A powerful cold front moved rapidly southeast across southwest Indiana during the late afternoon hours. An organized line of severe thunderstorms developed along the front as it approached southern Illinois, then swept east across southwest Indiana.
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 PAH wrote it up.
A powerful cold front moved rapidly southeast across southwest Indiana during the late afternoon hours. An organized line of severe thunderstorms developed along the front as it approached southern Illinois, then swept east across southwest Indiana. Widespread damaging winds accompanied the line of storms. Temperatures fell about 30 degrees in less than one hour when the very strong cold front passed through.
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 Paducah, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 29, 4:13 PM CST, 50 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED FOR HIGH WIND WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY 413 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2008 .DISCUSSION... THREE SYSTEMS OVER THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS WITH MANY CHALLENGES...SO WILL TRY NOT TO GET TOO VERBOSE. INTENSE COLD FRONT JUST INSIDE THE NORTHERN AND WESTERN PORTIONS OF OUR CWA AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING. EXPECT A SQUALL LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TO DEVELOP ALONG OR IMMEDIATELY AHEAD OF THE FRONT AND CROSS OUR CWA THROUGH THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON AND INTO THE EARLY AFTERNOON HOURS. EXPECT THE FRONT AND THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER TO EXIT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF OUR CWA BETWEEN 7 AND 8 PM. TEMPERATURES AND DEWPOINTS WILL DROP OFF SHARPLY BEHIND THE FRONT...AND PRECIP WILL LIKELY CHANGE OVER TO SNOW BEFORE ENDING BY MIDNIGHT WITH ONLY A DUSTING EXPECTED. NOT MUCH TIME IN BETWEEN THIS SYSTEM AND THE NEXT. MODELS BRINGING SYSTEM NUMBER TWO INTO THE REGION ON THURSDAY. AGAIN THE TRACK AND TIMING OF THE SYSTEM WILL MAKE ALL OF THE DIFFERENCE WHEN IT COMES TO SNOW POTENTIAL WITH THIS SYSTEM. GFS AND ECMWF KEEP THE SFC LOW A BIT FURTHER SOUTH AND EAST THAN THE NAM. THIS SCENARIO WOULD OBVIOUSLY YIELD A COLDER SOLUTION AND THUS A BETTER CHANCE FOR SNOW. ASSUMING THE STORM TAKES THE MORE SOUTHERLY TRACK...PRECIP SHOULD START OUT AS A MIX OVER THE NORTHERN AND WESTERN SECTIONS AND REMAIN A MIX THROUGHOUT THE DAY THERE WITH ALL LIQUID ELSEWHERE. EASTWARD PROGRESSION OF THE CHANGEOVER TO SNOW WILL BEGIN THURSDAY EVENING...AND ALL SNOW ACROSS THE ENTIRE CWA AFTER MIDNIGHT. BY 12Z FRIDAY COULD SEE 2-4 INCHES OF SNOW ACROSS ALL OF OF OUR CWA EXCEPT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER. EXPECT LIGHT SNOW TO FLURRIES ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE SYSTEM ON FRIDAY...BUT LITTLE TO NO ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATION EXPECTED. NEXT SYSTEM TO MOVE INTO THE REGION SUNDAY NIGHT. CURRENT INDICATIONS ARE THAT THIS EVENT WILL REMAIN ALL LIQUID. THE COLD FRONT WITH THIS SYSTEM WILL CROSS THE REGION ON TUESDAY. EXPECT LIGHT PRECIP TO LINGER BEHIND THE FRONT INTO TUESDAY EVENING. 1000-850 THICKNESS VALUES WOULD INDICATE A CHANGEOVER TO LIGHT SNOW TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING...BUT SURFACE TEMPERATURES ARE FORECAST TO BE TOO WARM. WILL LIKELY HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AS WE DRAW NEARER TO THIS EVENT. && .AVIATION... CLEAR SLOT OVER CENTRAL MISSOURI IS ALLOWING FOR SUBSTANTIAL SURFACE HEATING IN THAT AREA LATE THIS MORNING. 