EF1 tornado confirmed near Nicholasville after Sunday’s storms

Photo Source: Jessamine County EMA via NWS (Missing HVAC unit on top of warehouse building)

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The National Weather Service has confirmed that a weak tornado touched down briefly near Nicholasville on Sunday, October 19, as a strong cold front moved through central Kentucky.

According to the NWS, the tornado developed when a line of showers moved through the Bluegrass region Sunday afternoon. Meteorologists say conditions in the atmosphere — including cold air aloft, strong wind shear, and instability behind the front — allowed a cold air funnel to form and briefly touch down, creating an EF1 tornado.

The tornado was on the ground for just over half a mile and lasted about one minute.

No injuries or significant damage were reported. The weather service says the tornado formed as the upper-level portion of the storm system passed through the area several hours after the main cold front.