Showers and thunderstorms pushed across the southern third of the state of Indiana during the late morning into the afternoon of May the 29th. These storms produced damaging thunderstorms wind gusts in the late morning and flash flooding in the afternoon after a couple rounds of rainfall.
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.
Showers and thunderstorms pushed across the southern third of the state of Indiana during the late morning into the afternoon of May the 29th. These storms produced damaging thunderstorms wind gusts in the late morning and flash flooding in the afternoon after a couple rounds of rainfall.
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 29, 9:37 AM EST, 30 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 1037 AM EDT Wed May 29 2019 .UPDATE... The AVIATION section has been updated below. && .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 342 AM EDT Wed May 29 2019 Unsettled weather will continue through Thursday night with multiple opportunities for rain and storms as a frontal boundary meanders across the Ohio Valley. Heavy rain and storms will be most widespread late tonight and Thursday morning as low pressure tracks along the front across the area. Dry weather will return for Friday and early Saturday as high pressure builds in. Rain chances return over the weekend with a second frontal boundary tracking through the region. Dry weather will return again for the early part of next week. && .NEAR TERM /Today/... Issued at 342 AM EDT Wed May 29 2019 Quiet weather currently ending over central Indiana as convection tracks into the Wabash Valley from the west. A well developed boundary extended from storms over lower Michigan southwest into the activity in Illinois and was bisecting the forecast area. This has led to a noticeable gradient in temperatures at 07Z...with upper 50s and lower 60s north of the boundary and lower to mid 70s south. Yet another complex forecast for today with a number of mesoscale factors that will determine convective evolution and coverage through the day. Model data and the majority of the CAMs are once again struggling with current convection to our north and west and lend to a lower confidence forecast for today. The boundary mentioned above that is slowly moving southeast across the forecast area could end up being a key component in how convection evolves as it tracks into the region over the next few hours and indirectly may determine how any afternoon convection develops. Weak instability present this morning over most of the forecast area but with a fair amount of inhibition. Overall convection to the west continues to generate but is subsevere...and is largely being driven by enhancement in the low level jet over the lower Ohio Valley. The weakly unstable airmass over the region with the low level jet should support an eastward expansion into the forecast area to convection through daybreak and into the morning. Suspect however that the boundary sliding southeast may serve as a focusing mechanism for showers and storms through the morning which is hinted by the HRRR and a few of the WRF models in particular. While higher pops are warranted through about 12Z as storms move into the area from the west...will gradually focus highest pops over the southeast half of the forecast area through the late morning as the boundary continues to sag south. The forecast for the afternoon becomes more uncertain as the main frontal boundary will linger over northern portions of the forecast area but upper level support is lacking with better forcing aloft further east towards the Mid Atlantic and upper Ohio Valley. Over the region...weak ridging aloft may actually develop as the upper low lifts out of the High Plains and into the Ohio Valley. With forcing aloft lacking...the departure of stronger flow in the boundary layer and the strong likelihood that the boundary this morning takes convection south to near or just south of the Ohio River by mid afternoon...think there is a growing possibility that the potential for more robust convective development will align south of the region later today much like what occurred this past Sunday. In addition...the threat for severe weather this afternoon may also be displaced well to our south. Soundings show the development of a weak capping inversion within the boundary layer with instability remaining elevated which also argues for mitigating a more substantial convective threat later this afternoon. The presence of the front further north with some instability aloft does warrant chance pops for the afternoon and evening...but mitigating factors mentioned above will likely keep subsevere convection isolated to scattered. Temps...morning clouds and convection all but ensure a cooler start to the day versus Tuesday. Some sun this afternoon should enable highs to warm into the upper 70s and lower 80s for much of the forecast area. An overall model blend should work fine here. && .SHORT TERM /Tonight through Friday Night/... Issued at 342 AM EDT Wed May 29 2019 Forecast challenges focus on continued chances for rain and storms through Thursday night with a well deserved and much needed break in the convective threat for Friday as the frontal boundary finally shifts south of the Ohio River. The upper low residing over the Missouri Valley this evening will track northeast and gradually become absorbed by a large upper trough focused across eastern Canada and New England by Friday. This will finally kick the country out of the stagnant upper level pattern of the last 10 days or so with a deep trough in the Intermountain West and disturbances being ejected out downstream across the central and eastern portions of the country. This pattern has been responsible for the active bouts of severe weather and heavy rainfall over the last several days from the Plains east into the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes. This transition in the upper level pattern will also influence a pronounced southward movement to the