On March 3rd, 2023, a historically strong low pressure system moved across the lower Ohio Valley, bringing heavy rainfall, severe weather, and most notably, very strong gradient winds as it moved across the region. On the synoptic scale, a shortwave upper-level trough located over the mid-Mississippi Valley became negatively tilted during the morning hours of March 3rd. A 120 knot 500 mb jet developed across central Kentucky and middle Tennessee in the presence of a very strong height gradient. The footprint of this jet core was transferred into the lower levels of the atmosphere, with a 70 knot jet at 850 mb present across the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. The orientation of the shortwave trough aloft with respect to the low level cyclone was nearly ideal for mutual amplification, with both the surface low and the upper trough undergoing deepening during the morning and early afternoon hours on March 3rd. Ultimately, the surface low's minimum central pressure dropped to approximately 976 millibars near Vincennes, Indiana by mid-afternoon on the 3rd, creating an anomalously strong low-level pressure and height gradient across central Kentucky and southern Indiana.
Before the severe weather and strong gradient winds began, the first impact from this strong mid-latitude cyclone would come in the form of heavy rainfall, primarily across southern Indiana. With the strong low-level jet helping to advect warm and moist air northward, precipitable water values were anomalously high, ranging from 1.3 to 1.6 inches across southern Indiana and central Kentucky during the morning hours on March 3rd. Coupled with an intensifying low level warm frontal boundary which provided a large-scale lifting mechanism, this axis of high moisture content contributed to a broad swath of precipitation, which lasted through much of the morning and early afternoon hours across southern Indiana. Ultimately, many locations would receive between 3 and 6 inches of rain over the span of about 12 hours, causing isolated to scattered reports of flooding.
After the initial wave of precipitation associated with the warm front lifted into central Indiana, southern Indiana and central Kentucky would briefly be located in the warm sector of the cyclone during the late morning and early afternoon hours, providing an opportunity for severe weather. Due to the proximity of the surface low and the relatively limited period for destabilization, instability was very limited for this event, with between 250-750 J/kg MLCAPE present across central Kentucky and southern Indiana. However, with the extremely strong dynamics in place, wind shear parameters were incredibly high. Effective bulk shear generally ranged from 70-100 kt, while effective Storm Relative Helicity ranged from 300-600 m2/s2. In addition, low-level Storm Relative Helicity was maximized (300-400 m2/s2) just ahead of a broken line of low-topped supercells which went on to produce three EF-1 tornadoes across southern Indiana. Across central Kentucky, the main severe impacts would come from damaging straight-line winds within a broken quasi-linear convective system. While limited instability clearly reduced the overall strength of the QLCS, some convective cores were deep enough to pull higher momentum air from aloft down to the surface, causing scattered damage and wind gusts above 58 mph. A few additional severe wind gusts would also be produced by the aforementioned line of low-topped supercells as they moved across southern Indiana and northern Kentucky.
While the heavy rainfall and severe weather were important aspects of this system, the most widespread impacts from this historic system would come from extremely strong gradient winds immediately following the passage of showers and storms along the surface cold front. As was previously mentioned, the rapid cyclogenesis as the surface low moved into western Kentucky and southwestern Indiana created an unusually strong pressure gradient across the region, even for cool season mid-latitude cyclones. This strong pressure gradient, combined with a brief period of steeper low-level lapse rates across central Kentucky thanks to temporary clearing in the wake of the cold front, helped to bring extremely strong winds and wind gusts to all of central Kentucky and most of southern Indiana. Widespread sustained winds of 30-40 mph and wind gusts of 60-80 mph were observed across the area, causing widespread tree and power line damage, as well as more scattered occurrences of structural damage. At one point, around half a million customers were without power across the state of Kentucky, with several counties seeing a temporary near-total loss in electrical service. As the mid-level cyclone moved overhead during the early evening hours, cloud cover would return, helping to reduce wind speeds and gusts somewhat, with conditions continuing to calm through the overnight hours into the morning of March 4th.

Thunderstorm Wind in BARREN, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 12:29:00 to 03-MAR-23 12:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAVE CITY
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees and power lines were blown down near Cave City.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 15:49:00 to 03-MAR-23 15:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: CAMPBELLSBURG
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees were blown down along Lake Road near Campbellsburg.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:09:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:09:00 (EST-5)
Location: HARPERS FERRY
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees were blown down along Harpers Ferry Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in OLDHAM, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 15:34:00 to 03-MAR-23 15:34:00 (EST-5)
Location: LA GRANGE
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Several structures sustained siding and roof damage, with trees in the area blown down from west-southwest to east-northeast.

High Wind in BARREN, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 15:30:00 to 03-MAR-23 15:35:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Two observing sites in Barren County recorded wind gusts above 60 mph. The peak wind gust of 66 mph was observed at Mesonet station 0857W 1.5 S Glasgow.

