Unseasonable warmth and rich Gulf moisture collided with an approaching surface low pressure system and cold front to produce several lines of strong to severe thunderstorms across southern Indiana. Damaging winds were the main threat, but hail was also reported.
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 LMK wrote it up.
Unseasonable warmth and rich Gulf moisture collided with an approaching surface low pressure system and cold front to produce several lines of strong to severe thunderstorms across southern Indiana. Damaging winds were the main threat, but hail was also reported. Intense torrential rainfall also fell which produced localized flash flooding issues.
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 Louisville, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 23, 2:56 PM EST, 7 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Louisville KY 256 PM EST WED DEC 23 2015 .SHORT TERM (Now through Thursday Night)... Issued at 248 PM EST Wed Dec 23 2015 ...Severe Thunderstorms With Damaging Winds and Tornadoes Late This Afternoon into this Evening... The synoptic pattern early this afternoon features a very amplified ridge off the eastern seaboard, with a trough sliding into the central CONUS. Within this trough, a negatively-tilted shortwave/PV anomaly was noted across portions of the Central Plains. This will slide into northeastern Canada through the period, helping to deepen a surface low over the Upper Midwest and drag an associated cold front through the Ohio Valley late tonight. All focus is on the severe weather threat starting now in southern IN, and likely to increase through the evening hours across the rest of Kentucky. Despite virtually no breaks in the cloud cover, temperatures have managed to climb into the mid and upper 60s across the region. While a few locations may creep to 70 later this afternoon/evening, think many areas will remain in the upper 60s. Therefore, our destabilization will have to take place via low-level moisture advection, which is ongoing across portions west TN. Here, dewpoints have risen into the mid 60s, which should advect northeast into central KY this evening. Therefore, despite limited insolation today, think we will have enough to push SBCAPEs in the 300-700 J/kg range, perhaps pushing 1000 J/kg across southern KY. Low-level shear parameters are very impressive given good low-level turning. Effective SRH values are in excess of 400 m2/s2 across western TN/eastern AR. Therefore, any storm will have the ability to rotate. The main complicating factor continues to be storm mode/coverage, and the effect the current QLCS moving through western KY/IL/IN will have on storm evolution this evening. The near term threat will come from this QLCS now pushing into southern IN/northern KY. Damaging winds and a few weak tornadoes will be possible with this activity as it pushes northeast. There is some question as to how far east into central KY this activity gets. The southern edge has recently slowed, thus do not expect it to cross portions of central KY. If indeed central KY remains in the clear from this first QLCS, then attention will turn to the southwest. Convection is beginning to fill in across portions of western TN/eastern AR, where supercells have begun to develop over the past hour or so within the exit region of a 110-knot upper-level jet streak. This activity should rapidly push northeast into south-central KY this evening. Storm mode with this round is a bit in question, but semi-discrete supercells will be possible especially in areas west of I-65 and to the south of where the current QLCS stalls. Coordinated with SPC on the Moderate Risk, thus like the current placement and the main emphasis on damaging winds (some in excess of 70 mph) and isolated tornadoes. Any strong tornado threat will hinge on storm mode once the convection makes it into southern KY, but a strong tornado cannot be ruled out across the southwestern CWA given very low LCLs (around 500m) and impressive low-level shear/helicities. All this activity will race east and will likely be out of the area by 5Z or so. Cooler and drier air will lag the cold front, so expect overnight lows to remain mild and highs on Thursday to still climb into the 60s. . .LONG TERM (Friday through Wednesday)... Issued at 255 PM EST Wed Dec 23 2015 ...Active Weather Continues Into Early Next Week, Heavy Rain Main Concern... Given the very active short term period, will leave the previous discussion in place. The main long term impact continues to be on the potential for heavy rainfall Friday into early next week. Still looks like 3 to locally 5 inches of rainfall will be possible during this timeframe, which may result in some flooding especially across the northern portions of the forecast area. Previous Discussion: Christmas Eve Night... We'll actually see a brief break in the action Christmas Eve night as the frontal boundary and deeper moisture feed are shunted off to the SE. Still some question as to how far SE this front will hang up given the strength of the Bermuda High. ECMWF continues to be an outlier during this time, bringing overrunning precipitation chances back into our region before dawn on Christmas Day. Will mention some chances mainly across south central KY toward dawn. Temps will be a bit cooler on the north side of this boundary, with upper 40s north to mid and upper 50s south. Christmas Day - Sunday... The overall pattern as we head through the holiday weekend will feature troughing across the western CONUS, and strong