Several lines of thunderstorms tracked through the Ohio Valley on April 3. This brought isolated damaging wind gusts to parts of southern 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 LMK wrote it up.
Several lines of thunderstorms tracked through the Ohio Valley on April 3. This brought isolated damaging wind gusts to parts of southern Indiana.
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 Apr 3, 2:17 PM EST, 1 hour 16 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
317 PM EDT Tue Apr 3 2018
.Short Term...(This evening through Wednesday night)
Issued at 120 PM EDT Tue Apr 3 2018
...Severe Thunderstorms Possible late this Afternoon and Evening...
Well...on the 44th anniversary of the Super Outbreak (ironic for
sure)...a warm front lifted overnight and temps have risen 20-25
degrees ever since. Currently, 78 at SDF at 1 pm. Two items of
interest right now.
The first is sfc gradient winds which are cranking with gusts as
high as 38 mph at noon. The second item is the cap at 850 mb. UPS
aircraft data showing a stout cap but models bust this with dynamic
forcing and sfc heating by 19z. We have a 4 hour window for discrete
supercells across the northern third of the CWA.
Item 1: Strong SSW winds of 35 to 40 mph at many of the KY Mesonet
locations. LOU just gusted over 45 mph. Wind Advisory still looks
good especially as the inversion breaks and more substantial mixing
occurs. Expect gusts to easily exceed 40 mph even outside of any
later storms. SPC Mesoscale page showing strong pressure falls over
the Show Me state.
Item 2: Supercells
Cap is holding but strong upper level forcing coupled with strong
sfc heating will bust this cap by 19-20z. Then we expect sfc based
CAPE of 500-1000 j/kg to provide rapid fire of isolated cells across
wrn counties near OWB/EVV. Current convection along Wabash River
area to build southward and this too may increase in intensity on
south side of warm front.
Kinematics show loaded gun sounding with 350-400 m2/s2 moving in in
peak afternoon especially in sunshine filled skies. Shear profiles
definitely support discrete supercells ahead of the approaching
potent cold front. SPC has gone moderate with 10% tornado hatched,
and mainly because of the 45% hatched wind area. Main threat will be
along and north and west of a Hartford to Elizabethtown to Frankfort
line. This is a classic Miller loaded gun sounding with few
tornadoes possible. Dew points are quite low but too much shear and
increasing instability.
Greatest severe weather threat still appears to arrive during the
evening with a squall line. Damaging winds will be the main threat,
but there will be opportunity for mesovortices to generate QLCS
tornadoes. Timing still appears to be early-mid evening west of
Interstate 65, and late evening to just after midnight farther east.
Uncertainty increases as we head eastward depending on the
transition from a shear-dominated QLCS to cold-pool-dominated, and
the line inevitably accelerates.
Wednesday...
Storms depart the area after midnight tonight, with temps crashing
in cold air advection. We'll be at least as far below normal on
Wednesday as we are above normal today. Wednesday is much much
colder with steep falls in 1000-850 mb thickness yielding highs in
the 40s with stratocumulus.
Wednesday night and Thursday...
Cold Canadian high pressure will dominate with clearing skies and
light winds, Thursday morning lows will generally be in the upper
20s and lower 30s, with a few sheltered valleys in the lower 20s.
Temps recover on Thursday but will remain below normal. The midnight
shift may need to consider a frost and or freeze headline for Thu
morning.
&&
.Long Term...(Thursday through Tuesday)
Issued at 305 PM EDT Tue Apr 3 2018
...Active weather with below normal temperatures...
...Potential for some wintry weather and hard freeze this weekend...
The extended forecast continues to show more active weather
potential for central KY and southern IN. This occurs as a couple
shortwaves aloft propagate into the OH Valley in WNW flow aloft thru
Saturday, followed by another potential system within WSW flow aloft
Sunday or Monday. There is overall reasonable agreement in forecast
models at this time, but some inherent differences given the fast
flow regime.
The first system passes by to our north Thursday night, and will
likely bring snow to the northern OH Valley/southern Great Lakes.
Southern IN should remain dry, but not out of the question a few
light rain showers could graze part of the area.
The next system close on its heals is progged to push quickly
southeast across the OH Valley. A surface cold front will push
through the area on Friday as an area of strong surface Canadian
high pressure sinks southeast into the northern Plains. As low-level
colder air filters into the lower OH Valley, models to varying
degrees show deep layer moisture increasing within a low-level
frontogenetical axis below a broad right entrance region aloft. This
could result in rain showers initially late Friday changing to snow
Friday night with some accumulation possible over central KY and
south-central IN. South-central KY would be more likely to see rain
for much of the event. While most models at least hint at this
scenario, there are definite differences in speed and moisture
content, so actual occurrence remain tenuous at this time, and
models are likely to offer slightly varying continuity with
successive model runs.
Either way, Saturday will be a quite chilly day with highs
potentially only in the lower-mid 40s, which would be nearly 20
degrees below normal. Temps Saturday morning could be in the upper
20s to lower 30s. By Sunday morning with clearing skies, our current
blended temps give lows in the mid and upper 20s, but colder
readings will be quite possible in protected valleys and low spots.
