A line of thunderstorms developed in Iowa early in the morning of August 20, 2019, and continued moving southeast through the afternoon hours. Thunderstorms developed thanks to an upper level wave.
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.
A line of thunderstorms developed in Iowa early in the morning of August 20, 2019, and continued moving southeast through the afternoon hours. Thunderstorms developed thanks to an upper level wave. The upper wave interacted with the unstable atmosphere to produce the severe thunderstorms. The storms brought damaging winds to central Indiana during the early to mid-afternoon time frame. Trees and power lines were downed across the area. The Indianapolis International Airport reported a 73 mph wind gust with the storms. Nearly 40,000 people were without power due to the storms.
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 Aug 20, 11:34 AM EST, 34 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 1234 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019 .UPDATE... The AVIATION Section has been updated below. && .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 226 AM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019 An upper level weather disturbance over the plains is expected to generate thunderstorms this morning and push them across Central Indiana this afternoon. More storms will be possible on Wednesday afternoon and evening as a cold front is expected to push across Indiana. In the wake of the cold front...mainly dry and cooler weather will be expected for the end of the work week and weekend as Canadian high pressure builds across the Great Lakes. Chances for for showers and storms will return to the area early next work week. && .NEAR TERM /Rest of Today/... Issued at 1040 AM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019 For the morning update...added some PoPs this morning for isolated to widely scattered convection seen over northeast and east central Indiana, as well as a couple over east central Illinois. Current timing of squall line in Illinois brings it to the northwestern/western counties of the forecast area between noon and 1 pm. Still some uncertainty regarding the maintenance of severe potential given the solid cirrus shield out ahead of it heading this way, but even given that still looking at over 3000 J/kg of CAPE over the southwestern counties already at 10 am with CIN rapidly diminishing. The shear over central Indiana is less than that over western/central Illinois, but is progged to increase this afternoon. Relevant parts of previous discussion follow... Main possible severe threat today will be damaging winds. The GFS and NAM bring the short wave over IA across Indiana this afternoon...interacting with the very warm and moist air mass in place across the area. HRRR continues with the ongoing development and pushed these storms to Indiana near 16Z-18Z. As these storms advance toward the area forecast soundings show convective temps in the upper 80s and CAPE over 3000 J/KG. GFS/NAM Lower level shear suggest best values across SW Indiana this afternoon. Overall many things here pointing to convection...favorable airmass with a trigger already from previous storms that have already started. Only caveat is severe threat as timing for diurnal MCS's usually put the timing in the decaying stage. Furthermore CI blowoff could limit heating. Nonetheless...will trend pops mainly this afternoon and evening higher than the NBM and trend highs today close to persistence. && .SHORT TERM /Tonight through Thursday Night/... Issued at 226 AM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019 Mainly calm weather looks in store tonight and Wednesday. The GFS and NAM continue to show the NW flow in place aloft and at this point...fail to show much in the way of an upper wave poised to push across the area. High pressure still looks to remain in place at the surface. Model continue to hint at low pops as dew point remain very moist...in the mid 70s. Thus will focus only on diurnal convection on Wednesday afternoon...carrying some chc pops. Will trend lows and highs warmer than the NBM on Tonight and Wednesday. A stronger short wave is suggested to push across the area on Wednesday night..along with a an associated cold front. Again a favorable air mass for storms will be in place. Forecast soundings trend toward a saturated column on Wednesday Night with pwats over 1.77. Thus will trend pops here at or above the NBM. As for temps will trend lows warmer given the expected rain. On Thursday and Thursday night forecast soundings dry out dramatically as the upper and lower level flow become much more northerly as a larger wave aloft sags out of Canada and high pressure builds across the Great lakes. Thus will trend toward dry weather and stick close to the NBM in temps. && .LONG TERM /Friday through Monday Night/... Issued at 404 AM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019 