An upper level system interacted with hot and humid air to produce severe thunderstorms across central Indiana on May 31. The storms brought down many trees and some power lines across mainly the southern half of central 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 IND wrote it up.
An upper level system interacted with hot and humid air to produce severe thunderstorms across central Indiana on May 31. The storms brought down many trees and some power lines across mainly the southern half of central 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 Indianapolis, IN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 31, 9:32 AM EST, 2 hours 10 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 1032 AM EDT Thu May 31 2018 .UPDATE... Aviation section updated && .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 323 AM EDT Thu May 31 2018 The remnants of Alberto have pushed off to the northeast, but showers and thunderstorms will still be possible from this afternoon through Friday as an upper trough passes through central Indiana. After that though, high pressure will bring dry conditions for the first part of the weekend. Further out, an elongated upper low will impact the region early in the extended period. Meanwhile, temperatures through the period will remain above normal. && .NEAR TERM /This afternoon/... Issued at 931 AM EDT Thu May 31 2018 Surface analysis late this morning shows mainly SW flow in place across Central Indiana. Indiana was found caught between Low pressure over Ontario and High pressure over the southeastern States. A short wave was found over Eastern Missouri...sliding eastward. GOES16 shows a few clouds across southern parts of Indiana...associated with some weak decaying thunderstorms. Dew points across Central Indiana remained very high...near 70. Next few hours should remain dry across Central Indiana...however instability due to daytime heating should result showers and storm development this afternoon as the short wave over Missouri approaches. Forecast soundings show favorable steep lapse rates with over 2500 J/KG of CAPE. Given the expected trajectory of the approaching wave and ongoing convection...best forcing should be found across the southern parts of the forecast area and we have focused highest pops in that location. Severe storms will be possible as this wave approaches late this afternoon and evening. Given the full sun and very warm air mass in place have trended highs slightly above the forecast builder blends. && .SHORT TERM /Tonight through Saturday Night/... Issued at 323 AM EDT Thu May 31 2018 Focus will have to remain on the southern portions of central Indiana into tonight for any convective development. Upward vertical velocity begins to wane a bit between Fri 00-03Z with loss of some diurnal heating, but there is still enough enhancement for concern through Fri 06Z for strong to severe thunderstorms. So, this period will have to be monitored the closest during the short term period. After that, it will take awhile for drier air to work into the environment as ridging strengthens over the Upper Midwest tonight. As a result, some showers and thunderstorms could linger (mainly east) into tomorrow. As the ridging strengthens to the northwest though, dry conditions will return from Friday night through Saturday. Late in the short term period, focus then turns to the next low pressure system over the Northern Plains/Upper Midwest. Rain chances will start increasing across the western portions of central Indiana by Saturday evening ahead of this system. This was highlighted well by latest blended initialization. So, no changes were made. Temperatures through the period will remain above normal. && .LONG TERM /Sunday Through Wednesday/... Issued at 235 AM EDT Thu May 31 2018 Mostly quiet weather is in store for the long term under the influence of surface high pressure and northwest flow aloft ahead of a high amplitude central states upper ridge. The exception may be the first six hours or so when a few storms are possible associated with a trough swinging through. Low level thermal progs and plenty of sunshine should result in slightly above normal temperatures with highs mostly in the lower and middle 80s per the blend. Confidence in the trends is high. && .AVIATION /Discussion for the 1531000Z IND Tafs/... VFR Conditions are expected the next Several hours. Better chances for showers and thunderstorms will arrive late this afternoon and evening as a short wave combined with afternoon daytime heating instability arrive from the Missouri and Illinois. For now...mainly VCTS window have been used to define TSRA periods. As usual...any TSRA that does strike a TAF site will likely result in brief MVFR or worse conditions. Previous Discussion below /Discussion for 311200z TAF Issuance/... Issued at 700 AM EDT Thu May 31 2018 High confidence in VFR conditions through 19z. Then, thunderstorms will be increasing in coverage along with the potential for reduced flying conditions. Winds will be generally south and southwest 5 to 11 knots outside of storms and storm outflow. && .IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SYNOPSIS...TDUD NEAR TERM...Puma SHORT TERM...TDUD LONG TERM....MK AVIATION...MK/JP
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 329 AM EDT Thu May 31 2018 INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-011000- Carroll-Warren-Tippecanoe-Clinton-Howard-Fountain-Montgomery-Boone- Tipton-Hamilton-Madison-Delaware-Randolph-Vermillion-Parke-Putnam- Hendricks-Marion-Hancock-Henry-Vigo-Clay-Owen-Morgan-Johnson-Shelby- Rush-Sullivan-Greene-Monroe-Brown-Bartholomew-Decatur-Knox-Daviess- Martin-Lawrence-Jackson-Jennings- Including the cities of Lafayette, Frankfort, Kokomo, Crawfordsville, Anderson, Muncie, Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Shelbyville, Bloomington, Columbus, Vincennes, Bedford, and Seymour 329 AM EDT Thu May 31 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Outlook: Showers and thunderstorms will redevelop this afternoon. Some of these storms could be strong or severe late this afternoon and evening, especially south of Interstate 74. An isolated tornado can not be ruled out south of Carlisle and Bedford. Hazards: Damaging winds, large hail, isolated tornadoes, brief heavy rain and cloud to ground lightning. Timing: Mainly late this afternoon and evening. Discussion: A frontal system and upper wave will move through central Indiana tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Outlook: A pair of frontal systems will bring a chance of thunderstorms to central Indiana Friday and Friday evening and again Saturday night through early afternoon Sunday. Severe storms are not expected. However, any storm can produce brief heavy rain, gusty winds and cloud to ground lightning. Discussion: A pair of cold fronts will result in the threat for early and late weekend thunderstorms. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found at http://weather.gov/ind
The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 46 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:42 UTC.
