Alert archive / Indiana / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2023

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 159, NWS Indianapolis, IN

July 23, 2023Morgan County, Indiana

NWS Indianapolis, IN issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 23, 2023, 4:45 PM EDT for Morgan County, Indiana. It was in force for 15 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jul 23, 2023, 4:45 PM EDT (20:45 UTC)
Expired
Jul 23, 2023, 5:00 PM EDT
In force
15 min
Issued by
NWS Indianapolis, IN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Morgan County, IN

The radar

The Indianapolis radar (KIND), 29 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:45 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 8.8 hours before the alert went out and 198 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, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2023-07-23Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 418 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, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2023-07-23The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 91 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
418 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-124 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1360 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
91 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
106 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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 Jul 23, 2:54 PM EDT, 1 hour 51 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 23, 2:54 PM EDT, 1 hour 51 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
254 PM EDT Sun Jul 23 2023

.Short Term...(This evening through Monday)
Issued at 254 PM EDT Sun Jul 23 2023

Rest of Today.

As of early this afternoon, the MCV that helped bring a few showers
to the northern counties this morning was crossing into Illinois.
Convective temperatures have been met according to ACARs soundings
with 1200-1500 J/kg of SB CAPE, but a fairly dry column is limiting
the effective instability with only 200-300 J/kg when looking at ML
CAPE. The best forcing into the afternoon will be near and to the
south of the exiting MCV, so will focus POPs across the eastern
counties with lesser amounts further to the west.  The last few HRRR
runs have latched onto the exiting MCV and each successive run
continues to lower rain chances across central Indiana with a lack
of a good initiator for convection.

Tonight.

Generally conditions are expected for the overnight hours with the
potnetial for a few additional showers and storms along an
instability gradient across central Indiana.  The diurnally driven cu
field overhead will gradually dissipate after sunset as the PBL
begins to decouple.  With the lower expected coverage for storms
this afternoon, little convective overturning will create a slightly
more favorable environment for a few elevated showers and storms.
Initiation for these storms will be along the eastern periphery of a
slightly stronger 700-850mb jet which will peak in strength after
midnight.  Not expecting high coverage or anything more than a few
rumbles of thunder, but will be worth watching through the night.
Shallow ground fog looks to return again late tonight into tomorrow
morning with similar model signals to the last few morning with
mostly clear skies, calm winds, strong inversion, but marginal
moisture.

Monday.

The pattern will gradually begin to shift tomorrow with warmer
weather working its way into central Indiana. Dry weather is
expected for much if not all of central Indiana through the morning
hours, but more robust southerly flow will bring dewpoints into the
70s along with warmer temperatures along with renewed rain chances.
Model soundings show upwards of 2000 J/kg of instability during peak
heating, but a lack of initiation source will limit convective
development and coverage for storms. Models may also be overdoing
the afternoon heating with the ridge still well out to the west and
weak northwesterly flow aloft through the daytime hours.

&&

.Long Term...(Monday night through Sunday)
Issued at 254 PM EDT Sun Jul 23 2023

* Hottest weather of the summer thus far later this week.

* Frequent but low chances for thunderstorms through the week.

Continued expectations for this week are for a very large upper
level ridge centered over the Southwest/southern High Plains, with
upper level troughing of various intensities over the northeastern
US, with central Indiana stuck in between in an upper level
northwest flow regime much of the week.

Surface flow will be largely southerly or southwesterly much of the
period, with warm advection maintaining a hotter and more humid
airmass through the week, at least until potential passage of a cold
front very late in the period.

As a result of this northwest flow aloft and warm, moist southerly
flow at the surface, frequent chances for thunderstorms will be
required through much of the long term period, but any one period
will not have more than low chances, owing to significant
uncertainty with respect to convective evolution, as the resultant
forecast depends both upon subtle disturbances that longer range
models generally handle poorly, and evolution of prior convection,
which models also struggle with significantly.