60 DEGREE DEW POINTS EXTENDED UP TO CENTRAL ARKANSAS BY 16Z. THIS WILL FAVOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOW TOPPED CONVECTION ALONG THE VERY SHARP COLD FRONT THIS AFTERNOON...LIKELY OVER SE MISSOURI. PER SPC MCD...THE FORECAST AREA WILL BE UPGRADED TO MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE SHORTLY. FORECAST WAS UPDATED FOR SOMEWHAT WARMER TEMPS AND HIGHER DEW POINTS...MAINLY OVER SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS. THIS IS THE REGION WHERE SOME SUN IS EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AS THE DRY SLOT EDGES EASTWARD. TIMING OF THE ARRIVAL OF COLD AIR WAS PUSHED BACK JUST A FEW HOURS...SO MENTION OF SNOW FOR THIS AFTERNOON WAS TRIMMED BACK A COUPLE COUNTIES. && .PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... KY...HIGH WIND WARNING ALL COUNTIES TIL 06Z WEDNESDAY MO...HIGH WIND WARNING ALL COUNTIES TIL 06Z WEDNESDAY IL...HIGH WIND WARNING ALL COUNTIES TIL 06Z WEDNESDAY IN...HIGH WIND WARNING ALL COUNTIES TIL 06Z WEDNESDAY && PUBLIC...JP AVIATION...MY
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY 422 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2008 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-301045- JEFFERSON-WAYNE IL-EDWARDS-WABASH-PERRY IL-FRANKLIN-HAMILTON- WHITE-JACKSON-WILLIAMSON-SALINE-GALLATIN-UNION IL-JOHNSON-POPE- HARDIN-ALEXANDER-PULASKI-MASSAC-GIBSON-PIKE-POSEY-VANDERBURGH- WARRICK-SPENCER-FULTON-HICKMAN-CARLISLE-BALLARD-MCCRACKEN-GRAVES- LIVINGSTON-MARSHALL-CALLOWAY-CRITTENDEN-LYON-TRIGG-CALDWELL- UNION KY-WEBSTER-HOPKINS-CHRISTIAN-HENDERSON-DAVIESS-MCLEAN- MUHLENBERG-TODD-PERRY MO-BOLLINGER-CAPE GIRARDEAU-WAYNE MO-CARTER-RIPLEY-BUTLER-STODDARD-SCOTT-MISSISSIPPI-NEW MADRID- 422 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2008 ...MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS...SOUTHWEST INDIANA...WESTERN KENTUCKY AND SOUTHEAST MISSOURI. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM LATE AFTERNOON INTO EARLY THIS EVENING WITH THE PASSAGE OF A STRONG COLD FRONT. SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT IS LIKELY ALONG AND JUST AHEAD OF THIS BOUNDARY THROUGH THE EARLY EVENING HOURS. THIS ACTIVITY IS EXPECTED TO RACE ACROSS THE REGION AT CLOSE TO 70 MPH. THE FRONT AND STORMS WILL LEAVE THE REGION BETWEEN 600 PM AND 700 PM THIS EVENING. THE PRIMARY THREAT WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS DUE TO POWERFUL WINDS ALOFT...HOWEVER LARGE HAIL AND AN ISOLATED TORNADO ALSO POSSIBLE. STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS WILL PERSIST OUTSIDE OF THE THUNDERSTORMS FOR MOST OF TODAY AND TONIGHT. WINDS WILL BE OUT OF THE SOUTHWEST SHIFTING TO THE NORTHWEST WITH THE FRONTAL PASSAGE. WINDS WILL AVERAGE 30 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 50 MPH LIKELY...AND UP TO 65 TO 70 MPH POSSIBLE. A HIGH WIND WARNING IS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT. REFER TO THE HIGH WIND WARNING FOR MORE DETAILS. ONCE THE FRONT MOVES THROUGH...SHARPLY COLDER AIR WILL QUICKLY DROP TEMPERATURES INTO THE UPPER 20S AND LOWER 30S BY 900 PM. WIND CHILLS ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN THE TEENS BY LATER THIS EVENING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY THERE IS A CHANCE OF LIGHT WINTRY ACCUMULATIONS OF SNOW OR ICE THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY THIS EVENING. PS/JAP
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
446 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2008
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0430 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 N FAIRFIELD 38.41N 88.37W
01/29/2008 WAYNE IL LAW ENFORCEMENT
ROOFS BLOWN OFF OF HOMES AND OTHER BUILDINGS.
&&
SMITTYPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
449 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2008
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0447 PM TSTM WND DMG MONKEYS EYEBROW 37.19N 88.99W
01/29/2008 BALLARD KY TRAINED SPOTTER
LARGE LIMBS AND TREES DOWN THROUGHOUT THE AREA.