Thus, a hard freeze appears likely Sunday morning at this time (and
perhaps Saturday morning across our northern counties). All of this
would have serious agricultural implications.
Yet another system may affect our area late Sunday and/or Monday as
flow aloft becomes WSW. Right now, whatever precip falls should be
in the form of rain, although a brief onset of mixed precip/snow is
possible over southern IN based on current model solutions.
&&
.Aviation...(18Z TAF Issuance)
Issued at 125 PM EDT Tue Apr 3 2018
A busy weather day all around this forecast period, with winds the
most persistent problem, but lowering CIGS and VSBYs with strong to
severe thunderstorms also a threat through about 04/06Z. Winds have
already gusted to 40kts at SDF, 37kts at LEX, and 35kts at HNB. Only
BWG has failed to exceed 30kt gusts at the surface so far, but
expect them to increase a bit over the next few hours.
Satellite shows only scattered clouds currently over the TAF sites,
which is problematic in that temperatures have warmed well into the
70s, with dewpoints exceeding 60 at all but SDF, and even there is
58. This has set the stage for supercell storms developing over the
next few hours, with a Tornado Watch now in effect for SDF and HNB.
In the wake of the early supercell threat, a broken squall line is
expected to develop ahead of a cold front moving through between
04/00Z and 04/06Z. In addition to the wind threat ahead of and with
the squall line, CIGS and VSBYS are most likely to be affected at
each site as this goes through.
The final issue this forecast frame will be the extend of cold air
stratocumulus development after the front goes through. For now,
expecting broken MVFR CIGS until late in the valid period.
&&
.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IN...Wind Advisory until 10 PM EDT /9 PM CDT/ this evening for
INZ076>079-083-084-089>092.
KY...Wind Advisory until 10 PM EDT /9 PM CDT/ this evening for
KYZ023>043-045>049-053>057-061>067-070>078-081-082.
&&
Short Term...JDG
Long Term....TWF
Aviation.....JBSHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Louisville KY 346 PM EDT Tue Apr 3 2018 KYZ024>029-034>043-045>049-053>057-061>067-070>078-081-082-042000- Breckinridge-Meade-Ohio-Grayson-Hardin-Bullitt-Shelby-Franklin-Scott- Harrison-Spencer-Anderson-Woodford-Fayette-Bourbon-Nicholas-Nelson- Washington-Mercer-Jessamine-Clark-Larue-Marion-Boyle-Garrard-Madison- Butler-Edmonson-Hart-Green-Taylor-Casey-Lincoln-Logan-Warren-Simpson- Allen-Barren-Monroe-Metcalfe-Adair-Russell-Cumberland-Clinton- Including the cities of Hardinsburg, Brandenburg, Hartford, Leitchfield, Elizabethtown, Shepherdsville, Shelbyville, Frankfort, Georgetown, Cynthiana, Taylorsville, Lawrenceburg, Versailles, Lexington, Paris, Carlisle, Bardstown, Springfield, Harrodsburg, Nicholasville, Winchester, Hodgenville, Lebanon, Danville, Lancaster, Richmond, Morgantown, Brownsville, Horse Cave, Greensburg, Campbellsville, Liberty, Stanford, Russellville, Bowling Green, Franklin, Providence, Scottsville, Glasgow, Tompkinsville, Edmonton, Columbia, Jamestown, Burkesville, and Albany 346 PM EDT Tue Apr 3 2018 /246 PM CDT Tue Apr 3 2018/ ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT /9 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING... This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central Indiana and Central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms will affect the area through the evening hours. The main threat will be damaging wind, but a couple of tornadoes will also be possible. Strong southwest winds are expected thru mid evening, with sustained winds up to 30 mph and gusts in excess of 40 mph likely even outside of thunderstorms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. A hard freeze appears likely Thursday morning and again Sunday morning with lows in the 20s each morning. Near freezing or subfreezing temperatures also are possible Saturday morning. This could have serious agricultural impact. Although still a bit tenuous at this time, wintry weather is possible Friday night with rain changing to snow over parts of central Kentucky and south-central Indiana. Some accumulation is possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed this afternoon and evening. INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ023-030>033-042000- Orange-Washington-Scott-Jefferson-Dubois-Crawford-Perry-Harrison- Floyd-Clark-Hancock-Oldham-Trimble-Henry- Including the cities of Paoli, Salem, Scottsburg, Madison, Jasper, English, Tell City, Corydon, New Albany, Jeffersonville, Lewisport, Hawesville, Louisville, La Grange, Bedford, Milton, and New Castle 346 PM EDT Tue Apr 3 2018 /246 PM CDT Tue Apr 3 2018/ ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT /9 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING... ...TORNADO WATCH 26 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING... This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central Indiana and Central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms will affect the area thru mid evening. The main threat will be damaging wind, but a couple of tornadoes will also be possible. Strong southwest winds are expected thru this evening, with sustained winds up to 30 mph and gusts in excess of 40 mph likely even outside of thunderstorms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. A hard freeze appears likely Thursday morning and again Sunday morning with lows in the 20s each morning. Near freezing or subfreezing temperatures also are possible Saturday morning. This could have serious agricultural impact. Although still a bit tenuous at this time, wintry weather is possible Friday night with rain changing to snow over parts of central Kentucky and south-central Indiana. Some accumulation is possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed this afternoon and evening. JDG
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
104 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018
INZ083-031830-
Dubois-
104 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHERN DUBOIS COUNTY...
