Alert archive / Indiana / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 24, NWS Northern Indiana
NWS Northern Indiana issued this tornado warning at Apr 17, 2026, 11:16 PM CDT for LaPorte County, Indiana. It was in force for 29 min. 1 report 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
- Apr 17, 2026, 11:16 PM CDT (04:16 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 17, 2026, 11:45 PM CDT
- In force
- 29 min
- Issued by
- NWS Northern Indiana
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
County LaPorte County, IN
The radar
The Northern Indiana radar (KIWX), 86 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:20 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 11:32 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 N Fish Lake, IN | Delayed report. A barn was blown down on CR-75 South just east of CR-775East in LaPorte County. Timing based on radar. |
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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 9:44 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 3 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 00:00Z, 4.3 hours before the alert went out and 220 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1309 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -103 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1221 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 51 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 212 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 264 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.8
- Supercell composite
- 8.2
The text
As transmitted.
242
WFUS53 KIWX 180416
TORIWX
INC091-180445-
/O.NEW.KIWX.TO.W.0024.260418T0416Z-260418T0445Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1116 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Central La Porte County in northwestern Indiana...
* Until 1145 PM CDT.
* At 1116 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
tornado was located near Kingsford Heights, or 7 miles southeast of
Westville, moving northeast at 45 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.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
Kingsford Heights around 1120 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Byron,
South Center, Salem Heights, Fish Lake, Tracy, Kingsbury, Stillwell,
and Union Mills.
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 4141 8685 4150 8687 4166 8663 4163 8652
4147 8653
TIME...MOT...LOC 0416Z 244DEG 37KT 4147 8680
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
CLH2 follow-up statements
797
WWUS53 KIWX 180429
SVSIWX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1129 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
INC091-180445-
/O.CON.KIWX.TO.W.0024.000000T0000Z-260418T0445Z/
La Porte IN-
1129 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1145 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN LA PORTE COUNTY...
At 1129 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes
were located along a line extending from near La Porte to near
Kingsford Heights, moving northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
These tornadic storms will remain over mainly rural areas of
northeastern La Porte County, including the following locations...
Byron, South Center, Salem Heights, Fish Lake, Tracy, Kingsbury, and
Stillwell.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4144 8671 4159 8673 4166 8663 4163 8652
4147 8653
TIME...MOT...LOC 0429Z 240DEG 44KT 4164 8663 4146 8662
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
CLH590
WWUS53 KIWX 180438
SVSIWX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1138 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
INC091-180448-
/O.EXP.KIWX.TO.W.0024.000000T0000Z-260418T0445Z/
La Porte IN-
1138 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN LA PORTE COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 1145 PM CDT...
The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 AM CDT for northwestern
Indiana.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Northern Indiana.
&&
LAT...LON 4144 8671 4159 8673 4166 8663 4163 8652
4147 8653
TIME...MOT...LOC 0438Z 244DEG 37KT 4168 8653 4150 8652
$$
CLHWhat 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 Northern Indiana wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 17, 7:25 PM CDT, 3 hours 51 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- A line of strong to severe storms is expected to move in later this evening and spread east overnight. The greatest severe threat will exist west of Interstate 69 with damaging winds and possibly a tornado or 2 the main concern.
- Some hydro concerns will exist tonight as locally heavy rain accompanies the line of storms. Overall QPF amounts and expected duration should limit additional impacts, but some areas could see localized flooding issues. Thereafter, no additional significant rain chances are expected into next week.
- Much cooler temperatures arrive and persist into early next week with chances for near or below freezing temps Sunday and Monday morning.
