A strong low level jet, remnants of a morning complex of storms from Iowa, and increasing instability all combined to create favorable conditions for damaging winds and isolated supercells. One supercell in particular had a storm motion towards the southeast when the line it was associated with moved mainly eastward.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS IWX wrote it up.
A strong low level jet, remnants of a morning complex of storms from Iowa, and increasing instability all combined to create favorable conditions for damaging winds and isolated supercells. One supercell in particular had a storm motion towards the southeast when the line it was associated with moved mainly eastward. This supercell did produce a tornado in Marshall county.
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 Northern Indiana wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 15, 6:15 PM CST, 2 hours 3 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA 815 PM EDT WED AUG 15 2007 .AVIATION... MAIN FOCUS ON 00Z TERMINAL FORECASTS TO NARROW TSRA WINDOW DOWN SOME TOWARD BEST FOCUS WITH 4-5 HR DURATION. DEFORMATION ZONE FM NERN IL EWD ACRS SRN LWR MICHIGAN FOCUSING SHRA/ISOLD TSRA THIS EVENING WITH THIS AREA SLOWLY SHIFTING SWD TOWARD KSBN NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS. BELIEVE MAIN TSRA THREAT STILL DEVELOPING TO WEST WITH ZONE OF VERY STRONG INSTABILITY ACRS ERN IA/NWRN IL THIS EVENING WITH MUCAPES 3500-4500 J/KG AND CAPPING INVERSION ERODED. APPROACH OF MESOSCALE CONVECTIVE VORTICITY CENTER INTO INSTABILITY ZONE AND INCREASED W-NWRLY MID TROPOSPHERIC FLOW TO 50-60 KTS OVER BACKED/INCREASED 8H FLOW...PER KILX PROFILE...SHOULD PROVIDE AMPLE FORCING FOR TSRA DEVELOPMENT UPSTREAM...MOVING INTO KSBN/KFWA BY LATE EVENING/NEAR MIDNIGHT. COOLING OF LOW LEVELS BEHIND FRONTAL WAVE PASSAGE TOWARD DAYBREAK TO AID IN BR FORMATION FOR MVFR VSBYS...THEN INCREASED SUBSIDENCE/DRYING YIELDING VFR CONDITIONS BY MIDDAY THURSDAY. && .SHORT TERM... STG NRN STREAM SW TROUGH DIGGING SEWD ACRS MANITOBA ATTM W/QUASI STATIONARY COMPOSITE OUTFLW EXTENDING FM CNTRL IN BACK WEST INTO SFC LOW CENTER OVR SRN IA. SWRLY LLJ WHICH HAD MAINTAINED MORNING IA MCS INTO NW IL THIS AFTN HAS RECENTLY DIMINISHED EVEN THOUGH WARM SECTOR AIRMASS HAD BECOME VRY UNSTABLE. STILL BELIEVE LL MSTR FLUX INADV OF MCV AND SFC REFLECTION OVR ERN IA WILL REFIRE STORMS THIS EVENING OVR NE IL/NW INDIANA TWD 00Z W/UPSCALE MCS DVLPMNT STILL XPCD OVR NRN INDIANA OVERNIGHT AND IN LINE W/15Z RUC GUIDANCE. OTHERWISE HIGH PRES WILL BLD SEWD BEHIND NRN STREAM TROUGH. MORNING STORMS ALG SFC CDFNT WILL GIVE WAY TO AFTN SUN AND HAVE SOME DOUBTS ON GOING AFTN MENTION. HWVR TO KEEP WITHIN CONTINUITY WILL RETAIN LOW CHC POPS FOR THE AFTN PD FAR SOUTH. COOLER SCOPE OF GUIDANCE TEMPS FAVORED FOR HIGHS ESP IN LIGHT OF UPSTREAM READINGS ACRS THE DAKOTAS/NRN MN THIS AFTN. && .LONG TERM... THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY. FEW CHANGES TO LONG TERM. FRONT WILL CONTINUE TO MEANDER AROUND THE REGION THROUGH MUCH OF THE PERIOD. A WEAK WAVE TRIES TO DROP IN THURS NGT...BUT NOT IMPRESSED AT TRACK OR MSTR POTENTIAL WITH IT SO WILL KEEP FORECAST DRY. FRONT SHOULD REMAIN MAINLY SOUTH OF THE AREA INTO SATURDAY ALLOWING FOR A RETURN TO COOLER CONDITIONS. INTERESTING SETUP STILL ON TRACK FOR THIS WEEKEND AND INTO THE FIRST PART OF NEXT WEEK AS FRONT BEGINS TO RETURN NORTH AS RIDGE MOVES NE OF THE AREA. GOOD OVERRUNNING SETUP POSSIBLY TO TRANSPIRE...BUT LOCATION OF UPPER LEVEL RIDGE AND TRACKS OF THE TROPICAL SYSTEMS BEING MONITORED COULD PLACE SOME ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES IN TERMS OF DEGREE OF MSTR...ETC IN PLACE. SEVERAL WAVES MOVING THROUGH THE FLOW SHOULD ALLOW AT LEAST CHC FOR CONVECTION SO WILL MAINTAIN POPS AND FOR COLLABORATION PURPOSES HAVE EXTENDED POPS INTO MONDAY. POPS MAY NEED TO BE EXTENDED BEYOND THIS...BUT WITH SO MUCH UNCERTANTITY WITH THINGS DON/T WANT TO MAKE MORE CHANGES THAN HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE. && WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IN...NONE. MI...NONE. OH...NONE. LM...NONE. && SHORT TERM...HOLSTEN LONG TERM....FISHER AVIATION...MURPHY