Below normal temperatures will prevail for much of the extended period in the wake of a cold front. This front will settle into the Tennessee Valley and finally Southeast U.S. by Friday, so the best chances for any showers and thunderstorms on Friday will be across the southern half of central Indiana. This is a low confidence forecast though as a large ridge of high pressure strengthens over the Great Lakes Region simultaneously. And, this will be the case through most of the weekend, just low chances for daily showers and thunderstorms across the southern portions of the forecast area. It won't be until Monday when shower and thunderstorm chances increase as a warm front shifts into the region also bringing high temperatures back into the mid 80s after mid 70s (N) to low 80s (S) from Friday through Sunday. && .AVIATION /Discussion for 20/18Z TAF Issuance/... Issued at 1224 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019 MVFR to IFR conditions expected during afternoon convection with VFR conditions expected afterwards. MVFR to IFR ceilings and visibilities possible again tomorrow morning due to fog and clouds. An active period expected with a line of thunderstorms moving in towards central Indiana at this time. Current thoughts are for arrival at HUF and LAF around 18Z. BMG and IND will be impacted likely between 19 and 20Z. Brief wind gusts in excess of 30 kts possible with best chances for strong winds at HUF and LAF. Quiet weather is expected afterwards before chances for low ceilings and fog return tomorrow morning with plenty of low level moisture and nearly calm winds expected. Confidence is still fairly low on extent of this with best chances near LAF. && .IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SYNOPSIS...Puma NEAR TERM...Puma/CP SHORT TERM...Puma LONG TERM....TDUD AVIATION...White
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 1010 AM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019 INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-211415- 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 Delphi, Flora, Williamsport, West Lebanon, Lafayette, West Lafayette, Frankfort, Kokomo, Attica, Covington, Veedersburg, Crawfordsville, Lebanon, Zionsville, Tipton, Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, Anderson, Muncie, Winchester, Clinton, Newport, Rockville, Greencastle, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Danville, Indianapolis, Greenfield, Cumberland, New Castle, Terre Haute, Brazil, Clay City, Spencer, Martinsville, Mooresville, Greenwood, Franklin, Shelbyville, Rushville, Sullivan, Linton, Bloomfield, Bloomington, Nashville, Columbus, Greensburg, Vincennes, Washington, Loogootee, Shoals, Bedford, Mitchell, Seymour, Brownstown, and North Vernon 1010 AM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Outlook: Severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon into the evening. Hazards: Damaging winds, heavy rain, lightning, isolated tornadoes, hail. Timing: Most likely window for severe storms noon to 6 pm. Discussion: An upper level weather disturbance in combination with a warm and humid air mass across Central Indiana may produce severe thunderstorms this afternoon into the evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Outlook: Thunderstorms will be possible at times through Sunday Discussion: A series of weak upper level weather disturbances will interact with lingering surface boundary to bring some chances for showers and storms to much of central Indiana. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is possible this afternoon and evening. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found at http://weather.gov/ind
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
1231 PM EDT TUE AUG 20 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1228 PM HAIL TERRE HAUTE 39.47N 87.38W
08/20/2019 E0.50 INCH VIGO IN AMATEUR RADIO
LOCATED AT 8TH AVENUE AND LAFAYETTE
&&
BHHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1233 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019
INZ051-052-201715-
Clay IN-Vigo IN-
1233 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019
...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...
At 1232 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Terre Haute, moving northeast at 40 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Terre Haute, Brazil, Seelyville, Knightsville, Staunton, Carbon,
Center Point, Riley, Fontanet, North Terre Haute and Indiana State
University.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3961 8723 3960 8711 3940 8703 3937 8738
3954 8748
TIME...MOT...LOC 1632Z 246DEG 35KT 3949 8732
CPSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1252 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019
INZ051-052-201715-
Clay IN-Vigo IN-
1252 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN VIGO AND WEST CENTRAL
CLAY COUNTIES UNTIL 115 PM EDT...
