Alert archive / Indiana / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 47, NWS Indianapolis, IN

May 23, 2020Bartholomew County, Decatur County, Indiana

NWS Indianapolis, IN issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 23, 2020, 5:42 PM EDT for Bartholomew County, Decatur County, Indiana. It was in force for 32 min. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: May 23, 2020, 5:42 PM EDT (21:42 UTC)
Expired: May 23, 2020, 6:14 PM EDT
In force: 32 min
Issued by: NWS Indianapolis, IN
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 1.0 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Bartholomew County, IN, Decatur County, IN

The radar

The Indianapolis radar (KIND), 69 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:42 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

Time	Report	Where	Remark
May 23, 5:45 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Ese Columbus, IN	SEVERAL TREES UPROOTED NEAR COLUMBUS EAST HIGH SCHOOL.
May 23, 5:45 PM EDT	HAIL 0.88	Columbus, IN

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 3 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 12:00Z, 9.7 hours before the alert went out and 174 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 9 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -66 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1176 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 15 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 48 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 141 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

786 
WUUS53 KIND 232142
SVRIND
INC005-031-232230-
/O.NEW.KIND.SV.W.0047.200523T2142Z-200523T2230Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
542 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southwestern Decatur County in central Indiana...
  Northeastern Bartholomew County in central Indiana...

* Until 630 PM EDT.

* At 542 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Columbus,
  moving east at 25 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage 
           to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Columbus, Hope, Hartsville, Clifford, Burney, Newbern and Grammer. 

This includes Interstate 65 between mile markers 72 and 73.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground
lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately.
Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can
hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3914 8592 3927 8596 3934 8560 3914 8560
TIME...MOT...LOC 2142Z 261DEG 20KT 3921 8584 

HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

Ryan

2 follow-up statements

225 
WWUS53 KIND 232158
SVSIND

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
558 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

INC005-031-232230-
/O.CON.KIND.SV.W.0047.000000T0000Z-200523T2230Z/
Decatur IN-Bartholomew IN-
558 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHWESTERN DECATUR AND EAST CENTRAL BARTHOLOMEW COUNTIES...

At 558 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 9 miles east of
Columbus, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
Columbus, Hartsville, Newbern and Grammer. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading
killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to
be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3916 8584 3925 8589 3932 8560 3914 8560
TIME...MOT...LOC 2158Z 261DEG 20KT 3922 8573 

HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

Ryan

031 
WWUS53 KIND 232214
SVSIND

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
614 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

INC005-031-232224-
/O.CAN.KIND.SV.W.0047.000000T0000Z-200523T2230Z/
Decatur IN-Bartholomew IN-
614 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN DECATUR AND EAST
CENTRAL BARTHOLOMEW COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
                
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However small hail, gusty
winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Indianapolis.

LAT...LON 3916 8584 3925 8589 3932 8560 3914 8560
TIME...MOT...LOC 2212Z 261DEG 20KT 3923 8562 

$$

Ryan

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.

NWS Indianapolis, IN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 23, 4:03 PM EDT, 1 hour 39 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 23, 4:03 PM EDT, 1 hour 39 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
403 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

.UPDATE...
The SYNOPSIS...NEAR TERM and SHORT TERM Sections have been updated below.

&&

.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 336 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

The potential for thunderstorms and severe weather remain through
the afternoon and evening. Persistent SW flow over the area will
bring above average temperatures and Gulf moisture through the
week with daily chances of thunderstorms.

&&

.NEAR TERM /This Afternoon and Tonight/...

Issued at 336 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

A surface low is located over western Iowa at the time of
writing, putting central Indiana in a portion of the warm sector
are bringing thunderstorms to the area. Already today there have
been a few severe storms in the area with more possible into this
evening. Models and current mesoanalysis indicate a continuation
of surface CAPE in excess of 1500 J/kg and dew points well into
the 60s. The environment will still be suitable for some hail and
damaging winds within storms this afternoon and evening.

The threat for severe weather will diminish as daytime heating
fades away with sunset. There could still be some lingering storms
overnight across our northern counties, but severe weather is not
expected at this time.