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA 529 AM EDT WED AUG 15 2007 INZ003>009-012>018-MIZ077>081-OHZ001-002-004-005-160930- LA PORTE-ST. JOSEPH IN-ELKHART-LAGRANGE-STEUBEN-NOBLE-DE KALB-STARKE- PULASKI-MARSHALL-FULTON IN-KOSCIUSKO-WHITLEY-ALLEN IN-BERRIEN- CASS MI-ST. JOSEPH MI-BRANCH-HILLSDALE-WILLIAMS-FULTON OH-DEFIANCE- HENRY- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MICHIGAN CITY...LA PORTE...SOUTH BEND... MISHAWAKA...ELKHART...GOSHEN...LAGRANGE...TOPEKA...ANGOLA... KENDALLVILLE...LIGONIER...AUBURN...GARRETT...KNOX...NORTH JUDSON... WINAMAC...FRANCESVILLE...PLYMOUTH...BREMEN...ROCHESTER...WARSAW... WINONA LAKE...COLUMBIA CITY...SOUTH WHITLEY...FORT WAYNE...NILES... BENTON HARBOR...ST. JOSEPH...BUCHANAN...DOWAGIAC...CASSOPOLIS... STURGIS...THREE RIVERS...COLDWATER...HILLSDALE...BRYAN... MONTPELIER...WAUSEON...ARCHBOLD...DEFIANCE...NAPOLEON 529 AM EDT WED AUG 15 2007 /429 AM CDT WED AUG 15 2007/ THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT THERE IS A CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS TODAY. A FEW OF THE STRONGER STORMS MAY CONTAIN GUSTY WINDS OR SMALL HAIL. THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY TONIGHT. SOME OF THE STORMS MAY BECOME SEVERE WITH DAMAGING WINDS AND LARGE HAIL. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY THERE IS A CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY AND AGAIN SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED TONIGHT. && STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES...OR CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT WEATHER.GOV/IWX INZ020-022>027-032>034-OHZ015-016-024-025-160930- WHITE-CASS IN-MIAMI-WABASH-HUNTINGTON-WELLS-ADAMS-GRANT-BLACKFORD- JAY-PAULDING-PUTNAM-VAN WERT-ALLEN OH- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MONTICELLO...BROOKSTON...LOGANSPORT... PERU...WABASH...NORTH MANCHESTER...HUNTINGTON...BLUFFTON...OSSIAN... DECATUR...BERNE...MARION...HARTFORD CITY...MONTPELIER...PORTLAND... PAULDING...ANTWERP...OTTAWA...PANDORA...VAN WERT...DELPHOS...LIMA 529 AM EDT WED AUG 15 2007 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHWEST OHIO AND NORTHERN INDIANA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT THERE IS A CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS TODAY. A FEW OF THE STRONGER STORMS MAY CONTAIN GUSTY WINDS OR SMALL HAIL. THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY TONIGHT. SOME OF THE STORMS MAY BECOME SEVERE WITH DAMAGING WINDS AND LARGE HAIL. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY THERE IS A CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY AND AGAIN SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY. SOME OF THE STORMS THURSDAY MAY BECOME SEVERE AND PRODUCE LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED TONIGHT AND AGAIN ON THURSDAY. && STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES...OR CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT WEATHER.GOV/IWX LMZ043-046-061-160930- NEW BUFFALO MI TO ST JOSEPH MI-MICHIGAN CITY IN TO NEW BUFFALO MI- MICHIGAN CITY IN TO ST JOSEPH MI OUT TO MID LAKE- 529 AM EDT WED AUG 15 2007 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN LAKE MICHIGAN. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT THERE IS A CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS TODAY. A FEW OF THE STRONGER STORMS MAY CONTAIN GUSTY WINDS OR SMALL HAIL. THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY TONIGHT. SOME OF THE STORMS MAY BECOME SEVERE WITH DAMAGING WINDS AND LARGE HAIL. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY THERE IS A CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY AND AGAIN SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER...SOME OF THE STRONGER STORMS MAY PRODUCE WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 30 KNOTS. && STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES...OR CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT WEATHER.GOV/IWX JC
