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees were downed and limbs were blown across Main Street near Pin Oak Drive in Richmond.