- Rain chances may return towards the end of next week.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 17, 7:25 PM CDT, 3 hours 51 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Northern Indiana 825 PM EDT Fri Apr 17 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - A line of strong to severe storms is expected to move in later this evening and spread east overnight. The greatest severe threat will exist west of Interstate 69 with damaging winds and possibly a tornado or 2 the main concern. - Some hydro concerns will exist tonight as locally heavy rain accompanies the line of storms. Overall QPF amounts and expected duration should limit additional impacts, but some areas could see localized flooding issues. Thereafter, no additional significant rain chances are expected into next week. - Much cooler temperatures arrive and persist into early next week with chances for near or below freezing temps Sunday and Monday morning. - Rain chances may return towards the end of next week. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 226 PM EDT Fri Apr 17 2026 Primary forecast focus is on the well advertised strong to severe storm threat this evening into the overnight hours in association with a strong cold front and plentiful upper level support. Dry conditions are expected through the remainder of the afternoon and most likely to near or just after 00Z. Numerous thunderstorms are expected to develop upstream (some already underway from Minnesota to NE Missouri) in a strongly favorable environment for all modes of severe. As these storms races ENE, they should congeal into 1 or more lines and most likely establish strong cold pools as they move across IL and eventually into portions of Indiana. It remains to be seen just how strong they are as they arrive later this evening, but concerns have increased some that they make it roughly half way through the area before weakening somewhat. This is depicted by some expansion east of the Slight and Marginal Risk areas in the DY1 outlook. By this point, hail should not be a concern, with areas of wind damage (60 to 70 mph) as well as some brief tornadoes will be the main concern. The main severe threat should wrap up in the 6-8Z time frame with lingering stratiform rain behind the main line. Pops have been adjusted for a somewhat faster trend given the impacts of the cold pool pushing the line along sooner than previous indications. With regards to hydro issues, a Flood Watch was contemplated given the potential for 0.5" to 1" of rain (locally higher possible), but with the line being so progressive feel the concerns will be rather limited and can just be handled by Flood Advisories or Warnings as needed. The front will stall out some Saturday as another wave moves along it. The severe threat should remain to our east but some showers and maybe a storm are still possible in SE areas, especially early. After that, we enter a less active period into at least the middle of next week with the only concern being the monitoring of colder temperatures and frost/freeze potential Sunday and Monday morning. Will sort that out after we get this system out of here. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 804 PM EDT Fri Apr 17 2026 VFR conditions should prevail through mid-to-late evening with BKN to OVC ceilings around 10k feet AGL at both KSBN and KFWA. A line of showers and thunderstorms will track eastward across the area overnight, mainly between 04z and 11z Saturday. Occasional MVFR conditions will likely accompany the heaviest precipitation cores, along with gusty and erratic surface winds. Showers will likely linger in the wake of this convection w/ MVFR ceilings at or below 2500 feet AGL. && .IWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IN...None. OH...None. MI...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 2 AM EDT Sunday for LMZ043-046. && DISCUSSION...Fisher AVIATION...Hammer
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 17, 10:41 PM CDT, 35 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Northern Indiana 1141 PM EDT Fri Apr 17 2026 INZ005-012>015-020-022>024-103-104-116-203-204-216-MIZ078-177-277- 190345- Elkhart-Starke-Pulaski-Marshall-Fulton IN-White-Cass IN-Miami-Wabash- Northern La Porte-Eastern St. Joseph IN-Northern Kosciusko- Southern La Porte-Western St. Joseph IN-Southern Kosciusko-Cass MI- Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien- 1141 PM EDT Fri Apr 17 2026 /1041 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026/ ...TORNADO WATCH 133 IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM EDT /2 AM CDT/ SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Tornado Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Overnight lows in the 30s Saturday night may allow for frost formation with a freeze possible Sunday night as temperatures dip below freezing. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. LMZ043-046-190345- New Buffalo MI to St Joseph MI-Michigan City IN to New Buffalo MI- 1141 PM EDT Fri Apr 17 2026 ...TORNADO WATCH 133 IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM EDT SATURDAY... ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT SUNDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the nearshore waters of southeastern Lake Michigan. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Tornado Watch. Small Craft Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Small Craft Advisory. INZ006>009-017-018-025>027-032>034-MIZ079>081-OHZ001-002-004-005-015- 016-024-025-190345- Lagrange-Steuben-Noble-De Kalb-Whitley-Allen IN-Huntington-Wells- Adams-Grant-Blackford-Jay-St. Joseph MI-Branch-Hillsdale-Williams- Fulton OH-Defiance-Henry-Paulding-Putnam-Van Wert-Allen OH- 1141 PM EDT Fri Apr 17 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Indiana, southwest Michigan and northwest Ohio. .DAY ONE...Tonight. A line of strong to possibly severe storms is forecasted this evening into the early overnight hours. Damaging winds, heavy rain and isolated tornadoes are all possible, with the line expected to weaken as it moves east. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Overnight lows in the 30s Saturday night may allow for frost formation with a freeze possible Sunday night as temperatures dip below freezing. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.
The office that day
Everything else NWS Northern Indiana issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 8:30 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | IWX | Carroll, Pulaski, White | 55 hr |
| Apr 17, 9:59 PM CDT | Special Marine Warning | IWX | 2 hr | |
| Apr 17, 10:36 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | IWX | Cass, LaPorte, Pulaski, Starke, White | 54 min |
| Apr 17, 11:26 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | IWX | Fulton, LaPorte, Marshall, Pulaski, Saint Joseph, Starke | 47 min |
| Apr 17, 11:42 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | IWX | Elkhart, Saint Joseph | 33 min |
| Apr 17, 11:59 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | IWX | Elkhart, Kosciusko, Marshall, Saint Joseph | 46 min |
| Apr 18, 12:06 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | IWX | Grant, Kosciusko, Miami, Wabash | 24 min |
| Apr 18, 12:56 PM CDT | Frost Advisory | IWX | Adams, Allen, Blackford, Cass, DeKalb, Elkhart and 18 more | 19 hr |
| Apr 18, 12:56 PM CDT | Freeze Watch | IWX | Adams, Allen, Blackford, Cass, DeKalb, Elkhart and 18 more | 12 hr |
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.