frontal boundary as a stronger surface wave moves along it late tonight and Thursday before the front shifts south of the region. Any scattered convection that develops later this afternoon and evening will likely diminish in coverage as the evening progresses before a threat for rain and storms overspreads the forecast area from the southwest predawn Thursday. The approach of the aforementioned surface wave and a well developed low level jet nosing into the Ohio Valley will support the best threat for widespread rain through the entire short term. Locally heavy rainfall is likely to be the primary concern as model soundings show a deeply saturated airmass developing early Thursday morning with precip water values surging to near 1.75 inches along with freezing levels at 12-13kft. Could see a scenario with warm rain processes and a threat for highly efficient rainfall in the presence of such deep moisture and saturation up to 15kft if not a bit higher. Think 1-2 inches of rain is possible across the forecast area from late tonight through midday Thursday with locally higher amounts. With saturated grounds over the northern half of the forecast area especially...will highlight a heavy rain/flooding potential within the HWO and our social media platforms. Much of the convection associated with the surface wave will shift east of the region Thursday afternoon...but the trailing upper low is likely to promote convective redevelopment late Thursday afternoon and evening as it tracks across the Ohio Valley. Will carry chance pops through early Friday morning then dry thereafter as the upper disturbance and frontal boundary both depart off to the southeast. Weak high pressure will then expand into the region for Friday and Friday night with dry weather and a well deserved break from the unsettled pattern of late. Could see some increase in mid and high level clouds Friday night as a second frontal boundary drops into the Great Lakes. This feature will impact central Indiana more directly Saturday afternoon into Sunday. Temps...temperatures will be largely held down in the 70s Thursday with rain and storms across the area for a large chunk of the day. The return of sunshine for Friday will enable temperatures to recover into the upper 70s and lower 80s over much of the area but with lower humidity levels than we have seen recently. Lows will slide back into the 50s by Friday night. An overall model blend was largely utilized through the short term. && .LONG TERM (Saturday Through Tuesday)... Issued at 247 AM EDT Wed May 29 2019 Given the inherent uncertainties at the long term range, models are close enough that the model blend initialization was accepted for most items. A couple of systems will move through central Indiana in northwest flow aloft during the long term, bringing chances for rain at times. However, models still differ on timing and location of rain, so confidence is medium at best, lowering near the end of the period. The northwest flow will keep temperatures generally near normal to a little below normal through the period. && .AVIATION (Discussion for the 291500Z IND TAF update)... Issued at 1037 AM EDT Wed May 29 2019 Pulled VCTS based on radar trends. Previous discussion follows... Issued at 659 AM EDT Wed May 29 2019 In general, VFR conditions expected for much of the period. MVFR or worse possible in showers and thunderstorms. Main area of thunderstorms looks to impact southern Indiana, so only have predominant TSRA at KBMG. An area of rain will move across KLAF so went MVFR showers and fog early in the period. KIND/KHUF may remain in between the more widespread rain, so only used vicinity. Convection will diminish this afternoon with only scattered convection this afternoon into this evening. More widespread rain will move in overnight, with potential for lower conditions then. Winds will vary at times with boundaries and a front in the area. && .IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...NONE. && SYNOPSIS...Ryan NEAR TERM...Ryan SHORT TERM...Ryan LONG TERM....50 AVIATION...50/MK
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 409 AM EDT Wed May 29 2019 INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-301000- 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 409 AM EDT Wed May 29 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Outlook: Showers and thunderstorms will impact central Indiana at times through tonight...especially this morning and again late tonight. A few strong to severe storms are possible. Hazards: Damaging winds...large hail...isolated tornadoes...locally torrential rain producing flooding...and frequent lightning. Timing: Best threats for rain and storms through 2 pm this afternoon and again late tonight after midnight. Discussion: Showers and thunderstorms will impact the region this morning as a frontal boundary resides across northern Indiana. Low pressure will approach central Indiana late tonight with widespread rain and storms developing. Heavy rainfall is possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Outlook: Thunderstorms are possible over all or parts of the area at times through Thursday night...then again on Saturday and Sunday. A few strong storms are possible Thursday. Heavy rainfall causing flooding will be a concern through midday Thursday. Discussion: Low pressure will track along a frontal boundary across the area Thursday...bringing heavy rain and the potential for flooding. The front will finally shift south of the area early Friday. A second cold front will drop into the area from the north over the weekend with a renewed threat for showers and thunderstorms. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed later today. && 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
729 AM EDT WED MAY 29 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0730 PM FLASH FLOOD 1 N KOKOMO 40.49N 86.13W
05/28/2019 HOWARD IN TRAINED SPOTTER
WATER FLOWING OVER THE ROAD REPORTED AT
COURTLAND AND KOKOMO. CAR STUCK IN VIADUCT
ON SYCAMORE DOWNTOWN.
