Alert archive / Indiana / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1998

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 34, NWS Northern Indiana

May 19, 1998Adams County, Indiana; Van Wert County, Ohio

NWS Northern Indiana issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 19, 1998, 8:29 PM EST for Adams County, Indiana; Van Wert County, Ohio. It was in force for 16 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
May 19, 1998, 8:29 PM EST (01:29 UTC)
Expired
May 19, 1998, 8:45 PM EST
In force
16 min
Issued by
NWS Northern Indiana
Area
Whole counties

Counties Adams County, IN, Van Wert County, OH

The radar

The Northern Indiana radar (KIWX), 100 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:29 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
May 19, 8:30 PM ESTHail 1.75Pleasant Mills, IN

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
May 19, 6:00 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 00:00Z, 1.5 hours before the alert went out and 173 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 1998-05-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1270 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 1998-05-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 16 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
1270 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-29 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1675 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
16 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
49 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

222 
WUUS53 KIWX 200131 RRA
SVRFWA
INC001-OHC161-200145-

BULLETIN- EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
829 PM EST TUE MAY 19 1998

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORTHERN INDIANA HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  EASTERN ADAMS COUNTY IN NORTHEASTERN INDIANA
  SOUTHWESTERN VAN WERT COUNTY IN NORTHWESTERN OHIO

* UNTIL 845 PM EST (945 PM EDT)

* AT 825 PM EST (925 PM EDT)... DOPPLER RADAR AT NORTH WEBSTER
  INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 6 MILES SOUTH SOUTHEAST OF
  DECATUR OR 2 MILES NORTHWEST OF SALEM MOVING EAST SOUTHEAST AT 35
  MPH.

* SOME LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THIS SEVERE THUNDERSTORM ARE...
  RIVARE
  PLEASANT MILLS
  SALEM
  WREN
  WILLSHIRE
  SCHUMM
  GLENMORE

DIME SIZED HAIL WAS REPORTED AT 820 PM EST NEAR MONROE IN ADAMS
COUNTY INDIANA.

SEEK SHELTER INSIDE A STURDY BUILDING AWAY FROM WINDOWS.  SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE DESTRUCTIVE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS.

ADOLPHSON

What forecasters said that day

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

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 19, 6:49 PM EST, 1 hour 40 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH WEBSTER INDIANA
649 PM EST TUE MAY 19 1998

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

0645 PM    URBANA                    IN   TORNADO
05/19/98   WABASH                         REPORTED BY LAW
                                          ENFORCEMENT ONE HALF MILE
                                          NORTHEAST OF URBANA.
Local storm report, May 19, 7:00 PM EST, 1 hour 29 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH WEBSTER INDIANA
700 PM EST TUE MAY 19 1998

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

0652 PM    URBANA                    IN   90 MPH TSTM GUST
05/19/98   WABASH                         REPORTED BY SHERIFF
Local storm report, May 19, 7:06 PM EST, 1 hour 23 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH WEBSTER INDIANA
706 PM EST TUE MAY 19 1998

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

0705 PM    BIPPUS                    IN   .88 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   HUNTINGTON                     REPORTED BY SHERIFF
Local storm report, May 19, 7:11 PM EST, 1 hour 18 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH WEBSTER INDIANA
711 PM EST TUE MAY 19 1998

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

0707 PM    HUNTINGTON                IN   60 MPH TSTM GUST
05/19/98   HUNTINGTON                     HAM REPORT
Local storm report, May 19, 8:05 PM EST, 24 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH WEBSTER INDIANA
805 PM EST TUE MAY 19 1998

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

0737 AM    ALBION                    IN   .75 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   NOBLE                          REPORT OF 3/4 INCH HAIL BY
                                          SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT

0530 PM    MEDARYVILLE               IN   1 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   PULASKI                        QUARTER SIZE HAIL FELL
                                          FROM 530PM EST TO 545PM
                                          EST. REPORTED BY FIRE
                                          DEPARTMENT.

0603 PM    NORTH JUDSON              IN   TORNADO
05/19/98   STARKE                         REPORTED BY SEVERAL
                                          SPOTTERS. TOUCHED DOWN AND
                                          WENT BACK UP ALMOST
                                          IMMEDIATELY.  NO DAMAGE.