At 1251 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles south of Terre Haute, moving east at 25 mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Terre Haute, West Terre Haute, Prairieton, Prairie Creek, Staunton,
Riley, Cory and Pimento.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3935 8755 3935 8753 3945 8753 3949 8719
3926 8719 3927 8756
TIME...MOT...LOC 1651Z 264DEG 22KT 3935 8741
CPSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 104 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019 INZ035-036-043>045-051-052-201745- Clay IN-Montgomery IN-Putnam IN-Fountain IN-Parke IN-Vermillion IN- Vigo IN- 104 PM EDT Tue Aug 20 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN VIGO...SOUTHERN FOUNTAIN...NORTHERN CLAY...PARKE...VERMILLION...SOUTHWESTERN MONTGOMERY AND WESTERN PUTNAM COUNTIES UNTIL 145 PM EDT... At 103 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8 miles southwest of Newport, or 15 miles northeast of Paris, moving east at 45 mph. Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Terre Haute, Brazil, Clinton, Rockville, Newport, Fairview Park, Cayuga, Seelyville, Montezuma, Knightsville, Rosedale, Harmony, Dana, Staunton, Kingman, Perrysville, Waveland, Carbon, Universal and Russellville. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. 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 4007 8753 3996 8697 3945 8698 3952 8753 TIME...MOT...LOC 1703Z 286DEG 40KT 3978 8749 CP
The Indianapolis radar (KIND), 113 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:06 UTC.
30 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Multiple trees knocked down due to thunderstorm wind gusts around the town of West Lebanon.
A tree was reported down due to thunderstorm wind gusts along State Route 263 near County Road 500 West.
Tree partially snapped due to thunderstorm wind gusts. Snapped portion fell and damaged an automobile.
Multiple large tree limbs downed due to thunderstorm wind gusts.
Multiple large tree limbs snapped due to thunderstorm wind gusts.
Utility line downed due to thunderstorm wind gusts.
Dime sized hail was also noted at this location.
Small tree snapped due to thunderstorm wind gusts.
Large limb of tree snapped due to thunderstorm wind gusts off along Indiana State Road 47 South.
Emergency manager reports multiple trees and tree limbs downed due to thunderstorm wind gusts with some on having fallen on cars.
Trained Spotter estimated 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust. Several tree limbs were downed due to thunderstorm wind gusts west of Teal Street and US Highway 52. Additional tree limbs were downed on Third Street.
Multiple five to seven inch tree limbs snapped due to thunderstorm wind gusts.
Several large tree limbs downed due to thunderstorm wind gusts. A roof was blown off along with several trees uprooted or snapped near the location.
An estimated 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust was observed in this location.
Tree downed due to thunderstorm wind gust across County Road 100 North. Shingles blown off of roof at a nearby location.
Large tree limb snapped due to thunderstorm wind gusts. Limb fell on car driving along road. Driver suffered minor injuries.
A measured 73 mph thunderstorm wind gust was reported at the KIND ASOS.
A 70 mph thunderstorm wind gust was measured at this location.
A large tree was snapped due to thunderstorm wind gusts fifteen feet above the base.
An estimated 65 mph thunderstorm wind gust was reported at this location.
A 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust was measured at this location.
An 8 inch diameter tree was downed across a nearby road due to thunderstorm wind gusts.
Reports of several trees downed due to thunderstorm wind gusts in northwestern Decatur County.
A tree was downed across State Highway 450 near Brett Road due to thunderstorm wind gusts.
Gazebo was ripped out of the ground and thrown against a house due to thunderstorm wind gusts.
Several large tree limbs and a couple of small trees snapped due to thunderstorm wind gusts.
Two power poles snapped along a nearby road due to thunderstorm wind gusts.
Trees and power lines downed at the intersection of County Road 525 West and State Road 132 due to thunderstorm wind gusts.
Multiple trees and power lines were downed due to thunderstorm wind gusts.
Multiple trees downed in an area stretching from Saint Paul to Greensburg due to thunderstorm wind gusts. In addition, more than 150 customers were without power in this stretch.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Indiana, August 2019
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: 850416, 850478, 850417, 850525, 850529, 850526, 850532, 850558, 850565, 850568, 850570, 850578, 850629, 850630, 850632, 850637, 850640, 850646, 850642, 850643, 850648, 850649, 850676, 850651, 850652, 850677, 850680, 850685, 850688, 850692.