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA 920 PM EDT WED AUG 15 2007 INZ003-004-MIZ077-078-160145- BERRIEN-CASS-LA PORTE-ST. JOSEPH- 920 PM EDT WED AUG 15 2007 ...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT... AT 920 PM EDT(820 PM CDT)...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM SHOREWOOD-TOWER HILLS TO 25 MILES WEST OF WESTVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH. WINDS UP TO 35 MPH...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...AND VERY HEAVY DOWNPOURS...ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS. LOCATIONS IN THE PATH INCLUDE MICHIGAN CITY...LA PORTE...BARODA...STEVENSVILLE...NEW CARLISLE...BERRIEN SPRINGS...EAU CLAIRE...DAYTON...SPRINGVILLE...NILES AND SOUTH BEND. GUSTY WINDS MAY CAUSE SMALL BRANCHES TO BE BLOWN DOWN...AND LOOSE OBJECTS TO BLOW AROUND. STAY AWAY FROM HIGH OBJECTS OUTDOORS SUCH AS TREES. MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION IF HEAVY RAINFALL IS ENCOUNTERED. SEEK SHELTER IN A STURDY STRUCTURE UNTIL THESE STORMS HAVE PASSED. JC
The Chicago radar (KLOT), 101 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:18 UTC.
14 thunderstorm wind, 7 hail, 1 tornado, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
Several trees were blown down in and around Michigan City.
Eight power poles stretching approximately a half mile, were blown over or snapped along US 421 south of Lacrosse. One of these poles landed on a car, minor damage. Numerous trees and tree limbs were also reported down.
Several trees and tree limbs were blown down along US-421.
The initial touchdown of the tornado was located a large grove of trees along Maple Rd. west of Argos and proceeded rapidly southeast to the southeast side of Argos. The tornado skipped along its track, snapping and uprooting numerous trees, downing power poles and lines and damaging some structures. Two businesses on the south side of Argos, near the intersection of US 31 and State Rd 10 suffered moderate damage. The roof of the Topp Industries plant suffered damage. A McDonalds/BP Station suffered metal siding and roofing damage along with the removal of a few gas pumps. A stationary police cruiser was spun by a combination of the strong winds and a sign post striking the car. Neither the officer, nor anyone else in the path of the tornado was injured. The tornado lifted southeast of this point. Exact damage figures were not available, but are estimated to be at least $500,000.
Numerous trees, tree limbs and power lines were blown down in and around Culver. Several of the trees and limbs fell onto houses or a few businesses. Damage in the area is estimated at $250,000.
Trees and tree limbs were blown down onto two mobile homes and a house, as well as several local roads. Damage is estimated at $25,000.
Several trees and tree limbs were reported down.
Numerous trees were blown down, with 2 houses suffering damage as well as the rear windows of a minivan being broken out.
Golf ball size hail was reported at the intersection of US-31 and US-24.
Several trees and tree limbs were reported down in and around Rochester.
A 14 inch diameter tree down on 6th street and several 8 to 10 inch diameter trees along Daniels Street in Peru.
A 10 to 12 inch tree branch was blown down.
Numerous reports of trees and power lines down across the county.
Numerous trees, tree limbs and power lines down across the city and parts of the county. At least one tree fell onto an unoccupied vehicle. Winds were estimated by spotters at around 80 mph.
A few trees were reported down in Geneva, near the Jay county line.
A home suffered severe structural damage from a fallen tree. Other trees were blown down in and around Salamonia as well as near the intersection of 200 N and 300 W. A few branches fell onto power lines. Damage is estimated at $75,000.
Lightning struck a house in the 5300 block of E 100 S in Portland. Heavy damage was reported to the upstairs. A County deputy was able to awake the residents and get them to safety. Damage is estimated at $50,000.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2007Every state in 2007This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Indiana, 2007Warnings in Indiana, August 2007
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: 57805, 57809, 57815, 57781, 57803, 57786, 57837, 57790, 57839, 57855, 57861, 57792, 57873, 57793, 57892, 57898, 57794, 57795, 57928, 57933, 57900, 57911, 57921.