An area of convection ahead of a strong cold front produced heavy rain across parts of the Ohio Valley during the morning hours. As a result, some flooding occurred across southern Ohio during the late morning and early afternoon hours.
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 ILN wrote it up.
An area of convection ahead of a strong cold front produced heavy rain across parts of the Ohio Valley during the morning hours. As a result, some flooding occurred across southern Ohio during the late morning and early afternoon hours. Isolated severe weather also occurred in one of these storms. The main threats from these storms were heavy rainfall and damaging thunderstorm winds.
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 Wilmington, OH wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 17, 10:07 AM EST, 1 hour 11 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH 1007 AM EST TUE JAN 17 2012 .SYNOPSIS... A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL MOVE ACROSS THE REGION THIS AFTERNOON. HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD INTO THE REGION FOR WEDNESDAY...FOLLOWED BY A CHANCE OF SNOW WITH AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE ON THURSDAY. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TO MOVE ACROSS THE REGION. THESE WILL PUSH THROUGH THE FORECAST AREA DURING THE AFTERNOON WITH A FAIRLY SHARP CUT OFF. COLD FRONT WILL FOLLOW A FEW HOURS AFTER THE PRECIPITATION ENDS WITH TEMPERATURES FALLING LATE IN THE DAY. CANNOT RULE OUT SOME ADDITIONAL SHOWERS WRAPPING BACK INTO THE NORTHWEST ZONES LATE THIS AFTERNOON INTO THE EVENING. AND IF ANYTHING OCCURS THERE IT SHOULD CHANGE OVER TO SNOW SHOWERS ALTHOUGH THOSE WOULD BE LIGHT. WIND GUSTS WILL PICK UP WITH THE COLD AIR ADVECTION ALTHOUGH LATEST GUIDANCE AS WELL AS TRENDS UPSTREAM SUGGEST THAT GUSTINESS MAY BE A LITTLE LESS THAN EARLIER FORECAST. WINDS WILL GRADUALLY DIMINISH OVERNIGHT. COULD BE A FEW BREAKS IN THE CLOUDS ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHWEST COUNTIES. BUT FOR THE MOST PART EXPECT CLOUDS TO PREVAIL THROUGH THE PERIOD. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... A BRIEF HIGH PRESSURE RESPITE ON WEDNESDAY WILL GIVE WAY TO ANOTHER FRONTAL BOUNDARY PUSHING ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES ON THURSDAY. COOL AMBIENT CONDITIONS WILL GIVE WAY TO COLDER AIR BEHIND THE FRONT...WITH THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PRECIPITATION WITH THIS SYSTEM EXPECTED TO FALL AS SNOW. MADE FEW CHANGES TO THE FORECAST WITH THIS SYSTEM...ASIDE FROM SOME NON-DIURNAL TWEAKS TO THE TEMPERATURE CURVES. THERE IS NOT A LOT OF MOISTURE FOR THIS SYSTEM TO WORK WITH...SO SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATIONS ARE NOT EXPECTED. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... A STRONGER SHORT WAVE WILL MOVE OUT OF THE CENTRAL PLAINS ON FRIDAY AND PUSH ACROSS OUR AREA FRIDAY NIGHT. THIS SYSTEM WILL BE ABLE TO TAP INTO SOME BETTER MOISTURE FROM THE SOUTH. THE 12Z GFS REMAINS A LITTLE FASTER WITH THIS SYSTEM COMPARED TO THE 12Z ECMWF...AND WILL TREND THE FORECAST SOMEWHAT THAT WAY GIVEN FAIRLY PROGRESSIVE WESTERLY FLOW. EITHER WAY THOUGH...IT LOOKS LIKE BEST CHANCE FOR PCPN WILL BE FRIDAY NIGHT. WITH ITS SOMEWHAT SLOWER SOLUTION...THE ECMWF IS BRINGING SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES AHEAD OF THE SYSTEM WHICH WOULD LEAD TO MORE RAIN WITH THIS SYSTEM. MEANWHILE...THE GFS IS INDICATING MORE SNOW...ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE NORTH. GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTY WILL GENERALLY KEEP PCPN AS A RAIN/SNOW MIX. MID AND UPPER LEVEL RIDGING WILL BUILD ACROSS THE EASTERN UNITED STATES THROUGH THE WEEKEND...LEADING TO DRYING CONDITIONS AND SEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES. SHORT WAVE ENERGY MOVING OUT OF THE PLAINS WILL PUSH INTO THE RIDGE BY MONDAY WHICH COULD ALLOW FOR A CHANCE OF SHOWERS TOWARD THE END OF THE LONG TERM PERIOD. && .AVIATION /15Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE ACROSS THE TERMINALS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS. MAIN