At 104 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Winslow, moving
northeast at 55 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and dime size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Jasper, Dubois, Hillham, Thales, Cuzco, Portersville, Ireland, Dubois
Crossroads, Norton and Kellerville.
LAT...LON 3851 8707 3850 8706 3851 8705 3851 8700
3850 8698 3850 8696 3849 8696 3849 8695
3851 8693 3850 8691 3850 8688 3853 8683
3852 8668 3849 8668 3834 8707
TIME...MOT...LOC 1804Z 239DEG 49KT 3841 8716
EERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
233 PM EDT TUE APR 3 2018
INZ076-083-084-031900-
Crawford-Orange-Dubois-
233 PM EDT TUE APR 3 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN DUBOIS...
NORTHWESTERN CRAWFORD AND SOUTHWESTERN ORANGE COUNTIES...
At 232 PM EDT/132 PM CDT/, a strong thunderstorm was located near
Folsomville, moving northeast at 65 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and dime size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Jasper, Huntingburg, Ferdinand, Holland, Birdseye, Riceville,
Celestine, Saint Marks, Bretzville and Norton.
A tornado watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT/700 PM CDT/ for
south central Indiana.
LAT...LON 3832 8707 3850 8668 3836 8654 3820 8691
3820 8707
TIME...MOT...LOC 1832Z 239DEG 56KT 3821 8710
EERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
305 PM EDT TUE APR 3 2018
INZ076-077-083-084-089-031930-
Crawford-Orange-Washington-Perry-Dubois-
305 PM EDT TUE APR 3 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT EASTERN DUBOIS...
NORTHERN CRAWFORD...NORTHWESTERN PERRY...ORANGE AND WESTERN
WASHINGTON COUNTIES...
At 305 PM EDT/205 PM CDT/, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were
located along a line extending from 10 miles east of Shoals to 7
miles south of Paoli to 12 miles northeast of Holiday World. Movement
was northeast at 60 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Salem, Paoli, English, Ferdinand, Orleans, French Lick, Stampers
Creek, Marengo, Orangeville and Campbellsburg.
A tornado watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT/700 PM CDT/ for
south central Indiana.
LAT...LON 3876 8612 3865 8605 3832 8636 3817 8680
3818 8679 3821 8679 3820 8695 3841 8681
3853 8677 3853 8668 3869 8668 3869 8631
3873 8631 3874 8629 3877 8628 3878 8618
TIME...MOT...LOC 1905Z 241DEG 50KT 3867 8659 3845 8649 3821 8672
EERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
353 PM EDT TUE APR 3 2018
INZ077>079-090>092-032030-
Washington-Jefferson-Floyd-Clark-Scott-Harrison-
353 PM EDT TUE APR 3 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN
HARRISON...NORTHWESTERN JEFFERSON...NORTHWESTERN CLARK...SCOTT AND
WASHINGTON COUNTIES...
At 353 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from 8 miles southeast of Brownstown to 6
miles southwest of New Providence Town. Movement was east at 65 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Scottsburg, Salem, New Providence Town, Vienna, Austin, Lexington,
Blue River, New Pekin, Palmyra and Milltown.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
A tornado watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for south central
Indiana.
LAT...LON 3853 8563 3830 8628 3836 8627 3835 8625
3869 8616 3876 8605 3877 8598 3875 8598
3876 8594 3873 8587 3881 8579 3883 8573
3882 8570 3882 8563 3885 8561 3885 8557
3888 8557 3888 8554 3891 8553 3891 8552
TIME...MOT...LOC 1953Z 250DEG 55KT 3880 8593 3840 8604
EERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Louisville KY
259 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018
KYZ026-061-032015-
Butler-Ohio-
259 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN BUTLER AND
SOUTHEASTERN OHIO COUNTIES...
At 259 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 12 miles east of
Central City, moving northeast at 55 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Casey, Beaver Dam, Mchenry, Rockport, Monford, Horse Branch,
Aberdeen, Windy Hill, Eden and Flint Springs.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 3754 8668 3740 8661 3739 8660 3727 8654
3722 8691 3723 8692 3724 8691 3724 8694
3726 8696 3726 8697 3727 8698 3732 8699
3734 8700
TIME...MOT...LOC 1959Z 246DEG 48KT 3726 8691
DMThe Louisville radar (KLVX), 101 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:31 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Broadcast media reported an estimated wind gust of 52 knots.
The public reported that a shed was destroyed with a person inside. No injuries were reported.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Indiana, April 2018
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: 738823, 738822.