Hail and Damaging Winds in Ohio, July 4, 2003

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Ohio, July 4, 2003
Start: 2003-07-04T12:20
End: 2003-07-04T15:44
Location: Ohio

July 4, 2003 · NWS CLE · 41 events in 25 counties and zones

37 thunderstorm wind, 4 hail, 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: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $832,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 41

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.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Cleveland, OH wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 4, 9:30 AM EST, 2 hours 50 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 4, 9:30 AM EST, 2 hours 50 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
1030 AM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003

WILL MAKE SOME ADJ TO AFTN FCST BASED ON TIMING AND TREND OF TRW
LINE ACRS WRN LWR MI. WILL INCRS WORDING TO LKLY ACRS NRN COUNTIES
AND ADD TIMING. SCT TRW CURR IN NW PA WILL MOVE E BY MIDDAY WITH
MORE STORMS LATER.

.CLE...
OH...NONE.
PA...NONE.

BM

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 4, 5:20 AM EST, 7 hours before

OHZ003-006>014-017>023-027>033-036>038-047-089-PAZ001>003-041215-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
620 AM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR MUCH OF NORTHERN OHIO
AND A PORTION OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY
CAUTION SHOULD BE USED TODAY DUE TO THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY. HEAT
INDICES WILL APPROACH 100 DEGREES AND THOSE OUTDOORS SHOULD TAKE
PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID OVER HEATING. AIR POLLUTION AND OZONE COULD BE
HAZARDOUS TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS TODAY.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MAY DEVELOP LATE TODAY AND TONIGHT. THE
GREATEST THREAT IS FOR DAMAGING WINDS OVER 60 MPH. HEAVY DOWNPOURS
ARE ALSO LIKELY AS WELL AS FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. THE
THREAT MAY BE GREATER THAN USUAL TODAY DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF
PEOPLE AT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND AT FIREWORKS DISPLAYS FOR THE
FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE AGAIN ON SATURDAY.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED TODAY OR TONIGHT DUE TO POSSIBLE
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS.

The radar

The Cleveland radar (KCLE), 94 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:19 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

37 thunderstorm wind, 4 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lucas

When: July 4, 12:20 PM EST to 12:37 PM EST
Where: Lucas County, Sylvania
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $35,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.067, -82.883

Thunderstorm winds downed many trees and several power poles.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hancock

When: July 4, 12:45 PM EST to 1:10 PM EST
Where: Hancock County, Countywide
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 41.400, -83.467

Thunderstorm winds downed many trees and at least two power poles across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sandusky

When: July 4, 1:00 PM EST to 1:15 PM EST
Where: Sandusky County, Countywide
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 40.783, -82.533

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees and large limbs across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wood

When: July 4, 1:05 PM EST
Where: Wood County, Pemberville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 41.367, -81.067

Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wyandot

When: July 4, 1:15 PM EST
Where: Wyandot County, Countywide
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 41.183, -81.200

Thunderstorm winds downed two trees near Carey and a third in the southeastern corner of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Seneca

When: July 4, 1:15 PM EST
Where: Seneca County, Tiffin
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 41.400, -82.217

Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Tiffin and Fostoria.

Thunderstorm Wind, Erie

When: July 4, 1:26 PM EST
Where: Erie County, Sandusky
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 40.667, -81.250

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees. A home and building were damaged by fallen trees. A van was crushed by a tree.

Thunderstorm Wind, Trumbull

When: July 4, 1:40 PM EST
Where: Trumbull County, Newton Falls
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.717, -83.700

An estimated 75 mph thunderstorm wind gust was reported in Newton Falls. Several trees were downed.

Hail, Trumbull

When: July 4, 1:40 PM EST
Where: Trumbull County, Newton Falls
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 40.500, -81.983

Penny size hail was observed.

Hail, Portage

When: July 4, 1:41 PM EST
Where: Portage County, Ravenna
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.100, -80.750

Penny size hail was observed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Huron

When: July 4, 1:45 PM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where: Huron County, Norwalk
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.383, -81.250

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees and many large limbs.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marion

When: July 4, 1:45 PM EST
Where: Marion County, Marion
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 41.450, -82.717

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Seneca

When: July 4, 1:45 PM EST
Where: Seneca County, Attica
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 40.983, -83.633

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees and large limbs.

Thunderstorm Wind, Crawford

When: July 4, 2:00 PM EST
Where: Crawford County, Galion
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 40.883, -83.283

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Crawford

When: July 4, 2:00 PM EST
Where: Crawford County, Galion
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.317, -82.017

Thunderstorm winds downed a few large tree limbs.