&&
SMITTYPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
458 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2008
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0457 PM HAIL MOUNT CARMEL 38.42N 87.77W
01/29/2008 E0.50 INCH WABASH IL TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
SMITTYPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
459 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2008
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0430 PM NON-TSTM WND DMG CAIRO 37.00N 89.18W
01/29/2008 ALEXANDER IL BROADCAST MEDIA
ROOF BLOWN OFF OF CHURCH ASSOCIATED WITH FRONTAL PASSAGE.
&&
SMITTYPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
501 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2008
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0350 PM HAIL CAPE GIRARDEAU 37.31N 89.55W
01/29/2008 M0.88 INCH CAPE GIRARDEAU MO TRAINED SPOTTER
LATE REPORT. NICKLE SIZE HAIL. UTILITY POLE DOWN ALONG
WITH LARGE TREE LIMBS.
&&
SMITTYPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
502 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2008
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0350 PM TSTM WND GST CAPE GIRARDEAU 37.31N 89.55W
01/29/2008 E80 MPH CAPE GIRARDEAU MO TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
SMITTYThe Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 24 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:03 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado, 2 hail, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
Winds were estimated around 60 mph by an amateur radio operator in Poseyville. Around the county, at least 22 homes received some type of damage. Most of the damage was to roofs. Just south of New Harmony, a semi was blown over.
A mobile home was destroyed. Two occupants of the mobile home were killed. Numerous trees were uprooted. One barn was destroyed, along with some small sheds. Four barns, three houses, and one church were damaged. The damage was mostly to roofs. Peak winds were estimated near 120 mph. The average path width was estimated to be 80 yards. The tornado continued into extreme southern Gibson County.
The tornado entered southern Gibson County from northern Posey County. Damage consisted mostly of downed trees and a few damaged barns and sheds. Peak winds were estimated near 120 mph. The average path width was about 80 yards.
Many homes around the county sustained some type of wind damage, mostly minor. At least two homes had roofs blown off, including one in Fort Branch and one near Oakland City. A church in Johnson was partially unroofed. A single wide mobile home just west of Johnson was overturned. A line of utility poles went down in Fort Branch, leaving the entire town without power. The ticket booth, concession stand, bleachers, and light towers were damaged at a high school. In Princeton, a tree fell across a main street and onto a vehicle. Near Oakland City, one house was destroyed. Several other houses and a barn had roof damage. A turkey farm received major damage, where over 2,000 turkeys, a brooder house, and a garage were destroyed. Indiana Route 57 was closed four miles north of the Indiana 64 junction because of downed power lines. About 15 people spent the night at a Red Cross shelter in Fort Branch.
Numerous buildings around the county sustained mostly minor damage, such as shingles blown off. Several reports of wind gusts from 60 to 75 mph were received. At the Evansville airport, a gust to 71 mph was measured by the automated surface observing system. Sustained winds were clocked at 52 mph. The highest estimated gust was 75 mph in the northwest part of the county, reported by a trained spotter. In Evansville, a gust to 60 mph was measured on the west side of the city, and a gust to 63 mph was measured on the southeast side. Numerous trees and power lines were down. A semi was blown over, and roofs were blown completely off two homes. An elementary school sustained considerable roof damage. North of St. Wendel, a pole barn, hay barn, implement shed, and a grain bin were destroyed. Minor damage occurred to tractors and farm equipment. A pole barn in the exact same place was destroyed just a few years earlier, in 2004.
At least seven homes across the county sustained damage. The most severe house damage occurred in the Coe area. A two-car garage was destroyed, with debris blown onto Highway 61. Pieces of the garage were blown through the roof of the house. A central air conditioning unit was blown off its pad. A house next door lost part of its roof. A pole barn was blown apart near Cato. Across the county, a large number of trees were blown down. At least 15 roads were impassable at one point, including State Highway 56. Near Winslow, a tree was blown onto a house with damage to the front of the home. Schools were closed the following day.
Traffic signals and signs were blown down.
The funnel cloud was reported along Highway 66 and Edwards St.
Countywide, trees and power lines were down. Minor structural damage occurred, with damage to roofs and outbuildings.
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, Posey | 2008-01-29 | 83 | Female | Mobile/Trailer Home | Direct |
| Tornado, Posey | 2008-01-29 | 57 | Female | Mobile/Trailer Home | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2008Every state in 2008This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Indiana, 2008Warnings in Indiana, January 2008
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: 70099, 70095, 70096, 70103, 70100, 70104, 72545, 70101, 70098, 70097, 70102.