&&

.SHORT TERM /Tomorrow through Tuesday/...

Issued at 336 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

A large trough will be set up over the central U.S. for the short
term. This will bring SW flow to much of the midwest and thus
pulling in warmth and moisture from the Gulf. These conditions
will make the environment favorable for diurnal convection each
day. Remember, when thunder roars go indoors as best chances for
storms will be during the afternoon hours. Highs in the 80s are in
the forecast throughout the period. Depending on how cloud
coverage and how the afternoon storms play out, some areas could
even get near 90 degrees, particularly for Sunday and Monday.

&&

.LONG TERM /Monday night through Friday/...
Issued at 222 PM EDT Fri May 23 2020

Warm temperatures and occasional convection will highlight the long
term.

Models and ensembles agree split flow will result in the faster flow
to graze the upper Great Lakes as an upper low settles across the
southern Plains. At the surface, there will be a warm, moist and
unstable flow of Gulf air across central Indiana. This will result
in prolonged above normal temperatures and mainly afternoon
mesoscale convection due to displaced dynamics.

The National Blend looks good regarding temperature and PoP trends.

&&

.AVIATION /Discussion for the 23/18Z TAF Issuance/...
Issued at 1245 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

GFS LAMP and SREF lend high confidence in VFR conditions away from
convection. High Resolution Rapid Refresh suggest scattered
thunderstorms will move over central Indiana 18z-24z. Confidence in
timing for each terminal is low to moderate though, so will keep
VCTS going through 00z unless last minute radar data improves
confidence enough for tempo groups.

Winds will be from the south around 10 knots and then switch to
southwest less than 10 knots after 09z Sunday.

&&

.IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NONE.
&&

SYNOPSIS...KH
NEAR TERM...KH
SHORT TERM...KH
LONG TERM...MK
AVIATION...MK

Hazardous weather outlook, May 23, 4:19 PM EDT, 1 hour 23 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
419 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-242030-
Carroll-Warren-Tippecanoe-Clinton-Howard-Fountain-Montgomery-Boone-
Tipton-Hamilton-Madison-Delaware-Randolph-Vermillion-Parke-Putnam-
Hendricks-Marion-Hancock-Henry-Vigo-Clay-Owen-Morgan-Johnson-Shelby-
Rush-Sullivan-Greene-Monroe-Brown-Bartholomew-Decatur-Knox-Daviess-
Martin-Lawrence-Jackson-Jennings-
Including the cities of Delphi, Flora, Williamsport, West Lebanon,
Lafayette, West Lafayette, Frankfort, Kokomo, Attica, Covington,
Veedersburg, Crawfordsville, Lebanon, Zionsville, Tipton, Fishers,
Carmel, Noblesville, Anderson, Muncie, Winchester, Clinton, Newport,
Rockville, Greencastle, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Danville,
Indianapolis, Greenfield, Cumberland, New Castle, Terre Haute,
Brazil, Clay City, Spencer, Martinsville, Mooresville, Greenwood,
Franklin, Shelbyville, Rushville, Sullivan, Linton, Bloomfield,
Bloomington, Nashville, Columbus, Greensburg, Vincennes, Washington,
Loogootee, Shoals, Bedford, Mitchell, Seymour, Brownstown,
and North Vernon
419 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Outlook: There is a MARGINAL RISK for severe thunderstorms across
much of Central Indiana this afternoon and evening.

Hazards: Large Hail...Damaging Winds...Lightning.

Timing: Through 9pm.

Discussion: An upper level weather disturbance along with a warm and
humid air mass across Central Indiana may result in scattered
showers and thunderstorms through this evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Outlook: Thunderstorms are possible Sunday through Friday.

Discussion: A warm and humid air mass will arrive over Central
Indiana this weekend. Afternoon and evening showers and
thunderstorms are possible Sunday through Friday. It is too soon to
determine if the storms will be severe. Lightning is a threat from
any thunderstorm.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is possible this afternoon.