&&
AWPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
731 AM EDT WED MAY 29 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1000 PM FLASH FLOOD 2 N KOKOMO 40.50N 86.13W
05/28/2019 HOWARD IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
DISPATCH REPORTED THAT THEY HAD CLOSED
NUMEROUS STREETS DUE TO STANDING WATER AND
AT 10 PM THERE WERE AT LEAST 6 ROADS WITH
WATER FLOWING OVER THEM.
&&
AWPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
734 AM EDT WED MAY 29 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0830 PM FLASH FLOOD 1 W BURLINGTON 40.48N 86.40W
05/28/2019 CARROLL IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
DISPTACH REPORTED SEVERAL ROADS IN
BURLINGTON HAD WATER FLOWING OVER THEM WITH
A FOCUS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN. TIME WAS
APPROXIMATE.
&&
AWPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
747 AM EDT WED MAY 29 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0532 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 N WILLIAMSPORT 40.29N 87.29W
05/28/2019 WARREN IN PUBLIC
SEVERAL 4 TO 6 INCH TREE LIMBS SNAPPED NEAR
OAKWOOD DRIVE IN WILLIAMSPORT. RELAYED VIA
SOCIAL MEDIA. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
&&
AWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
1103 AM EDT Wed May 29 2019
INZ061-067>069-291545-
Daviess IN-Knox IN-Martin IN-Greene IN-
1103 AM EDT Wed May 29 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL KNOX...NORTHERN MARTIN...
SOUTHEASTERN GREENE AND DAVIESS COUNTIES UNTIL 1145 AM EDT...
At 1103 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles west of Washington, or 9 miles east of Vincennes, moving
northeast at 45 mph.
Half inch hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Vincennes, Washington, Bloomfield, Bicknell, Loogootee, Odon, Lyons,
Elnora, Monroe City, Wheatland, Bruceville, Plainville, Sandborn,
Montgomery, Edwardsport, Newberry, Crane, Cannelburg, Indian Springs
and West Boggs Lake.
LAT...LON 3854 8735 3854 8737 3851 8737 3854 8738
3854 8740 3853 8741 3854 8743 3853 8744
3866 8760 3868 8753 3871 8752 3912 8687
3891 8668 3882 8668 3853 8715 3855 8720
3854 8722 3854 8725 3853 8726 3851 8730
TIME...MOT...LOC 1503Z 235DEG 39KT 3865 8733
AW/MKThe Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 51 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:04 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Several trees were uprooted in town due to strong thunderstorm wind gusts and a saturated ground.
A trained spotter reported several power poles down and a few trees uprooted in Washington due to strong thunderstorm wind gusts and a saturated ground. A 40 mph wind gust was noted nearby in Washington.
Flooding, up to two feet of water in spots, was observed on State Route 63 from the Vigo-Sullivan County line south to State Route 48 due to heavy thunderstorm rainfall.
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, May 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: 831805, 831806, 831808.