Tornadoes and Hail in Ohio, May 2, 1983

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Ohio, May 2, 1983
Start: 1983-05-02T00:15
End: 1983-05-02T17:15
Location: Ohio

May 2, 1983 · NWS AT · 96 events in 41 counties and zones

45 thunderstorm wind, 43 hail, 8 tornado, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 2
Injuries: 52
Property damage: $54 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 96

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

Event by event

45 thunderstorm wind, 43 hail, 8 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Putnam

When: May 2, 12:15 AM CST
Where: Putnam County
Measured: 62 kt (71 mph)
Coordinates: 40.950, -83.970

Thunderstorm Wind, Wood

When: May 2, 12:45 AM CST
Where: Wood County
Coordinates: 40.470, -83.730

Hail, Montgomery

When: May 2, 1:55 AM CST
Where: Montgomery County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 39.830, -84.670

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: May 2, 1:55 AM CST
Where: Montgomery County
Coordinates: 39.830, -84.670

Hail, Defiance

When: May 2, 10:20 AM CST
Where: Defiance County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.230, -84.280

Hail, Defiance

When: May 2, 10:20 AM CST
Where: Defiance County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.320, -84.530

Hail, Henry

When: May 2, 10:20 AM CST
Where: Henry County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.320, -84.080

Hail, Putnam

When: May 2, 10:25 AM CST
Where: Putnam County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.020, -84.150

Thunderstorm Wind, Putnam

When: May 2, 10:25 AM CST
Where: Putnam County
Coordinates: 41.020, -84.150

Hail, Van Wert

When: May 2, 10:30 AM CST
Where: Van Wert County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.870, -84.620

Tornado, Henry

When: May 2, 10:37 AM CST
Where: Henry County
Rating: F2
Path length: 5 mi
Path width: 83 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 41.230, -84.020

Tornado, Wood

When: May 2, 10:49 AM CST
Where: Wood County
Rating: F3
Path length: 5 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 22 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.330, -83.830

Hail, Wood

When: May 2, 10:51 AM CST
Where: Wood County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.370, -83.670

Hail, Wyandot

When: May 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Wyandot County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 40.830, -83.280

Hail, Hancock

When: May 2, 11:02 AM CST
Where: Hancock County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.100, -83.780

Hail, Allen

When: May 2, 11:05 AM CST
Where: Allen County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.780, -84.150

Thunderstorm Wind, Allen

When: May 2, 11:05 AM CST
Where: Allen County
Coordinates: 40.780, -84.150

Hail, Wood

When: May 2, 11:10 AM CST
Where: Wood County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.400, -83.470

Hail, Ottawa

When: May 2, 11:30 AM CST
Where: Ottawa County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.520, -83.150

Thunderstorm Wind, Ottawa

When: May 2, 11:30 AM CST
Where: Ottawa County
Coordinates: 41.520, -83.150

Hail, Ottawa

When: May 2, 11:35 AM CST
Where: Ottawa County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.520, -82.950

Hail, Hancock

When: May 2, 11:35 AM CST
Where: Hancock County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.980, -83.680

Thunderstorm Wind, Ottawa

When: May 2, 11:35 AM CST
Where: Ottawa County
Coordinates: 41.520, -82.950

Thunderstorm Wind, Hancock

When: May 2, 11:35 AM CST
Where: Hancock County
Coordinates: 40.980, -83.680

Thunderstorm Wind, Sandusky

When: May 2, 11:43 AM CST
Where: Sandusky County
Coordinates: 41.350, -83.120

Thunderstorm Wind, Sandusky

When: May 2, 11:43 AM CST
Where: Sandusky County
Coordinates: 41.320, -82.970

Hail, Putnam

When: May 2, 11:50 AM CST
Where: Putnam County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 40.900, -84.280

Thunderstorm Wind, Van Wert

When: May 2, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Van Wert County
Coordinates: 40.870, -84.620

Hail, Champaign

When: May 2, 12:10 PM CST
Where: Champaign County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 40.150, -83.770

Tornado, Huron

When: May 2, 12:20 PM CST
Where: Huron County
Rating: F2
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 41.020, -82.600

Hail, Huron

When: May 2, 12:20 PM CST
Where: Huron County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.080, -82.500