0610 PM    ROCHESTER                 IN   1 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   FULTON

0610 PM    BASS LAKE                 IN   TORNADO
05/19/98   STARKE                         BRIEF TOUCHDOWN ONE AND A
                                          HALF MILES NORTH OF BASS
                                          LAKE

0610 PM    ROCHESTER                 IN   1.75 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   FULTON

0622 PM    STAR CITY                 IN   .75 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   PULASKI                        SPOTTER REPORT OF DIME
                                          SIZE HAIL IN STAR CITY

0623 PM    STAR CITY                 IN   .75 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   PULASKI                        SPOTTER REPORT OF DIME
                                          SIZE HAIL IN STAR CITY

0645 PM    KEWANNA                   IN   .75 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   FULTON                         KEWANNA FIRE DEPARTMENT
                                          REPORT

0645 PM    URBANA                    IN   TORNADO
05/19/98   WABASH                         REPORTED BY LAW
                                          ENFORCEMENT ONE HALF MILE
                                          NORTHEAST OF URBANA.

0652 PM    URBANA                    IN   90 MPH TSTM GUST
05/19/98   WABASH                         REPORTED BY SHERIFF

0705 PM    BIPPUS                    IN   .88 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   HUNTINGTON                     REPORTED BY SHERIFF

0707 PM    HUNTINGTON                IN   60 MPH TSTM GUST
05/19/98   HUNTINGTON                     HAM REPORT
Local storm report, May 19, 8:05 PM EST, 24 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH WEBSTER INDIANA
805 PM EST TUE MAY 19 1998

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

0737 AM    ALBION                    IN   .75 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   NOBLE                          REPORT OF 3/4 INCH HAIL BY
                                          SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT

0530 PM    MEDARYVILLE               IN   1 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   PULASKI                        QUARTER SIZE HAIL FELL
                                          FROM 530PM EST TO 545PM
                                          EST. REPORTED BY FIRE
                                          DEPARTMENT.

0603 PM    NORTH JUDSON              IN   TORNADO
05/19/98   STARKE                         REPORTED BY SEVERAL
                                          SPOTTERS. TOUCHED DOWN AND
                                          WENT BACK UP ALMOST
                                          IMMEDIATELY.  NO DAMAGE.

0610 PM    ROCHESTER                 IN   1 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   FULTON

0610 PM    BASS LAKE                 IN   TORNADO
05/19/98   STARKE                         BRIEF TOUCHDOWN ONE AND A
                                          HALF MILES NORTH OF BASS
                                          LAKE

0610 PM    ROCHESTER                 IN   1.75 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   FULTON

0622 PM    STAR CITY                 IN   .75 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   PULASKI                        SPOTTER REPORT OF DIME
                                          SIZE HAIL IN STAR CITY

0623 PM    STAR CITY                 IN   .75 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   PULASKI                        SPOTTER REPORT OF DIME
                                          SIZE HAIL IN STAR CITY

0645 PM    KEWANNA                   IN   .75 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   FULTON                         KEWANNA FIRE DEPARTMENT
                                          REPORT

0645 PM    URBANA                    IN   TORNADO
05/19/98   WABASH                         REPORTED BY LAW
                                          ENFORCEMENT ONE HALF MILE
                                          NORTHEAST OF URBANA.

0652 PM    URBANA                    IN   90 MPH TSTM GUST
05/19/98   WABASH                         REPORTED BY SHERIFF

0705 PM    BIPPUS                    IN   .88 INCH HAIL
05/19/98   HUNTINGTON                     REPORTED BY SHERIFF

0707 PM    HUNTINGTON                IN   60 MPH TSTM GUST
05/19/98   HUNTINGTON                     HAM REPORT

The office that day

Everything else NWS Northern Indiana issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 19, 7:08 PM ESTTornado WarningIWXHuntington47 min
May 19, 7:15 PM ESTTornado WarningIWXWabash25 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Indiana, 1998Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Ohio, 1998Every severe thunderstorm warning in 1998

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.