Bermuda High holding. We'll be under the SW flow aloft, which will help to continually pump deep moisture along a stalled frontal boundary waffling near our region. This will ultimately result in a very mild and very wet period of weather. Christmas Day continues to trend toward the wetter scenario as models generally agree on the warm front slowly lifting north over our region. Precipitation look to at least make it to the Ohio River by afternoon, then persisting into the overnight. The pattern then amplifies Saturday and Sunday as a SW CONUS cutoff low digs into the Rio Grande River Valley and SE Ridge responds. This will shift the focus of the frontogenetical rainfall more across southern Indiana where the bulk of the rainfall will fall through the weekend. This will also bring the warmer temps on the south side of the boundary with small diurnal ranges. This system will have plenty of moisture to work with as soundings show precipitable water values rising to 1.3-1.6 inches, generally over the 90th percentile for this time of year. Thus, rain could be moderate to heavy at times. Christmas Day highs should range in the upper 50s and low 60s north, to mid 60s south. Expect highs in the upper 60s and low 70s Saturday, with a slightly cooler Sunday as the front dips back down into our region a bit. Will still be mostly in the 60s. Lows during this time will be quite mild in the upper 50s and low 60s. Sunday Night - Tuesday... Confidence lowers during this time as models diverge on how quick the upper low ejects out of Texas into the Great Lakes. The models are playing into their typical biases, with the slower ECMWF holding onto the SW energy, and the GFS blasting it through. Actually like the ECMWF solution and its support from the GEM as the Bermuda Ridge could continue to play a factor in slow overall progress. So, depending on which solution, or some compromise between the two, occurs we'll either see a final strong surge of showers and storms on Monday or Tuesday. Will have to watch and see if another round of strong storms will be possible early next week as some instability could occur in the warm sector ahead of the passing front. Overall, data still suggest that around 3-5 inches of rain could fall between Christmas and Tuesday, with the bulk of it across southern Indiana. Given the amount of rainfall from recent days and the potential for periods of moderate to heavy rainfall, some minor flooding could become a concern. Still not overly confident given the subtle model variability with placement of frontogenetical precipitation. Will continue to monitor latest trends. Will also note that this active period of weather will likely push SDF and LEX higher on the standings of the all time wettest year. SDF ranks 9th as of Dec 21, and LEX ranks 14th. && .AVIATION (18Z TAF Update)... Updated at 1215 PM EST Wed Dec 23 2015 Now have a squall line entering southern Illinois. The edge of this line should stay just north of SDF, but we could see supercells develop along the lingering back edge that will affect at least the KBWG/KSDF terminals later this afternoon. Could see a line of storms develop/merge toward KLEX starting around 00Z. Have put in peak winds of 40s knots for KSDF/KBWG for now along with IFR conditions, but the winds could be stronger. Will amend TAFs as necessary this afternoon. Cold front driving this convection should push through the terminals late tonight, with conditions improving around daybreak Thursday. && .LMK Watches/Warnings/Advisories... KY...NONE. IN...NONE. && Short Term........KJD Long Term.........KJD Aviation..........RJS
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY 131 PM EST WED DEC 23 2015 INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023>034-038-045-053-061>063-070>072- 241845- ORANGE-WASHINGTON-SCOTT-JEFFERSON-DUBOIS-CRAWFORD-PERRY-HARRISON- FLOYD-CLARK-HANCOCK-BRECKINRIDGE-MEADE-OHIO-GRAYSON-HARDIN-BULLITT- OLDHAM-TRIMBLE-HENRY-SHELBY-SPENCER-NELSON-LARUE-BUTLER-EDMONSON- HART-LOGAN-WARREN-SIMPSON- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PAOLI...ORLEANS...FRENCH LICK...SALEM... SCOTTSBURG...AUSTIN...MADISON...JASPER...HUNTINGBURG...BROWNSTOWN... MILLTOWN...MARENGO...TELL CITY...CORYDON...NEW ALBANY... JEFFERSONVILLE...CLARKSVILLE...LEWISPORT...HAWESVILLE... HARDINSBURG...IRVINGTON...CLOVERPORT...BRANDENBURG...MULDRAUGH... BEAVER DAM...HARTFORD...LEITCHFIELD...ELIZABETHTOWN...RADCLIFF... FORT KNOX...MOUNT WASHINGTON...SHEPHERDSVILLE...HILLVIEW...BROOKS... LOUISVILLE...LA GRANGE...BUCKNER...CRESTWOOD...PEWEE VALLEY... BEDFORD...MILTON...EMINENCE...NEW CASTLE...PLEASUREVILLE... CAMPBELLSBURG...SHELBYVILLE...TAYLORSVILLE...BARDSTOWN... HODGENVILLE...MORGANTOWN...BROWNSVILLE...HORSE CAVE...MUNFORDVILLE... RUSSELLVILLE...BOWLING GREEN...FRANKLIN...PROVIDENCE 131 PM EST WED DEC 23 2015 /1231 PM CST WED DEC 23 2015/ ...TORNADO WATCH 560 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EST /8 PM CST/ THIS EVENING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. A STRONG STORM SYSTEM OVER THE PLAINS STATES WILL PUMP VERY WARM AND MOIST AIR INTO THE REGION TODAY. THE MAIN LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE THROUGH THE REGION BETWEEN 5PM AND MIDNIGHT EST. THESE THUNDERSTORMS WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE WIDESPREAD DAMAGING WINDS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES...WITH THE GREATEST TORNADO THREAT ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. SOME HEAVY RAINFALL MAY DEVELOP LATE FRIDAY THROUGH THE MONDAY AS A WARM FRONT LIFTS NORTHWARD ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA PRODUCING 2 TO 3 INCHES OF RAIN. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED THIS LATE AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. KYZ035>037-039>043-046>049-054>057-064>067-073>078-081-082-241845- FRANKLIN-SCOTT-HARRISON-ANDERSON-WOODFORD-FAYETTE-BOURBON-NICHOLAS- WASHINGTON-MERCER-JESSAMINE-CLARK-MARION-BOYLE-GARRARD-MADISON-GREEN- TAYLOR-CASEY-LINCOLN-ALLEN-BARREN-MONROE-METCALFE-ADAIR-RUSSELL- CUMBERLAND-CLINTON- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...FRANKFORT...GEORGETOWN...CYNTHIANA... LAWRENCEBURG...VERSAILLES...LEXINGTON...PARIS...CARLISLE... SPRINGFIELD...HARRODSBURG...NICHOLASVILLE...WILMORE...WINCHESTER... LEBANON...DANVILLE...LANCASTER...RICHMOND...BEREA...GREENSBURG... CAMPBELLSVILLE...LIBERTY...STANFORD...SCOTTSVILLE...GLASGOW... TOMPKINSVILLE...EDMONTON...COLUMBIA...RUSSELL SPRINGS...JAMESTOWN... SALEM...BURKESVILLE...ALBANY 131 PM EST WED DEC 23 2015 /1231 PM CST WED DEC 23 2015/ THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. A STRONG STORM SYSTEM OVER THE PLAINS STATES WILL PUMP VERY WARM AND MOIST AIR INTO THE REGION TODAY. THE MAIN LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE THROUGH THE REGION BETWEEN 7PM AND MIDNIGHT EST. THESE THUNDERSTORMS WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE WIDESPREAD DAMAGING WINDS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES...WITH THE GREATEST TORNADO THREAT ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. SOME HEAVY RAINFALL MAY DEVELOP LATE FRIDAY THROUGH THE MONDAY AS A WARM FRONT LIFTS NORTHWARD ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA PRODUCING 2 TO 3 INCHES OF RAIN. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED THIS LATE AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. KD
The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 70 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:05 UTC.
20 thunderstorm wind, 5 hail, 1 flood, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A 51 knot wind gust was reported from the mesonet station located at Jasper Middle School.
Local law enforcement reported to the NWS that severe thunderstorm winds brought down power lines on a car.
A trained spotter reported to the NWS a measured 50 knot wind gust.
The Dubois County emergency manager reported to the NWS that severe thunderstorm winds brought down power lines in the area.
The Orange County emergency manager reported to the NWS that severe thunderstorm winds severely damaged two barns.
Local law enforcement officials reported that power lines were down near Highway 37 near Orleans. Officials also reported that numerous trees were down elsewhere in Orange County.
An amateur radio operator reported that severe thunderstorm winds resulted in minor roof damage. In addition, severe winds lifted an aluminum carport off its foundation.
A public report was received via social media to the NWS of downed trees off Highway 60 near Salem.
A broadcast meteorologist replayed a report of numerous trees down across Washington County, particularly along Highway 56 near the Salem Airport.
The Floyd County emergency manager reported trees down on Reasor Road, Stiller Road and Scottsville Road due to severe thunderstorm winds.
The Jefferson County emergency manager reported to the NWS that several trees were down in the Hanover area due to severe thunderstorm winds.
The Crawford County emergency manager reported that several trees were down across roadways in the western part of the county.
Local law enforcement reported to the NWS that trees were downed due to severe thunderstorm winds over Shellflower Road.
Local law enforcement reported to the NWS that trees were knocked down over Thistle Road due to severe thunderstorm winds.
Local law enforcement officials reported to the NWS that trees fell down across Bacon Ridge Road.
Local law enforcement officials reported that trees fell down over power lines due to severe thunderstorm winds.
A broadcast meteorologist relayed a report of 1 inch diameter hail.
A trained spotter reported to the NWS that severe thunderstorm winds brought down 3 to 4 large trees.
The Floyd County emergency manager reported trees down due to severe thunderstorm winds on Quarry Road near Georgetown.
The Floyd County emergency manager reported that trees were down on Budd Road and Tomahawk Lane due to severe thunderstorm winds.
A report was received via social media of 1 inch diameter hail in Sellersburg.
A 1 inch diameter hail report was received via social media.
An amateur radio operator relayed a report of penny sized hail to the NWS.
A trained spotter reported that severe thunderstorm winds brought down power poles in the area.
The public reported to the NWS that hail 1 inch in diameter fell in the area.
An amateur radio operator reported to the NWS that several Harrison County low water crossings were flooded, including Highway 337 just north of I-64.
The Floyd County emergency manager reported that excessive rainfall resulted in high water over the road at the intersection of Grant Line and Chapel Lane Roads.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2015Every state in 2015This day in weather historyWarnings in Indiana, December 2015
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: 605529, 605524, 605530, 605525, 605526, 605527, 605528, 605534, 605531, 605562, 605565, 605561, 605557, 605558, 605560, 605559, 605519, 605533, 605563, 605564, 605520, 605521, 605522, 605532, 605523, 606286, 606285.