Hail, Huron

When: May 2, 12:20 PM CST
Where: Huron County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.050, -82.730

Thunderstorm Wind, Huron

When: May 2, 12:20 PM CST
Where: Huron County
Coordinates: 41.030, -82.520

Thunderstorm Wind, Fulton

When: May 2, 12:20 PM CST
Where: Fulton County
Coordinates: 41.600, -83.880

Thunderstorm Wind, Huron

When: May 2, 12:20 PM CST
Where: Huron County
Coordinates: 41.230, -82.620

Thunderstorm Wind, Huron

When: May 2, 12:20 PM CST
Where: Huron County
Coordinates: 41.050, -82.730

Thunderstorm Wind, Fulton

When: May 2, 12:20 PM CST
Where: Fulton County
Coordinates: 41.580, -84.130

Thunderstorm Wind, Erie

When: May 2, 12:20 PM CST
Where: Erie County
Coordinates: 41.380, -82.430

Hail, Hamilton

When: May 2, 12:26 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 39.120, -84.550

Hail, Hancock

When: May 2, 12:28 PM CST
Where: Hancock County
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Coordinates: 41.030, -83.650

Thunderstorm Wind, Lorain

When: May 2, 12:30 PM CST
Where: Lorain County
Coordinates: 41.170, -82.220

Thunderstorm Wind, Crawford

When: May 2, 12:30 PM CST
Where: Crawford County
Coordinates: 40.850, -82.950

Hail, Huron

When: May 2, 12:35 PM CST
Where: Huron County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.080, -82.500

Thunderstorm Wind, Lake

When: May 2, 12:35 PM CST
Where: Lake County
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 41.670, -81.330

Hail, Hancock

When: May 2, 12:40 PM CST
Where: Hancock County
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Coordinates: 41.020, -83.680

Hail, Hamilton

When: May 2, 12:40 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 39.120, -84.550

Hail, Seneca

When: May 2, 12:43 PM CST
Where: Seneca County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.100, -83.170

Hail, Lucas

When: May 2, 12:45 PM CST
Where: Lucas County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.650, -83.550

Thunderstorm Wind, Delaware

When: May 2, 12:50 PM CST
Where: Delaware County
Coordinates: 40.270, -83.020

Thunderstorm Wind, Hancock

When: May 2, 12:50 PM CST
Where: Hancock County
Coordinates: 41.030, -83.650

Hail, Lorain

When: May 2, 12:53 PM CST
Where: Lorain County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.230, -82.120

Thunderstorm Wind, Cuyahoga

When: May 2, 12:55 PM CST
Where: Cuyahoga County
Coordinates: 41.470, -81.630

Hail, Seneca

When: May 2, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Seneca County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.100, -83.170

Thunderstorm Wind, Richland

When: May 2, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Richland County
Coordinates: 40.780, -82.550

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: May 2, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County
Coordinates: 39.180, -84.530

Hail, Medina

When: May 2, 1:05 PM CST
Where: Medina County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.230, -81.830

Hail, Huron

When: May 2, 1:20 PM CST
Where: Huron County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.180, -82.800

Hail, Summit

When: May 2, 1:20 PM CST
Where: Summit County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.170, -81.500

Hail, Clermont

When: May 2, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Clermont County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 39.020, -84.150

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: May 2, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County
Coordinates: 39.180, -84.530

Thunderstorm Wind, Ottawa

When: May 2, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Ottawa County
Coordinates: 41.530, -83.100

Thunderstorm Wind, Fairfield

When: May 2, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Fairfield County
Coordinates: 39.720, -82.600

Hail, Holmes

When: May 2, 1:40 PM CST
Where: Holmes County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.600, -81.920

Thunderstorm Wind, Portage

When: May 2, 1:40 PM CST
Where: Portage County
Coordinates: 41.230, -81.350

Hail, Pickaway

When: May 2, 1:50 PM CST
Where: Pickaway County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 39.630, -83.050

Hail, Ross

When: May 2, 1:50 PM CST
Where: Ross County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 39.330, -83.050