THUNDER IMPACTS WILL BE IN THE CINCINNATI AREA THROUGH 17Z. BUT CANNOT RULE OUT AN ISOLATED STORM ELSEWHERE. CONVECTIVE LINE WILL RESULT IN A BRIEF REDUCTION TO IFR CONDITIONS. IN ADDITION THERE WILL BE A TEMPORARY WIND SHIFT WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 KT. LATEST TRENDS SUGGEST THAT PRECIPITATION WILL MOVE EAST OF THE TAF SITES A BIT FASTER THAN EARLIER EXPECTED. THERE WILL BE A FEW HOURS BETWEEN THE SHOWERS ENDING AND THE PASSAGE OF A COLD FRONT. DURING THIS TIME WINDS WILL START TO VEER TO THE SOUTHWEST WITH SOME MINOR GUSTS. THERE WILL BE PATCHES OF MVFR CEILINGS. THE FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH LATER IN THE DAY WITH SOLID MVFR CEILINGS PROBABLY DROPPING BELOW 2000 FT AND GUSTS UP TO 30 KT. FOR THE OVERNIGHT HOURS TONIGHT...LOW PRESSURE WILL MOVE TO THE UPPER REACHES OF THE SAINT LAWRENCE VALLEY BY 12Z WEDNESDAY. THIS WILL ALLOW SFC HIGH PRESSURE TO BUILD INTO THE OHIO VALLEY. WRAP AROUND MOISTURE IN THE CAA WILL CAUSE STRATOCUMULUS CLOUDS TO LINGER...BUT THEY ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN THE VFR CATEGORY AT THIS TIME. WINDS WILL BECOME MORE NW AND DIMINISH BY MORNING AS THE PRESSURE GRADIENT BEGINS TO RELAX. OUTLOOK...MVFR CEILINGS AND VISIBILITIES POSSIBLE THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. && .ILN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OH...NONE. KY...NONE. IN...NONE. && SYNOPSIS... NEAR TERM... SHORT TERM...HATZOS LONG TERM...JGL AVIATION...
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH 440 AM EST TUE JAN 17 2012 INZ050-058-059-066-073>075-080-KYZ089>100-OHZ026-034-035-042>046- 051>056-060>065-070>074-077>082-088-180945- WAYNE-FAYETTE IN-UNION IN-FRANKLIN IN-RIPLEY-DEARBORN-OHIO- SWITZERLAND-CARROLL-GALLATIN-BOONE-KENTON-CAMPBELL-OWEN-GRANT- PENDLETON-BRACKEN-ROBERTSON-MASON-LEWIS-HARDIN-MERCER-AUGLAIZE-DARKE- SHELBY-LOGAN-UNION OH-DELAWARE-MIAMI-CHAMPAIGN-CLARK-MADISON- FRANKLIN OH-LICKING-PREBLE-MONTGOMERY-GREENE-FAYETTE OH-PICKAWAY- FAIRFIELD-BUTLER-WARREN-CLINTON-ROSS-HOCKING-HAMILTON-CLERMONT-BROWN- HIGHLAND-ADAMS-PIKE-SCIOTO- 440 AM EST TUE JAN 17 2012 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST CENTRAL INDIANA...SOUTHEAST INDIANA...NORTHEAST KENTUCKY...NORTHERN KENTUCKY...CENTRAL OHIO...MIAMI VALLEY OF OHIO...SOUTH CENTRAL OHIO...SOUTHWEST OHIO AND WEST CENTRAL OHIO. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON...BEFORE A COLD FRONT PUSHES IN FROM THE WEST. WHILE SEVERE WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED...SOME STRONG WIND GUSTS AND SMALL HAIL WILL BE POSSIBLE. GUSTY WINDS OF 30 TO 35 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE BOTH IN AND OUTSIDE OF THUNDERSTORMS. IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE COLD FRONT...WESTERLY WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 45 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. WHILE DETAILS ARE UNCERTAIN AT THIS POINT...A STORM SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH THE REGION ON FRIDAY NIGHT WILL BRING THE POSSIBILITY OF A MIX OF SNOW...SLEET...AND FREEZING RAIN. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. HATZOS
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
1009 AM EST TUE JAN 17 2012
INZ066-073-074-KYZ091>093-OHZ070-077-171545-
FRANKLIN IN-DEARBORN IN-RIPLEY IN-KENTON KY-BOONE KY-CAMPBELL KY-
BUTLER OH-HAMILTON OH-
1009 AM EST TUE JAN 17 2012
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT HAMILTON...SOUTHERN
BUTLER...NORTHERN CAMPBELL...BOONE...NORTHERN KENTON...RIPLEY...
DEARBORN AND SOUTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES THROUGH 1045 AM EST...
AT 1006 AM EST...RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE
EXTENDING FROM LAWRENCEVILLE TO MILAN TO HOLTON...MOVING EAST AT 40
MPH.
WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH AND PEA SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE
STORMS.
SOME LOCATIONS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED INCLUDE...VERSAILLES...MILAN...
MOORES HILL...HARRISON...BRIGHT...ROSS...AURORA...LAWRENCEBURG...
