Alert archive / Indiana / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 78, NWS Indianapolis, IN

August 13, 2026Parke County, Vermillion County, Vigo County, Indiana

NWS Indianapolis, IN issued this tornado warning at Aug 13, 2026, 4:26 PM EDT for Parke County, Vermillion County, Vigo County, Indiana. It was in force for 19 min. 8 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
Aug 13, 2026, 4:26 PM EDT (20:26 UTC)
Expired
Aug 13, 2026, 4:45 PM EDT
In force
19 min
Issued by
NWS Indianapolis, IN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Parke County, IN, Vermillion County, IN, Vigo County, IN

The radar

The Indianapolis radar (KIND), 86 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:27 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
Aug 13, 4:27 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Ese Clinton, INTime has been estimated from radar. Large tree down blocking road.
Aug 13, 4:27 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Ese Clinton, INTime has been estimated from radar. Large tree down blocking road.
Aug 13, 4:27 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGClinton, INA large tree was uprooted...partially hitting a one story house. Time is estimated from radar.
Aug 13, 4:27 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGClinton, INA large tree was uprooted...partially hitting a one story house. Time is estimated from radar.
Aug 13, 4:35 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Ese Clinton, IN6-inch live tree limbs were blown down.
Aug 13, 4:35 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Ese Clinton, IN6-inch live tree limbs were blown down.
Aug 13, 4:46 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGFontanet, INTime is estimated from radar. E Rio Grande Ave south of Fontanet IN...tree down on live power lines and laying across the road...tree is on fire.
Aug 13, 4:46 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGFontanet, INTime is estimated from radar. E Rio Grande Ave south of Fontanet IN...tree down on live power lines and laying across the road...tree is on fire.

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

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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 watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Aug 13, 1:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 8.4 hours before the alert went out and 128 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 2026-08-13Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 882 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-08-13The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 60 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
882 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-129 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
746 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
60 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
144 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
3.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

803 
WFUS53 KIND 132026
TORIND
INC121-165-167-132045-
/O.NEW.KIND.TO.W.0078.260813T2026Z-260813T2045Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
426 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2026

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern Vigo County in west central Indiana...
  Southwestern Parke County in west central Indiana...
  Southeastern Vermillion County in west central Indiana...

* Until 445 PM EDT.

* At 426 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Clinton, or 10 miles north of Terre Haute, moving
  southeast at 50 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* Locations impacted include...
  Clinton, Fairview Park, Seelyville, Rosedale, Universal, Fontanet,
  Shepardsville, Bridgeton, and North Terre Haute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3971 8741 3965 8716 3961 8718 3961 8720
      3952 8720 3952 8724 3948 8724 3962 8747
TIME...MOT...LOC 2026Z 319DEG 42KT 3963 8738 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

ME
1 follow-up statement
941 
WWUS53 KIND 132041
SVSIND

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
441 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2026

INC121-165-167-132051-
/O.EXP.KIND.TO.W.0078.000000T0000Z-260813T2045Z/
Vigo IN-Parke IN-Vermillion IN-
441 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN VIGO...SOUTHWESTERN PARKE AND
SOUTHEASTERN VERMILLION COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 445 PM EDT...

The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
west central Indiana.

LAT...LON 3971 8741 3965 8716 3961 8718 3961 8720
      3952 8720 3952 8724 3948 8724 3962 8747
TIME...MOT...LOC 2041Z 319DEG 42KT 3950 8724 

$$

Updike

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 Indianapolis, IN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Aug 13, 3:57 PM EDT, 29 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Heavy rain and localized flash flooding remain the primary concern today, especially across north central Indiana into the overnight.
  • Continued Rain tonight and on Friday will worsen an already very significant flooding event.
  • A few severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon with damaging wind is gusts as a storm complex moves in from the west
  • Additional storm chances continue Friday into Saturday as a warm front lifts north followed by a cold front over the weekend
  • Warmer and more humid conditions return Saturday before drier and cooler weather settles in Sunday through early next week
Area forecast discussion, Aug 13, 3:57 PM EDT, 29 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
357 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Heavy rain and localized flash flooding remain the primary concern
  today, especially across north central Indiana into the overnight.

- Continued Rain tonight and on Friday will worsen an already
  very significant flooding event.

- A few severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon with damaging
  wind is gusts as a storm complex moves in from the west

- Additional storm chances continue Friday into Saturday as a warm
  front lifts north followed by a cold front over the weekend

- Warmer and more humid conditions return Saturday before drier and
  cooler weather settles in Sunday through early next week

&&

.MESOSCALE UPDATE...
Issued at 357 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2026

Cluster of strong to severe storms over the IL/IN border will move
SE 30-40 mph, tracking along and down into a strong instability
gradient (SBCAPE 3000-4000 J/KG) extending along and south of I-74.
Recent ACARS soundings from KIND show around 1200 J/KG of DCAPE.
Although the cluster remains small in size, upscale growth owing to
cell mergers and enhancement of downdrafts from aforementioned DCAPE
will support an increasing damaging wind threat. Recent storm
reports and obs upstream suggest wind gusts to 70 mph will be
possible. This activity should reach the Indy metro area between 5
and 6 PM likely leading to significant impacts to the evening rush.
In addition, very heavy rainfall rates from 1-2 inch/hr will lead to
minor flooding, especially in poor drainage areas and urban areas.