&&

More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate
information can be found at http://weather.gov/ind

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 23, 2:54 PM EDT, 2 hours 48 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
254 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

INZ047>049-056-057-231945-
Rush IN-Henry IN-Shelby IN-Hancock IN-Marion IN-
254 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN SHELBY...SOUTHERN
HANCOCK...NORTHWESTERN RUSH...SOUTHEASTERN MARION AND SOUTHWESTERN
HENRY COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM EDT...

At 253 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles east of Beech Grove, or 12 miles northwest of Shelbyville,
moving east at 35 mph.

Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Indianapolis, Shelbyville, Greenfield, Rushville, Knightstown, New
Palestine, Morristown, Carthage, Fairland, Spring Lake, Arlington and
Boggstown.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3962 8544 3954 8595 3964 8595 3964 8600
      3973 8603 3988 8553
TIME...MOT...LOC 1853Z 254DEG 29KT 3967 8591

MK

Local storm report, May 23, 3:50 PM EDT, 1 hour 52 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
350 PM EDT SAT MAY 23 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0340 PM     HAIL             3 ENE ARLINGTON         39.65N 85.52W
05/23/2020  E0.70 INCH       RUSH               IN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            DIME SIZED HAIL AND THUNDERSTORM WINDS IN
            EXCESS OF 50 MPH.

&&

MK

Local storm report, May 23, 3:52 PM EDT, 1 hour 50 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
352 PM EDT SAT MAY 23 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0345 PM     HAIL             2 N RUSHVILLE           39.64N 85.44W
05/23/2020  E0.25 INCH       RUSH               IN   EMERGENCY MNGR

&&

MK

Local storm report, May 23, 4:36 PM EDT, 1 hour 6 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
436 PM EDT SAT MAY 23 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0340 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 ENE ARLINGTON         39.65N 85.52W
05/23/2020                   RUSH               IN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN.

&&

MK

Special weather statement, May 23, 4:48 PM EDT, 54 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
448 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

INZ063-064-232115-
Brown IN-Bartholomew IN-
448 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN BROWN AND
NORTHWESTERN BARTHOLOMEW COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM EDT...

At 447 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Nashville, or 15 miles west of Columbus, moving east at 30 mph.

Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Columbus, Nashville, Edinburgh, Spearsville, Beanblossom, Gnaw Bone
and Taylorsville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
this storm passes.

&&

LAT...LON 3920 8628 3933 8628 3934 8593 3914 8593
TIME...MOT...LOC 2047Z 272DEG 26KT 3924 8619

Ryan

Special weather statement, May 23, 5:39 PM EDT, 3 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
539 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

INZ064-065-232215-
Decatur IN-Bartholomew IN-
539 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN DECATUR AND
NORTHEASTERN BARTHOLOMEW COUNTIES UNTIL 615 PM EDT...

At 539 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Columbus, moving east at 25 mph.

Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Columbus, Hope, Hartsville, Clifford, Burney, Newbern and Grammer.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3914 8593 3927 8596 3934 8560 3914 8560
TIME...MOT...LOC 2139Z 261DEG 20KT 3920 8585

Ryan

The office that day

Everything else NWS Indianapolis, IN issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 23, 12:39 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	IND	Vigo	51 min
May 23, 2:06 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	IND	Hancock, Johnson, Marion	24 min
May 23, 2:51 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	IND	Hendricks, Marion	3 hr
May 23, 2:54 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	IND	Rush	51 min
May 23, 3:06 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	IND	Hancock, Henry, Rush, Shelby	24 min
May 23, 3:36 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	IND	Rush	39 min
May 23, 4:04 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	IND	Rush	3 hr
May 23, 4:48 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	IND	Brown	27 min
May 23, 5:33 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	IND	Jackson, Jennings	42 min
May 23, 5:39 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	IND	Bartholomew	36 min
May 23, 6:02 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	IND	Jackson	3 hr
May 23, 6:10 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	IND	Jackson, Jennings	17 min
May 23, 6:24 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	IND	Bartholomew	3 hr
May 23, 6:26 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	IND	Decatur	19 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Indiana, 2020 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2020

Sources

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