FAIRFIELD...GREENDALE...HIDDEN VALLEY AND FOREST PARK.
LAT...LON 3907 8545 3915 8527 3934 8501 3933 8435
3929 8435 3929 8428 3925 8428 3922 8432
3920 8429 3904 8432 3901 8545PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
1042 AM EST TUE JAN 17 2012
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1021 AM FLOOD OSGOOD 39.13N 85.29W
01/17/2012 RIPLEY IN OTHER FEDERAL
STREET FLOODING IS OCCURRING IN TOWN.
&&
ANOVAKPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
1048 AM EST TUE JAN 17 2012
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1033 AM FLOOD MILAN 39.13N 85.13W
01/17/2012 RIPLEY IN OTHER FEDERAL
BASEMENTS ARE FLOODING IN MILAN.
&&
ANOVAKSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
1048 AM EST TUE JAN 17 2012
KYZ091>093-OHZ071-072-077>080-171615-
KENTON KY-BOONE KY-CAMPBELL KY-BROWN OH-CLINTON OH-HAMILTON OH-
WARREN OH-CLERMONT OH-HIGHLAND OH-
1048 AM EST TUE JAN 17 2012
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT WESTERN HIGHLAND...
CLERMONT...SOUTHERN WARREN...EASTERN HAMILTON...SOUTHWESTERN
CLINTON...NORTHERN BROWN...CAMPBELL...BOONE AND KENTON COUNTIES
THROUGH 1115 AM EST...
AT 1048 AM EST...RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE
EXTENDING FROM MAINEVILLE TO BELLEVUE TO WATERLOO...MOVING EAST AT 45
MPH.
WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH AND PEA SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE
STORMS.
SOME LOCATIONS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED INCLUDE...VILLA HILLS...
LOVELAND...MADEIRA...DAYTON...BELLEVUE...CRESCENT SPRINGS...
OAKBROOK...PARK HILLS...NEWPORT...MARIEMONT...FORT MITCHELL AND
LAKESIDE PARK.
LAT...LON 3910 8466 3933 8427 3931 8351 3902 8364
3902 8368 3890 8369 3894 8483SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
1050 AM EST TUE JAN 17 2012
INZ080-KYZ089-090-094-171615-
SWITZERLAND IN-OWEN KY-CARROLL KY-GALLATIN KY-
1050 AM EST TUE JAN 17 2012
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT GALLATIN...CARROLL...NORTHERN
OWEN AND SWITZERLAND COUNTIES THROUGH 1115 AM EST...
AT 1048 AM EST...RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 5 MILES
NORTHWEST OF LOCUST...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.
WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
SOME LOCATIONS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED INCLUDE...CARROLLTON...VEVAY AND
WARSAW.
LAT...LON 3875 8530 3874 8526 3870 8521 3886 8521
3887 8481 3863 8477 3866 8527 3872 8533
3874 8534SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
1118 AM EST TUE JAN 17 2012
KYZ093-OHZ072-073-078>081-171645-
CAMPBELL KY-ADAMS OH-BROWN OH-CLINTON OH-ROSS OH-CLERMONT OH-
HIGHLAND OH-
1118 AM EST TUE JAN 17 2012
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT HIGHLAND...SOUTHERN
CLERMONT...SOUTHWESTERN ROSS...SOUTHERN CLINTON...BROWN...
NORTHWESTERN ADAMS AND CAMPBELL COUNTIES THROUGH 1145 AM EST...
AT 1118 AM EST...RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE
EXTENDING FROM LYNCHBURG TO WILLIAMSBURG TO ASPEN GROVE...MOVING EAST
AT 40 MPH.
WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH AND PEA SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE
STORMS.
SOME LOCATIONS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED INCLUDE...WILLIAMSBURG...
LYNCHBURG...BETHEL...MOUNT ORAB...HILLSBORO...SARDINIA...
WINCHESTER...SEAMAN...MARSHALL...GEORGETOWN AND BELFAST.
LAT...LON 3889 8444 3908 8411 3930 8383 3928 8326
3919 8333 3919 8336 3915 8336 3901 8347
3882 8371The Cincinnati radar (KILN), 67 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:17 UTC.
7 flood, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Several inches of standing water due to heavy rain was reported on Jefferson Avenue near Daniels Street.
Portions of Wooster Pike closed due to high water caused by heavy rain.
Portions of Harrison Avenue were closed due to high water caused by heavy rain.
High water due to heavy rain was reported on Interstate 71 near Interstate 275.
High water due to heavy rain was reported over Irwin-Simpson Road.
Several trees were reported down and roof damage occurred due to damaging thunderstorm winds.
A bridge was reported to have several inches of water running over it due to heavy rain.
United States Highway 50 between William Howard Taft Road and Delta Avenue was closed due to debris and high water caused by heavy rain.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Ohio in 2012Every state in 2012This day in weather historyWarnings in Ohio, January 2012
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: 361622, 361631, 361635, 361642, 361660, 361661, 361662, 361681.