An isolated/brief tornado is possible along the northern/eastern
edge of the cluster where enhanced low level vertical shear will
combine with antecedent modest 0-3 KM CAPE of 100-150 J/KG, and
background vorticity along weak outflow boundary.

&&

.DISCUSSION (This evening through Thursday)...
Issued at 227 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2026

Surface analysis this afternoon shows a trough axis across
central IL to the northern parts of Central Indiana. The convective
complex has advanced to Central IL. Radar shows a few scattered
thunderstorms ahead of this line pushing across eastern IL. Dew
points have surged to the 70s, but temperatures have been a bit slow
to rise due to cloud cover.

Tonight...

Uncertainty exist with he progression of the thunderstorm cluster
over IL. This system appears to be moving in to a less favorable
environment, due to morning clouds, but with the afternoon heating,
the environment is becoming more favorable for continued progression
to the ESE.

The continued NW flow aloft and another short wave are expect
overnight. This will generate showers and thunderstorm once again
overnight. Models show favorable isentropic lift setting up ahead of
the short wave overnight particularly along and north of LAF to
Rushville Axis. Given our very high dew points showers and storms
will be efficient rain producers and 1-2 inches of rain with
isolated higher amounts cannot be ruled out. Forecast soundings show
a saturated column with very high pwats over 2.2 inches overnight.
Additional rainfall over already flooded area may worsen the
situation. Thus will be using high pops tonight, focusing the best
timing from mid evening through 08Z.

Friday and Friday Night...

Models continue to suggest ridging riding forcing dynamics
continuing to pass across Central Indiana on Friday, with the
favorable air mass still in place along with the trough axis slowly
moving south across Indiana. Forecast soundings on Friday remain
saturated with very pwats still above 2 inches as lift and
instability remain in place. Thus will continue high pops through
the day again on Friday and Friday night, with best chances to
remain along and near and I-74 corridor.

Saturday and Saturday Night...

Forecast soundings are shown to dry out on Saturday and Saturday
night as convective temperatures become unreachable. However a very
warm and humid air mass will remain in place which may result in
need for a heat advisory as mid 90s will be possible. Models hint
that the best forcing path will push to the north and more limited
embedded waves look to pass. Thus should there be any diurnal
convection, best chances would be across the already soaked northern
parts of the forecast area.

Sunday and Sunday Night...

Rain chances look to persist on Sunday as a cold front will push
across Central Indiana though the afternoon and into the evening.
Upper levels suggest a continued WNW flow with a weak short wave
passing through the afternoon to provide forcing. Warm and humid air
will be in place ahead of this system. Thus plenty of factors in
play to support pops. Cold front is suggested to sag southward to
the Ohio River by late Sunday Night and precip should end near that
time.

Monday through Thursday...

Models suggest continue WNW flow in place aloft during this time,
but little in the way of forcing dynamics appear to be in play.
Meanwhile during this time, cooler high pressure in the wake of
Sunday's cold front will be pushing across Indiana and through the
region. This will lead to lower dewpoints and cooler highs. Forecast
soundings show a dry column through Wednesday morning as these
features pass.

On Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday the surface high will be
departing to the southeast. This will allow another surface boundary
over the Great Lakes to sag southward across Indiana at this time.
By this time, southerly return flow will have allowed warmer and
more humid air to arrive across Central Indiana. Furthermore, the
flow aloft looks to become more NW as ridging over the western US
becomes more amplified. Although the signal for embedded waves
within this flow is unclear at this time, given the pattern,
embedded waves providing forcing appears plausible. Thus pops and
warmer temperatures will be used.

&&

.AVIATION (12Z TAF Issuance)...
Issued at 631 AM EDT Thu Aug 13 2026

Impacts:

- MVFR/IFR conditions possible in fog and stratus through daybreak

- More widespread TSRA possible Thursday afternoon, potential for
  heavy rain during the overnight towards LAF

Discussion:

Some partial clearing of clouds, lessening wind, and wet ground from
recent rains will lead to fog/stratus development through daybreak.
Expect most of it to occur from 09Z to 12Z. IFR and worse is likely
at KLAF, with MVFR and potentially worse elsewhere. Fog will mix out
by 14Z.

Rain coverage through daybreak will likely remain limited to just
HUF with lower chances at IND and BMG. Rain coverage then should be
fairly low through the day before a complex of storms moves in from
the west during the afternoon. Training storms then are likely
tonight towards LAF with the potential for an extended period of
MVFR to IFR vsbys.

&&

.IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch until 8 PM EDT this evening for INZ021-028>031-
035>049-051>057-060>065-069>072.

