East to west oriented MLCAPE axis of 1000 to 2000 J/KG existed across far southern Lower Michigan and far northern Indiana. Effective shear was maximized across northwestern Indiana but did lower somewhat with southward extent.
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 IWX wrote it up.
East to west oriented MLCAPE axis of 1000 to 2000 J/KG existed across far southern Lower Michigan and far northern Indiana. Effective shear was maximized across northwestern Indiana but did lower somewhat with southward extent. A line of thunderstorms moved across southern Lake Michigan into northwestern Indiana. Additional storms developed further south along theta-e axis. Result was damaging wind gusts, a few that were significant with reports of trees, tree limbs and power lines down in several areas. Localized flooding occurred in some areas, mainly those prone to high water.
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 Northern Indiana wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 2, 6:34 PM EST, 54 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Northern Indiana 734 PM EDT Wed May 2 2018 .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 322 PM EDT Wed May 2 2018 A wet period is just ahead with periodic chances for showers and storms from tonight through Friday, with storms ending early Friday evening. A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible, but widespread severe weather is not expected. Highs will be in the 70s Thursday through Saturday, then a little cooler Sunday with highs from 65 to around 70. Little if any rain is expected this weekend. && .SHORT TERM...(This Evening through Friday) Issued at 317 PM EDT Wed May 2 2018 Moisture has really increased from the south this afternoon with dew points climbing to around 60 degrees most areas. Any fire weather issues will end tonight with a widespread rain. Given moisture increasing from the south with steeper mid level lapse rates, surface based CAPEs per SPC analysis had climbed to around 1500 J/Kg over the southern sections of northern Indiana this afternoon. A stray shower or storm is possible over these area; however, better chances for showers & storms will be tonight as upstream convection organizes and moves east along a strong but slowly moving front. Severe weather parameters appear marginal tonight through Friday. The Storm Prediction Center has maintained a marginal risk for severe storms into Friday in this regard. There may be a break in the showers and storms Thursday before the second wave moves across the area late Thursday into Friday. Precipitable water values will rise above 1.5 inches per GFS and be close to climate maxes for this time of year through Thursday night. Widespread rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches are likely by late Friday. Locally heavy rainfall and rises on rivers are likely with some rivers possibly flooding. && .LONG TERM...(Friday Night through Wednesday) Issued at 317 PM EDT Wed May 2 2018 A tranquil period is ahead for the weekend into early next week. There is a good chance a weak system will bring some showers Sunday, but the rest of the period from Saturday through next Wednesday should be dry with temperatures close to normal. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Thursday Evening) Issued at 734 PM EDT Wed May 2 2018 VFR through the overnight although continued and sustained moisture advection into the area along with numerous showers/thunderstorms will eventually yield MVFR cigs aft daybreak Thu. Thereafter should remain dry/stable until late aftn/early eve before next chc tsra takes shape. && .IWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IN...NONE. MI...NONE. OH...NONE. LM...NONE. && SYNOPSIS...Skipper SHORT TERM...Skipper LONG TERM...Skipper AVIATION...T Visit us at www.weather.gov/iwx Follow us on Facebook...Twitter...and YouTube at: www.facebook.com/NWSNorthernIndiana www.twitter.com/nwsiwx www.youtube.com/NWSNorthernIndiana
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Northern Indiana 519 PM EDT Wed May 2 2018 INZ003>009-012>018-020-022>027-032>034-MIZ077>081-OHZ001-002-004-005- 015-016-024-025-031000- La Porte-St. Joseph IN-Elkhart-Lagrange-Steuben-Noble-De Kalb-Starke- Pulaski-Marshall-Fulton IN-Kosciusko-Whitley-Allen IN-White-Cass IN- Miami-Wabash-Huntington-Wells-Adams-Grant-Blackford-Jay-Berrien- Cass MI-St. Joseph MI-Branch-Hillsdale-Williams-Fulton OH-Defiance- Henry-Paulding-Putnam-Van Wert-Allen OH- 519 PM EDT Wed May 2 2018 /419 PM CDT Wed May 2 2018/ This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southwest Michigan...northern Indiana and northwest Ohio. .DAY ONE...Tonight Scattered to numerous thunderstorms tonight. A few storms may approach severe limits with hail up to 1 inch and wind gusts to 60 mph this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday Additional chances for thunderstorms exist toward Thursday evening and again Friday afternoon. A few strong storms are possible each period with an isolated severe risk possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters may be needed this evening. && Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio for further details or updates...or check our web site at weather.gov/iwx LMZ043-046-031000- New Buffalo MI to St Joseph MI-Michigan City IN to New Buffalo MI- 519 PM EDT Wed May 2 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of The Nearshore Waters of Southeastern Lake Michigan. .DAY ONE...Tonight A few southwest gusts to 25 knots are possible this evening. Scattered to numerous are expected through evening. A strong to severe thunderstorm is possible this evening with gusty winds in excess of 35 knots and hail up to 1 inch in diameter. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday Conditions hazardous to small craft may develop Thursday night into early Friday. Additional chances for thunderstorms exist Thursday afternoon and evening with an isolated strong to severe thunderstorm possible. && Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio for further details or updates...or check our web site at weather.gov/iwx
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
758 PM EDT WED MAY 2 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0757 PM TSTM WND GST 2 SW KNOX 41.27N 86.65W
05/02/2018 E56 MPH STARKE IN PUBLIC
NO HAIL WITH STORM VIA TWITTER.
&&
GHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
801 PM EDT WED MAY 2 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0800 PM TSTM WND DMG SOUTH BEND 41.68N 86.26W
05/02/2018 ST. JOSEPH IN TRAINED SPOTTER
TREES UPROOTED, LARGE BRANCHES SNAPPED.
&&
GHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
802 PM EDT WED MAY 2 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0756 PM TSTM WND GST SOUTH BEND INTERNATIONA 41.71N 86.32W
05/02/2018 M71 MPH ST. JOSEPH IN ASOS
ASOS STATION SBN, SOUTH BEND INTERNATIONAL
AP.
&&
GHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
815 PM EDT WED MAY 2 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0815 PM TSTM WND GST ELKHART 41.69N 85.97W
05/02/2018 E60 MPH ELKHART IN PUBLIC
DIME SIZED HAIL AS WELL.
&&
GHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
824 PM EDT WED MAY 2 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0823 PM TSTM WND DMG MISHAWAKA 41.67N 86.17W
05/02/2018 ST. JOSEPH IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
POWER LINES DOWN IN THE CITY.
&&
GHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
828 PM EDT WED MAY 2 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0810 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 N SAN PIERRE 41.23N 86.89W
05/02/2018 STARKE IN PUBLIC
10-15" DIAMETER TREES DOWNED.
&&
GHThe Northern Indiana radar (KIWX), 49 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:27 UTC.
7 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Amateur radio operators reported power poles were blown down.
Amateur radio operators reported power poles were blown down.
The public reported roof damage to a garage.
The Automated Weather Observation System at the Branch County Airport recorded a 73 mph wind gust.
Emergency management officials reported a 14 inch diameter tree limb fell across a road.
A trained spotter estimated wind gusts to 65 mph.
A trained spotter reported a large tree was blown down onto Waldron Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Michigan in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Michigan, 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: 744383, 744384, 744385, 744388, 744386, 744389, 744387.