Alert archive / Ohio / Tornado Warnings in 1997

Tornado Warning 19, NWS Wilmington, OH

July 26, 1997Fairfield County, Ohio

NWS Wilmington, OH issued this tornado warning at Jul 26, 1997, 8:40 PM EDT for Fairfield County, Ohio. It was in force for 65 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jul 26, 1997, 8:40 PM EDT (00:40 UTC)
Expired
Jul 26, 1997, 9:45 PM EDT
In force
65 min
Issued by
NWS Wilmington, OH
Area
Whole counties

County Fairfield County, OH

The radar

The Cincinnati radar (KILN), 108 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:39 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 26, 9:10 PM EDTThunderstorm Wind 50Millersport, OHNumerous trees downed.

NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jul 26, 6:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC5 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 00:00Z, 0.7 hours before the alert went out and 106 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 00:00Z on 1997-07-27Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 4383 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 00:00Z on 1997-07-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 67 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
4383 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-6 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1206 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
22 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
67 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
208 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
13.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KILN 270039 RRA
TORILN
OHC045-270145-

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUIRED
TORNADO AND FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
840 PM EDT SAT JUL 26 1997

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON OH HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 945 PM EDT
AND A FLASH FLOOD WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 945 PM EDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION...

IN CENTRAL OHIO

   ...FAIRFIELD COUNTY
 
AT 835 PM DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A TORNADO MOVING
THROUGH CENTRAL FAIRFIELD COUNTY. THE STORM WILL CONTINUE TO TRACK
ACROSS TOWNS SUCH AS LANCASTER...BALTIMORE AND HAMBURG.
 
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY.  THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO
CROSS SAFELY.  VEHICLES CAUGHT IN RISING WATER SHOULD BE ABANDONED
QUICKLY.  MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. YOUR QUICK REACTION TO THIS TORNADO
WARNING MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE. GO TO A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE
LOWEST FLOOR POSSIBLE. ABvANDON CARS AND MOBILE HOMES FOR A
STRONGER SHELTER. REMEMBER...MOST TORNADO DEATHS OCCUR IN MOBILE
HOMES.

FARINA

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Wilmington, OH wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Jul 26, 8:10 PM EDT, 30 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 26, 8:10 PM EDT, 30 minutes before
FORECAST COORDINATION MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
810 PM EDT SAT JUL 26 1997

VRY MOIST (DWPTS IN UPR 70S) AND WRM AIR HAS INVADED WRN OH CAUSING AMS
TO BCM VRY UNSBL. VRY UNSTBL AMS WITH CAPES TO 4000-5000 J/KG AND LI/S
TO -10 OVR WRN AND CNTRL OH. ISO SVR TSTMS DVLPG ALONG N-S ORIENTED
WRMFNT FM NR CLE TO CMH TO S CNTRL OH. GOOD VEERING PROFILE SUPPORTING
ROTATING STMS WITH MANY REPORTS OF FUNNELS AND PSBL TORNADO TOUCHDOWN
IN LICKING CTY. ADDITIONAL TSTM ACTVTY CURRENTLY IN THE NRN IL AREA
WL FOLLOW THCKNS INTO NW OH AFTR MID NGT. SUGG INCRSG TSTM POPS OVR
W CNTRL OH IN RESPONSE TO THIS ACTVTY. LOOKING AT TRAJ AND LAST NGTS
LOWS AND DWPTS IN MID/UPR DWPTS SUGG GOING WRMR ON OVRNGT LOWS ARND
75 ACRS THE BOARD. PER COORD WITH CLE HEAT ADVSY LOOKS LIKE THE WAY
TO GO WITH XPCTD HI/S IN MID 90S SUN AND DWPTS IN MID AND UPR 70S.
THIS VALUES WL YIELD HEAT INDEXES OF 105 TO 115.

CVG 075/095 13
DAY 074/094 23
CMH 074/095 33

RANDALL

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 26, 6:54 PM EDT, 1 hour 46 minutes before
OHZ015-016-024>026-035-043>046-051>056-062>065-072>074-079>082-
088-270400-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
654 PM EDT SAT JUL 26 1997

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH UNTIL MIDNIGHT FOR WEST CENTRAL OHIO -
THE NORTHERN MIAMI VALLEY - PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST OHIO- CENTRAL OHIO
AND SOUTH CENTRAL OHIO...

HOT AND VERY HUMID AIR HAS MOVED INTO OHIO TODAY. THIS INCREASE IN
HEAT AND HUMIDITY HAS CAUSED THE AIRMASS OVER THIS AREA TO BECOME
VERY UNSTABLE. A WARM FRONT THAT MARKS THE LEADING EDGE OF THIS
HUMID AIR EXTENDS FROM NEAR CLEVELAND TO COLUMBUS TO SOUTH CENTRAL
OHIO. THIS BOUNDARY WILL BE THE FOCUS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF
ISOLATED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THE EVENING HOURS. THE MAIN
SEVERE WEATHER THREATS ARE DAMAGING WINDS AND FLOODING.