High Wind in OHIO, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 15:30:00 to 03-MAR-23 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

More than 150 instances of tree and power line damage due to high winds were observed across Ohio County.

High Wind in MEADE, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 14:34:00 to 03-MAR-23 14:35:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet site BRND measured a 63 mph wind gust. Scattered tree damage due to high winds was also observed, including one large tree which was blown over onto a parked truck near Payneville.

High Wind in HENRY, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:00:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High winds resulted in multiple barns being damaged or destroyed in Henry County. Additionally, scattered tree and power line damage was also observed.

High Wind in METCALFE, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 15:41:00 to 03-MAR-23 17:35:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Scattered downed trees and power lines due to high winds were observed across Metcalfe County. Additionally, Kentucky Mesonet site RNDH measured multiple gusts above 60 mph, with the peak gust reaching 66 mph.

High Wind in GREEN, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 15:41:00 to 03-MAR-23 15:41:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Scattered tree and power line damage due to high winds was observed across Green County.

High Wind in CUMBERLAND, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:00:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

One building in Burkesville sustained structural damage as a result of high winds. Additionally, scattered tree and power line damage was observed across Cumberland County.

High Wind in ADAIR, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 15:03:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet site CMBA observed multiple wind gusts above 60 mph, including a peak gust of 67 mph.

High Wind in CLINTON, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 18:00:00 to 03-MAR-23 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees blown over by high winds brought down electrical wires, resulting in the temporary closure of US Route 127.

High Wind in RUSSELL, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 17:50:00 to 03-MAR-23 17:50:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet site WOOD observed a 61 mph wind gust.

High Wind in TAYLOR, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 15:52:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:16:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet site BNGL observed multiple wind gusts above 60 mph, with a peak gust of 71 mph.

High Wind in MARION, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:12:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:20:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet site LRTO measured multiple wind gusts above 60 mph, with the peak gust reaching 67 mph.

High Wind in CASEY, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 18:00:00 to 03-MAR-23 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet site PCWN observed a 59 mph wind gust.

High Wind in WASHINGTON, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:21:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:21:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Roof damage from high winds occurred on Main Street in Springfield, with scattered tree damage also being observed across Washington County.

High Wind in BOYLE, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:28:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:28:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet site DANV observed a 63 mph wind gust.

High Wind in LINCOLN, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 17:40:00 to 03-MAR-23 17:40:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet site LGNT observed a 61 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in MEADE, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 14:35:00 to 03-MAR-23 14:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: MIDWAY
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Meade County Kentucky Mesonet Station BRND observed a 63 mph wind gust.

High Wind in SIMPSON, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 13:46:00 to 03-MAR-23 14:55:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High winds caused scattered damage to electrical infrastructure across Simpson County. Additionally, a tractor trailer was blown over on Kentucky Route 100 west of Franklin. Kentucky Mesonet site SWZR observed several wind gusts over 58 mph, with a peak gust of 71 mph.

High Wind in WARREN, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 12:05:00 to 03-MAR-23 14:49:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

High winds caused a tractor trailer to overturn on the exit ramp from Interstate 165. Several gusts above 60 mph were observed at various mesonet and ASOS sites across the county, with the peak gust of 69 mph observed at KBWG ASOS.

High Wind in GRAYSON, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 14:00:00 to 03-MAR-23 14:26:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Scattered power outages, tree damage, and roof damage due to high winds occurred across Grayson County. A 64 mph wind gust was observed at Mesonet station AV189 Leitchfield.

High Wind in BRECKINRIDGE, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 14:45:00 to 03-MAR-23 14:45:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees and power lines were damaged by high winds across Breckinridge County. Additionally, one roof was blown off a home by the high winds.

High Wind in ALLEN, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 15:25:00 to 03-MAR-23 15:25:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Scattered tree and power line damage due to high winds was observed across Allen County. At least one traffic accident was also related to the high winds.

High Wind in HART, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 14:55:00 to 03-MAR-23 15:38:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet station HDYV observed a 64 mph wind gust. Another observing station in Hart County also recorded a 64 mph wind gust.

High Wind in HARDIN, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 14:42:00 to 03-MAR-23 15:55:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet site CCLA observed multiple wind gusts above 60 mph, with the peak gust reaching 68 mph. Additionally, scattered damage due to high winds was observed across Hardin County.

High Wind in BULLITT, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:25:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:50:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet site CRMT observed a 60 mph wind gust. Additional instances of damage due to high winds were observed across Bullitt County.

High Wind in ANDERSON, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 18:45:00 to 03-MAR-23 18:45:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several buildings in Lawrenceburg were temporarily closed due to structural damage from high winds, while debris from wind damage caused several roads across Anderson County to be temporarily closed.

High Wind in MERCER, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:27:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:27:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet site HRDB observed a 73 mph wind gust.

High Wind in GARRARD, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 18:00:00 to 03-MAR-23 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Scattered tree and power line damage due to high winds was observed across Garrard County. Maupin Road was temporarily impassable due to trees and power lines down across the road.