Thunderstorm Wind, Coshocton

When: May 2, 1:50 PM CST
Where: Coshocton County
Coordinates: 40.300, -81.930

Hail, Ashtabula

When: May 2, 1:55 PM CST
Where: Ashtabula County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.950, -80.550

Thunderstorm Wind, Huron

When: May 2, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Huron County
Coordinates: 41.080, -82.400

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: May 2, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County
Coordinates: 39.180, -84.530

Thunderstorm Wind, Lorain

When: May 2, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Lorain County
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates: 41.370, -82.100

Thunderstorm Wind, Columbiana

When: May 2, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Columbiana County
Coordinates: 40.780, -80.770

Thunderstorm Wind, Morrow

When: May 2, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Morrow County
Coordinates: 40.500, -82.900

Hail, Pickaway

When: May 2, 2:05 PM CST
Where: Pickaway County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 39.630, -83.050

Tornado, Richland

When: May 2, 2:10 PM CST
Where: Richland County
Rating: F1
Path length: 10 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 40.620, -82.580

Thunderstorm Wind, Trumbull

When: May 2, 2:10 PM CST
Where: Trumbull County
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates: 41.100, -80.650

Thunderstorm Wind, Knox

When: May 2, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Knox County
Coordinates: 40.420, -82.430

Hail, Lorain

When: May 2, 2:21 PM CST
Where: Lorain County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.280, -82.220

Thunderstorm Wind, Medina

When: May 2, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Medina County
Coordinates: 41.130, -81.870

Thunderstorm Wind, Geauga

When: May 2, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Geauga County
Coordinates: 41.580, -81.200

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: May 2, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County
Coordinates: 39.180, -84.530

Thunderstorm Wind, Clermont

When: May 2, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Clermont County
Coordinates: 39.020, -84.150

Hail, Cuyahoga

When: May 2, 2:40 PM CST
Where: Cuyahoga County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.420, -81.700

Hail, Lorain

When: May 2, 2:40 PM CST
Where: Lorain County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.280, -82.170

Tornado, Cuyahoga

When: May 2, 2:55 PM CST
Where: Cuyahoga County
Rating: F3
Path length: 12 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 25 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.330, -81.650

Thunderstorm Wind, Columbiana

When: May 2, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Columbiana County
Coordinates: 40.780, -80.770

Hail, Lorain

When: May 2, 3:35 PM CST
Where: Lorain County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 41.280, -82.220

Thunderstorm Wind, Ashtabula

When: May 2, 3:35 PM CST
Where: Ashtabula County
Coordinates: 41.620, -80.570

Thunderstorm Wind, Geauga

When: May 2, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Geauga County
Coordinates: 41.500, -81.200

Tornado, Ross

When: May 2, 3:45 PM CST
Where: Ross County
Rating: F1
Path length: 6 mi
Path width: 83 yd
Injuries: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 39.320, -83.250

Hail, Cuyahoga

When: May 2, 4:10 PM CST
Where: Cuyahoga County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.320, -81.830

Hail, Lorain

When: May 2, 4:24 PM CST
Where: Lorain County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.230, -82.120

Tornado, Fayette

When: May 2, 4:27 PM CST
Where: Fayette County
Rating: F1
Path length: 10 mi
Path width: 83 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 39.570, -83.450

Tornado, Pickaway

When: May 2, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Pickaway County
Rating: F1
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 83 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 39.620, -83.250

Hail, Athens

When: May 2, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Athens County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 39.500, -82.080

Thunderstorm Wind, Trumbull

When: May 2, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Trumbull County
Coordinates: 41.170, -80.850

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Tornado, Wood	1983-05-02				Direct
Tornado, Cuyahoga	1983-05-02				Direct

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Ohio in 1983 Every state in 1983 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Ohio, 1983

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 10098445, 10098446, 10098447, 10098448, 10098449, 10098450, 10098451, 10098452, 10098453, 10098454, 10098455, 10098456, 10098457, 10098458, 10098459, 10098460, 10098461, 10098462, 10098463, 10098464, 10098465, 10098466, 10098467, 10098468, 10098469, 10098470, 10098471, 10098472, 10098473, 10098474, 10098475, 10098476, 10098477, 10098478, 10098479, 10098480, 10098481, 10098482, 10098483, 10098484, and more.