By mid week, afternoon highs in the low to mid 90s will be
commonplace, with peak heat index values approaching or exceeding
100 degrees at times. This is unlikely to rise to the level of
headline necessity, but will be quite hot and sticky, particularly
given the relative lack of such heat thus far this season. It is
also worth noting that heat illness is possible even with similar or
lower heat index values, particularly with prolonged exposure or in
those who are particularly susceptible.

Folks across central Indiana should take care to limit heat exposure
this week and take frequent breaks when this is not possible.

&&

.Aviation...(18Z TAF Issuance)
Issued at 1250 PM EDT Sun Jul 23 2023

Impacts:

-Isolated VCTS this afternoon from 20Z to 00Z.
-MVFR vsbys from 10Z to 13Z.

Discussion:

Diurnally driven cu will continue to increase in coverage through
18Z with a few showers/storms possible during the 20Z to 00Z
timeframe. Highest confidence for convection will be at IND. Clouds
will then clear after sunset. Winds will remain light and variable
through the period with a predominantly southerly direction. Patchy
fog with MVFR vsbys will return late tonight and continue through
the early morning hours.

&&

.IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None.

&&

Short Term...White
Long Term...Nield
Aviation...White
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 23, 3:20 PM EDT, 1 hour 25 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
320 PM EDT Sun Jul 23 2023

INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-241930-
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, Union City,
Farmland, Parker City, Clinton, Fairview Park, Rockville, Montezuma,
Rosedale, Greencastle, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Danville,
Indianapolis, Greenfield, New Castle, Terre Haute, Brazil, Spencer,
Gosport, Martinsville, Mooresville, Greenwood, Franklin,
Shelbyville, Rushville, Sullivan, Carlisle, Shelburn, Farmersburg,
Linton, Bloomfield, Jasonville, Worthington, Bloomington, Nashville,
Columbus, Greensburg, Vincennes, Washington, Loogootee, Shoals,
Bedford, Mitchell, Seymour, and North Vernon
320 PM EDT Sun Jul 23 2023

This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana.

.DAY ONE...Through Tonight.

Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms are expected at times
through tonight. An isolated strong to severe storm will be possible
through this evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected at times through
this week. A few strong storms cannot be ruled out at times. Peak
afternoon heat index values may approach the upper 90s to around 100
degrees at times from mid week into the early weekend.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report any severe weather observed this
evening and through the week.

&&

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, Jul 23, 2:59 PM EDT, 1 hour 46 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
259 PM EDT Sun Jul 23 2023

INZ040-041-231930-
Madison IN-Delaware IN-
259 PM EDT Sun Jul 23 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Madison
and northwestern Delaware Counties through 330 PM EDT...

At 259 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Fairmount, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Alexandria around 315 PM EDT.

This includes Interstate 69 between mile markers 246 and 252.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4022 8560 4036 8578 4038 8577 4038 8549
TIME...MOT...LOC 1859Z 296DEG 19KT 4036 8571

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

AGM
Local storm report, Jul 23, 3:51 PM EDT, 54 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 23, 3:59 PM EDT, 46 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 23, 4:07 PM EDT, 38 minutes before
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Local storm report, Jul 23, 4:14 PM EDT, 31 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 23, 4:39 PM EDT, 6 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 23, 2:59 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDMadison31 min
Jul 23, 3:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDDelaware, Madison34 min
Jul 23, 3:35 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDDelaware, Madison25 min
Jul 23, 3:58 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDDelaware32 min
Jul 23, 3:59 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDOwen46 min
Jul 23, 4:07 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDHenry38 min
Jul 23, 4:21 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDDelaware, Henry, Randolph24 min
Jul 23, 4:39 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDMorgan51 min
Jul 23, 4:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDDelaware, Henry, Randolph30 min
Jul 23, 4:51 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDOwen39 min
Jul 23, 4:53 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDHenry37 min
Jul 23, 5:17 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDOwen43 min
Jul 23, 5:30 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDRush15 min
Jul 23, 5:45 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDHenry30 min
Jul 23, 5:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDMonroe53 min
Jul 23, 6:17 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDGreene, Monroe28 min
Jul 23, 6:36 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDClay24 min
Jul 23, 6:41 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDLawrence34 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Indiana, 2023Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2023

Sources

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