IT IS DANGEROUS TO BE OUTDOORS WHILE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM IS IN
PROGRESS. DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...VERY HEAVY RAIN...AND
DEADLY LIGHTNING ARE ALL POSSIBLE. SEEK SHELTER IN A BUILDING OR A
VEHICLE. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IN THE OPEN...STAY AWAY FROM TOWERS AND
LARGE TREES. CROUCH NEAR THE GROUND AND COVER YOUR HEAD.

RANDALL
Special weather statement, Jul 26, 6:55 PM EDT, 1 hour 45 minutes before
OHZ015-016-024>026-035-043>046-051>056-062>065-072>074-079>082-
088-270400-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
654 PM EDT SAT JUL 26 1997

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH UNTIL MIDNIGHT FOR WEST CENTRAL OHIO -
THE NORTHERN MIAMI VALLEY - PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST OHIO- CENTRAL OHIO
AND SOUTH CENTRAL OHIO...

HOT AND VERY HUMID AIR HAS MOVED INTO OHIO TODAY. THIS INCREASE IN
HEAT AND HUMIDITY HAS CAUSED THE AIRMASS OVER THIS AREA TO BECOME
VERY UNSTABLE. A WARM FRONT THAT MARKS THE LEADING EDGE OF THIS
HUMID AIR EXTENDS FROM NEAR CLEVELAND TO COLUMBUS TO SOUTH CENTRAL
OHIO. THIS BOUNDARY WILL BE THE FOCUS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF
ISOLATED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THE EVENING HOURS. THE MAIN
SEVERE WEATHER THREATS ARE DAMAGING WINDS AND FLOODING.

IT IS DANGEROUS TO BE OUTDOORS WHILE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM IS IN
PROGRESS. DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...VERY HEAVY RAIN...AND
DEADLY LIGHTNING ARE ALL POSSIBLE. *SEEK SHELTER IN A BUILDING OR A
VEHICLE. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IN THE OPEN...STAY AWAY FROM TOWERS AND
LARGE TREES. CROUCH NEAR THE GROUND AND COVER YOUR HEAD.

RANDALL
Local storm report, Jul 26, 7:57 PM EDT, 43 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OHIO
758 PM EDT SAT JUL 26 1997

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0746 PM    JOHNSTOWN                 OH   1 INCH HAIL
07/26/97   LICKING                        QUARTER SIZED HAIL
Local storm report, Jul 26, 7:58 PM EDT, 42 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OHIO
758 PM EDT SAT JUL 26 1997

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0746 PM    JOHNSTOWN                 OH   1 INCH HAIL
07/26/97   LICKING                        QUARTER SIZED HAIL
Local storm report, Jul 26, 8:21 PM EDT, 19 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OHIO
822 PM EDT SAT JUL 26 1997

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

02821 PM    PATASKALA                 OH   1 INCH HAIL
07/26/97   LICKING
Local storm report, Jul 26, 8:22 PM EDT, 18 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OHIO
822 PM EDT SAT JUL 26 1997

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0821 PM    PATASKALA                 OH   1 INCH HAIL
07/26/97   LICKING

The office that day

Everything else NWS Wilmington, OH issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 26, 8:08 PM EDTTornado WarningILNLicking22 min
Jul 26, 8:34 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNHocking61 min
Jul 26, 8:40 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningILNFairfield65 min
Jul 26, 8:44 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNPaulding, Putnam61 min
Jul 26, 8:58 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNLicking62 min
Jul 26, 10:02 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningILNLicking48 min
Jul 26, 10:02 PM EDTTornado WarningILNLicking48 min
Jul 26, 10:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNDelaware46 min
Jul 26, 10:21 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNHocking49 min
Jul 26, 10:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNFairfield64 min
Jul 26, 10:36 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNVan Wert64 min
Jul 26, 10:50 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningILNLicking2 hr
Jul 26, 10:52 PM EDTTornado WarningILNFairfield48 min
Jul 26, 10:56 PM EDTTornado WarningILNVan Wert64 min
Jul 26, 11:06 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNLicking59 min
Jul 26, 11:26 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningILNFairfield, Hocking4 hr
Jul 27, 12:25 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningILNLicking3 hr
Jul 27, 12:40 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNFranklin35 min
Jul 27, 1:05 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNPickaway60 min
Jul 27, 4:33 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNMercer47 min
Jul 27, 4:37 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNShelby38 min
Jul 27, 4:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNDarke, Miami44 min
Jul 27, 5:29 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNHardin46 min
Jul 27, 5:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNMontgomery50 min
Jul 27, 5:58 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNButler47 min
Jul 27, 6:21 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNHamilton44 min
Jul 27, 6:36 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNDelaware49 min
Jul 27, 6:48 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNFairfield42 min
Jul 27, 6:59 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNFayette31 min
Jul 27, 7:12 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNRoss63 min
Jul 27, 7:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILNLicking40 min
Jul 27, 7:50 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningILNFairfield, Licking3 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Ohio, 1997Every tornado warning in 1997Tornadoes in 1997

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.