High Wind in WOODFORD, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 15:10:00 to 03-MAR-23 15:10:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Half of the metal roof on a pole barn was blown off.

High Wind in TRIMBLE, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:00:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High winds resulted in the destruction of two barns in Trimble County, one off of Trout Ridge Road and the other off of Sulfur-Bedford Road. Additionally, scattered tree damage was observed across Trimble County.

High Wind in JEFFERSON, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 15:34:00 to 03-MAR-23 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 69.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

ASOS sites KSDF and KLOU both observed multiple wind gusts above 60 mph, with peak gusts of 79 mph observed at both locations. Scattered damage due to high winds was also observed across the county. Most notably, a Cessna 150 that was parked and tied down was flipped over by high winds at Bowman Field.

High Wind in MONROE, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 15:10:00 to 03-MAR-23 15:10:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet site GAMA observed a 60 mph wind gust.

High Wind in SPENCER, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:00:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Scattered damage to trees and power lines due to high winds was observed across Spencer County. Two barns sustained roof damage on Fairgrounds Road and Plum Ridge Road.

High Wind in JESSAMINE, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 15:19:00 to 03-MAR-23 15:19:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Trees and power lines were downed by high winds on the 1200 block of North Keene Road.

High Wind in MADISON, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:35:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:35:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: Public

Scattered tree and power line damage from high winds was observed across Madison County.

High Wind in SCOTT, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:30:00 to 03-MAR-23 17:15:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

AWOS site K27K Georgetown measured a wind gust of 70 mph. Additionally, scattered tree damage from high winds was observed across Scott County.

High Wind in FAYETTE, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 15:18:00 to 03-MAR-23 20:30:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High winds blew off part of the roof of the terminal at Blue Grass Field. The fragments of the roof ended up striking the tower, and the airport also lost power. Scattered tree and power line damage was also observed across Fayette County. Multiple wind gusts over 60 mph were observed, with the peak gust reaching 72 mph at Kentucky Mesonet site LXGN.

High Wind in HARRISON, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 17:00:00 to 03-MAR-23 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Scattered tree and power line damage from high winds was observed in Cynthiana and across Harrison County. Minor structural damage was also observed.

High Wind in BOURBON, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 17:00:00 to 03-MAR-23 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Scattered tree and power line damage from high winds was observed in Paris, North Middletown, and across other portions of Bourbon County.

High Wind in CLARK, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 17:20:00 to 03-MAR-23 17:20:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet site WNCH observed a 63 mph wind gust.

High Wind in NICHOLAS, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 17:30:00 to 03-MAR-23 17:30:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet site CARL measured a 68 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in BOURBON, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 15:32:00 to 03-MAR-23 15:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: ELIZABETH STATION
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees were blown down along Bourbon Acres Road, in addition to other locations across Bourbon County.

Thunderstorm Wind in LOGAN, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 12:40:00 to 03-MAR-23 12:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: EPLEYS
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station 1578W Logan Aluminum observed a 65 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in BRECKINRIDGE, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 13:25:00 to 03-MAR-23 13:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARDINSBURG ARPT
Magnitude: 65.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Breckinridge County Kentucky Mesonet station HARD observed a 75 mph wind gust.

High Wind in SHELBY, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:10:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:10:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet site FCHV observed a 65 mph wind gust.

High Wind in OLDHAM, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 17:35:00 to 03-MAR-23 17:35:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet site LGRN observed a 59 mph wind gust.

High Wind in LARUE, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:25:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:25:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet station HDGV measured a 58 mph wind gust.

High Wind in NELSON, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:01:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:01:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: Public

Observing site measured a 64 mph wind gust.

High Wind in BUTLER, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 13:00:00 to 03-MAR-23 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Kentucky Mesonet station WDBY observed a 59 mph wind gust.

High Wind in LOGAN, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 13:50:00 to 03-MAR-23 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High winds caused scattered tree and power line damage across Russellville and Logan County, which also resulted in power outages. Mesonet site 1578W Logan Aluminum observed a 67 mph wind gust.

High Wind in HANCOCK, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:30:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:30:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Tree, power line, and minor structural damage was caused by high winds in Hawesville and across Hancock County.

High Wind in EDMONSON, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 15:00:00 to 03-MAR-23 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Scattered tree damage due to high winds was observed across Edmonson County. One tree in the Rocky Hill community fell on a shed while a man was inside.

Thunderstorm Wind in METCALFE, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 12:52:00 to 03-MAR-23 12:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLARKS CORNER
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees were blown down along Knob Lick Road near Edmonton.

High Wind in FRANKLIN, KENTUCKY
From 03-MAR-23 16:28:00 to 03-MAR-23 16:32:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Multiple observing sites across Franklin County recorded wind gusts above 60 mph, with KFFT ASOS reporting a peak wind gust of 68 mph, while Kentucky Mesonet site LSML reported a peak wind gust of 70 mph.