37 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was downed at the intersection of Niblack Road and Main Avenue due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
Numerous trees were downed across Vincennes due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
A thunderstorm wind gust estimated at 60 mph was observed in this area.
A five foot diameter tree was snapped at the base along 9th Street due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
A ten inch diameter, live tree was downed near the intersection of 9th and Alexander Streets due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
A thunderstorm wind gust estimated at 60 mph was observed in this location and relayed via amateur radio.
A 12-inch diameter tree was downed across US Highway 50 between Shoals and Loogootee due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
Trees were downed in City Park due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts. This report was relayed via social media.
There were numerous reports of several trees downed and power out across the city due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
A thunderstorm wind gust estimated at 60 mph was observed in this location.
Several tree limbs and trees were downed on the north side of Shoals due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
There were reports of several trees down along Judah Road due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
Trees were reported down in this location due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts. Power was also reported to be out.
An eight inch, live tree limb was downed along Inverness Farm Road due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
Healthy trees and branches of unknown size were downed in this location due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
A thunderstorm wind gust estimated at 60 mph was observed in this area. Several power lines and trees were reported down as well.
A large tree was downed on County Road 800 South near US Highway 31 due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts. This report was received via Twitter.
Numerous tree limbs and power lines were downed across Seymour due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts. Winds were estimated at 50 to 60 mph.
One or more snapped utility poles was observed in this location due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
A six inch tree limb was broken a tree due to strong thunderstorm wind gusts.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 47 mph was measured in this location where 8-inch tree limbs were broken off trees near the 4H Fairgrounds.
The top of a tree was blown off, hitting part of a second floor enclosed porch and outer deck due to strong thunderstorm winds. There was no mention of any damage to the porch or deck. This report as received via Twitter.
A thunderstorm wind gust estimated at 60 mph was observed in this location.
Utility lines, trees, and tree limbs were downed in this location due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
A two foot diameter tree was blown down into the street near the intersection of 16th and Chestnut Streets due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts. This tree missed hitting a vehicle by about one foot. The report was relayed through amateur radio.
A medium-sized, not particularly healthy looking tree was blown over, snapping at the base due to strong thunderstorm wind gusts. Half of a decorative storm shutter was torn off a home. This report was received via Twitter.
A thunderstorm wind gust measured at 64 mph broke a DC-3 plane free of tie downs and was blown about 200 yards off of the tarmac onto grass.
Utility lines, trees, and tree limbs were blown down in this location due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
A large tree was blown over, snapping below ground level, and tree branches were blown down just northwest of Crawfordsville Road and North Lynhurst Drive due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts. There was damage to a carport support beam that was apparently caused by one of the fallen tree branches.
Utility lines, trees, and tree limbs were blown down due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts in and near the Millhousen area.
A thunderstorm wind gust measured at 61 mph was observed in this location. The wind gust was accompanied by penny-sized hail.
A small tree was blown down on South Fox Tail Pass, located just west of South County Road 700 West due to strong thunderstorm wind gusts.
Several trees were blown down along West County Road 100 South between South County Road 300 West and South County Road 500 West, near Spring Lake due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
Utility lines, trees, and tree limbs were downed in this location due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
Several large, live tree limbs were blown down near the intersection of State Road 3 and County Road 300 South due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
A dead tree, of unknown size, was blown across State Road 103 due to strong thunderstorm wind gusts.
Two power poles were reported down near Stringtown Road and Wabash Chapel due to damaging thunderstorm wind gusts.
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, May 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: 762361, 762362, 762363, 762364, 762365, 762366, 762367, 762368, 762369, 762370, 762371, 762372, 762373, 762374, 762375, 762376, 762378, 762379, 762377, 762380, 762381, 762382, 762383, 762384, 762385, 762386, 762387, 762388, 762389, 762390, 762391, 762392, 762398, 762393, 762394, 762395, 762400.