Flood Watch from Friday morning through Friday evening for
INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-069>072.

&&

MESOSCALE...Crosbie
AVIATION...White
DISCUSSION...Puma
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 13, 3:17 PM EDT, 1 hour 9 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
317 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2026

INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-141930-
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-
317 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana.

.DAY ONE...Through Tonight.

Flooding will continue across mainly eastern portions of central
Indiana. Some portions of the Upper White River and Big Blue River
may reach major flood stage.

Strong to severe storms will be possible this afternoon and evening
with damaging winds as the main threat. Flash flooding then looks
likely through the overnight, mainly across the I-74 corridor.

Heavy Rain is possible along and north of the I-74 corridor tonight.
This may result in flooding and flash flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Heavy Rain is possible along and north of the I-74 corridor on Friday.
This may result in flooding and flash flooding.

Thunderstorms will be possible at times through the weekend along
with continued river flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to remain vigilant this week as multiple rounds
of severe storms will be possible. Report incidents of Flooding. Do
not enter flooded areas.

&&

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

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 13, 10:47 AM EDT, 5 hours 39 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1047 AM EDT Thu Aug 13 2026

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

0303 PM     Tornado          3 NNW Bruceville        38.80N 87.44W
08/12/2026                   Knox               IN   NWS Storm Survey

            A brief EF-1 tornado with estimated peak
            winds of 100 mph impacted several groves of
            trees and an outbuilding. There were
            multiple videos of the tornado and drone
            footage showed many trees snapped along the
            path.

&&

GM
Special weather statement, Aug 13, 3:48 PM EDT, 38 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
348 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2026

INZ053-061-062-070-132030-
Owen IN-Lawrence IN-Greene IN-Monroe IN-
348 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Monroe,
south central Owen, eastern Greene and northwestern Lawrence Counties
through 430 PM EDT...

At 348 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Bloomfield, or 21 miles west of Bloomington, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Bloomington, Bedford, Bloomfield, Worthington, Oolitic, Indiana
University, Smithville, Harrodsburg, Bartlettsville, Avoca,
Solsberry, Monroe Reservoir, Woodville Hills, Fairfax State
Recreation Area, Owensburg, and Whitehall.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
west central Indiana.

&&

LAT...LON 3889 8668 3890 8668 3890 8674 3896 8698
      3917 8700 3921 8637 3882 8638
TIME...MOT...LOC 1948Z 284DEG 31KT 3905 8690

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

ME

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 12, 8:13 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDHendricks, Marion13 hr
Aug 12, 8:20 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDBartholomew40 hr
Aug 12, 10:05 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDMadison38 hr
Aug 12, 10:11 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDDelaware38 hr
Aug 12, 10:19 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDHoward, Tipton11 hr
Aug 12, 10:24 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDHenry38 hr
Aug 12, 11:37 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDRush36 hr
Aug 12, 11:39 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDDecatur36 hr
Aug 12, 11:41 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDRandolph36 hr
Aug 12, 11:43 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDJennings9 hr
Aug 13, 1:35 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDClay, Greene, Sullivan, Vigo5 hr
Aug 13, 2:22 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDLawrence, Martin5 hr
Aug 13, 3:30 AM EDTDense Fog AdvisoryINDBoone, Carroll, Clay, Clinton, Delaware, Fountain and 21 more6 hr
Aug 13, 12:22 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningINDKnox, Sullivan17 days
Aug 13, 12:22 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningINDSullivan, Vigo14 days
Aug 13, 12:22 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningINDKnox, Sullivan18 days
Aug 13, 12:37 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningINDMonroe, Morgan, Owen6 days
Aug 13, 1:08 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningINDHamilton, Hancock, Madison, Marion66 hr
Aug 13, 3:24 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDFountain, Parke, Vermillion, Warren66 min
Aug 13, 3:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDParke, Vermillion, Vigo59 min
Aug 13, 3:48 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDMonroe42 min
Aug 13, 4:06 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryINDClay, Fountain, Montgomery, Parke, Putnam, Vermillion and 1 more3 hr
Aug 13, 4:33 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDClay, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Vigo57 min
Aug 13, 4:54 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDClay, Owen, Sullivan, Vigo51 min
Aug 13, 5:17 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningINDBrown, Greene, Monroe, Morgan, Owen58 min
Aug 13, 5:26 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDBrown, Clay, Johnson, Monroe, Morgan, Owen and 3 more6 hr
Aug 13, 5:30 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDJennings60 min
Aug 13, 5:54 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningINDDaviess, Greene, Knox11 days
Aug 13, 5:54 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningINDGreene, Monroe, Owen10 days
Aug 13, 6:00 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDBartholomew60 min
Aug 13, 6:12 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningINDBrown, Jackson, Jennings, Lawrence, Monroe3 hr
Aug 13, 6:50 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementINDLawrence55 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Indiana, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes in 2026

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.