Thunderstorm Wind, Huron

When: July 4, 2:00 PM EST
Where: Huron County, Norwalk
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $125,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.183, -80.983

Thunderstorm winds downed dozens of trees and large limbs in and around Norwalk. At least four homes were damaged by trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lorain

When: July 4, 2:05 PM EST to 2:15 PM EST
Where: Lorain County, Oberlin
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 40.800, -81.383

Thunderstorm winds downed many trees and large limbs across the county. The Oberlin, Kipton and Elyria areas were especially hard hit. A barn was blown down in Eaton Township. A car was crushed by a tree in Elyria. A peak wind gust of 54 mph was measured at the Lorain County Airport near Elyria.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mahoning

When: July 4, 2:10 PM EST
Where: Mahoning County, Austintown
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 41.367, -82.100

Thunderstorm winds downed two trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lorain

When: July 4, 2:15 PM EST to 2:35 PM EST
Where: Lorain County, Elyria
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.383, -83.117

Thunderstorm winds downed several large tree limbs. A car was damaged by a limb on the west side of Elyria.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cuyahoga

When: July 4, 2:25 PM EST
Where: Cuyahoga County, North Olmsted
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates: 40.800, -82.283

A 58 mph thunderstorm wind gust was reported. A few trees were downed.

Hail, Lorain

When: July 4, 2:25 PM EST
Where: Lorain County, Elyria
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.283, -82.217

Nickel size hail was observed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Richland

When: July 4, 2:27 PM EST to 2:49 PM EST
Where: Richland County, Countywide
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 40.450, -82.267

Thunderstorm winds downed trees across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Trumbull

When: July 4, 2:30 PM EST
Where: Trumbull County, Niles
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 40.733, -82.783

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ashland

When: July 4, 2:30 PM EST
Where: Ashland County, Ashland
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.233, -82.617

Thunderstorm winds downed one tree and several large limbs.

Thunderstorm Wind, Geauga

When: July 4, 2:30 PM EST
Where: Geauga County, Auburn Center
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 41.317, -81.150

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees in Auburn Township.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ashland

When: July 4, 2:30 PM EST to 2:50 PM EST
Where: Ashland County, Countywide
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.167, -81.233

Thunderstorm winds downed many trees and large limbs across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Morrow

When: July 4, 2:30 PM EST
Where: Morrow County, Johnsville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 40.583, -83.133

Thunderstorm winds downed a few large trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lorain

When: July 4, 2:30 PM EST
Where: Lorain County, Amherst
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 40.867, -82.300

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Trumbull

When: July 4, 2:37 PM EST
Where: Trumbull County, Cortland
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 41.100, -83.167

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lorain

When: July 4, 2:40 PM EST
Where: Lorain County, Eaton Estates
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 41.100, -80.967

Thunderstorm winds blew down a barn in Eaton Township.

Thunderstorm Wind, Medina

When: July 4, 2:45 PM EST to 3:00 PM EST
Where: Medina County, Weymouth
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.050, -81.383

Thunderstorm winds toppled around two dozen trees near Weymouth.

Thunderstorm Wind, Geauga

When: July 4, 2:52 PM EST
Where: Geauga County, Parkman
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.183, -80.767

Thunderstorm winds damaged a barn and downed one large tree.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When: July 4, 3:05 PM EST
Where: Wayne County, Apple Creek
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.233, -82.617

Thunderstorm winds toppled two very large trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Holmes

When: July 4, 3:15 PM EST
Where: Holmes County, Killbuck
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 40.750, -81.833

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Summit

When: July 4, 3:15 PM EST
Where: Summit County, Mogadore
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates: 41.183, -80.983

Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree which landed on a house and caused significant damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Portage

When: July 4, 3:19 PM EST to 3:44 PM EST
Where: Portage County, Countywide
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.417, -81.917

Thunderstorm winds downed over 30 trees in Paris Township, five trees in Hiram and scattered trees elsewhere across the county. A roof was torn off of a garage in Paris Township.

Thunderstorm Wind, Knox

When: July 4, 3:23 PM EST
Where: Knox County, Danville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.333, -80.733

Thunderstorm winds downed many trees.

Hail, Portage

When: July 4, 3:26 PM EST
Where: Portage County, Hiram
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 40.733, -82.783

Nickel size hail was observed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stark

When: July 4, 3:30 PM EST
Where: Stark County, Canton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 40.617, -82.667

Thunderstorm winds downed two large trees three miles southwest of Canton.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stark

When: July 4, 3:32 PM EST
Where: Stark County, Waynesburg
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.183, -81.800

A 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust was measured. A few trees and large limbs were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mahoning

When: July 4, 3:35 PM EST
Where: Mahoning County, Lake Milton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 41.367, -82.100

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees.

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Ohio in 2003 Every state in 2003 This day in weather history Warnings in Ohio, July 2003

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: 5376175, 5376164, 5376163, 5376473, 5376549, 5376551, 5376550, 5376101, 5378127, 5379726, 5376102, 5376166, 5376559, 5376165, 5376552, 5376555, 5376103, 5376173, 5376558, 5376169, 5376557, 5376178, 5376168, 5376171, 5376176, 5376553, 5376561, 5376566, 5376167, 5375439, 5376170, 5376563, 5376556, 5376172, 5376554, 5376564, 5376562, 5376560, 5376177, 5376565, and more.