Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Wilmington, OH
Issued by NWS Wilmington, OH
225 NOUS41 KILN 291436 PNSILN KYZ093-291645- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Wilmington OH 1036 AM EDT Thu Aug 29 2024 ...A MICROBURST WITH STRAIGHT-LINE WIND DAMAGE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED NEAR ALEXANDRIA IN CAMPBELL COUNTY, KENTUCKY... The National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio has determined that a microburst occurred near Alexandria in Campbell County, Kentucky during the late afternoon of August 28, 2024. Based on radar information, the microburst occurred at approximately 5:39 PM EDT. An analysis of KILN (Wilmington, Ohio) radar data, and even more importantly the TCVG FAA Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) near Walton, Kentucky both depict an outflow-dominant thunderstorm that was lacking the inflow, convergence, and rotation necessary for tornado development. Instead, both radars show a rapid increase of divergent surface winds near Alexandria that are seen with thunderstorms producing downburst winds. In particular, the FAA TDWR shows a brief but rapid enhancement of divergent surface winds near the AA Highway, Backus Road, and Viewpoint Drive, adding confidence of an enhanced microburst at this location within a longer period of more moderate downburst thunderstorm winds. With a lack of wind shear, as was the case in this event, the thunderstorm updraft tends to "suffocate" and collapses back upon itself leading to a microburst. The mass of rain and cold air at the top of the updraft collapse downward, gaining velocity as it does so. In addition, the environment across northern Kentucky on Wednesday afternoon was an optimal environment for localized microbursts, void of the low and deep layer wind shear needed for tornado development. Wind damage was reported along Backus Drive and the AA Highway near Alexandria. Along Backus Drive, several trees were knocked down and some of the trees were reported to have fallen on some of the homes. Several trees were also knocked down along the AA Highway. The National Weather Service received and evaluated photos of the damage on Backus Drive. Based on the damage, winds associated with this microburst were estimated to be 60-70 mph. The National Weather Service would like to thank Campbell County, Kentucky Emergency Management for their coordination and assistance with this determination. $$ BPP/Binau