A round of strong to severe thunderstorms impacted western Kentucky during the late night and early morning hours of Jan. 11-12. The storms produced some gusty winds and even a tornado just after they crossed the Mississippi River into extreme southern Illinois and extreme west Kentucky. The main hazard then transitioned to large hail across much of western Kentucky. The storms were organized into clusters and occasionally line segments. The storms occurred along a warm front as it tracked northward across western Kentucky into the lower Ohio Valley. Steep lapse rates aloft and strong deep-layer wind shear were supportive of elevated hailers. An isolated tornado threat existed due to modest instability as boundary layer dew points rose into the upper 50's to near 60 degrees.

Hail in MARSHALL, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 03:40:00 to 12-JAN-23 03:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: CALVERT CITY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in CALDWELL, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 04:07:00 to 12-JAN-23 04:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRINCETON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Tornado in MCCRACKEN, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 02:07:00 to 12-JAN-23 02:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: RAGLAND
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado crossed from Ballard County into the extreme northwest corner of McCracken County. There was no observed damage in McCracken County. The tornado was over dormant farmland before crossing the Ohio River into Massac County, Illinois.

Tornado in BALLARD, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 02:03:00 to 12-JAN-23 02:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: MONKEYS EYEBROW
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado began several miles northwest of Kevil and tracked northeast across mostly dormant farmland. A farmhouse received moderate damage, mostly to the roof and siding. Many trees were snapped and/or uprooted. Multiple metal roof panels were blown off two large barns. The top half of a clay tile silo was destroyed. Peak winds were estimated near 90 mph along this segment of track. The tornado crossed into the extreme northwest corner of McCracken County near the Ohio River.

Hail in CRITTENDEN, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 02:23:00 to 12-JAN-23 02:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARION
Magnitude: 1.75 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Photos were taken of golf ball size hail.

Hail in MCCRACKEN, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 03:34:00 to 12-JAN-23 03:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: REIDLAND
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail up to the size of golf balls was reported in the Reidland area. Numerous houses in a subdivision near exit 16 off Interstate 24 sustained roof damage. The vast majority of the hailstones were smaller than quarters. Copious amounts of hail covered the ground in some places, especially along Interstate 24 around exit 16. There was enough hail to cause a vehicle accident near exit 16. Small drifts of hail were still visible along the interstate into the early afternoon hours.

Hail in WEBSTER, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 02:49:00 to 12-JAN-23 02:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLAY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in UNION, KENTUCKY
From 12-JAN-23 03:04:00 to 12-JAN-23 03:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: STURGIS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement