An isolated strong storm produced large hail across Tippecanoe county during the evening hours of September 8th. A frontal boundary was located north of the forecast area and a thunderstorm formed as a result of afternoon heating.
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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 isolated strong storm produced large hail across Tippecanoe county during the evening hours of September 8th. A frontal boundary was located north of the forecast area and a thunderstorm formed as a result of afternoon heating. This storm rapidly grew in height before briefly producing hail up to golf balls. The night before, a complex of storms moved over north central Indiana which brought heavy rain to portions of Tipton and Howard counties. This rain brought flooding to the town of Windfall.
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 Sep 7, 10:00 PM EST, 1 hour 24 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 1100 PM EDT Mon Sep 7 2020 .UPDATE... The AVIATION Section has been updated below. && .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 410 PM EDT Mon Sep 7 2020 The threat of isolated to scattered showers/thunderstorms will continue north of I-70 through midnight as a slowly-approaching front stalls across north-central Indiana tonight. A humid morning Tuesday will welcome summer like conditions through Wednesday...with widespread 85-90F heat, but only slight chances of showers/thunderstorms for the far northwestern counties. Thursday will then see a pattern change to seasonably cool mornings and warm afternoons for the remainder of the period...although chances of showers/thunderstorms exist for next weekend as an upper-level disturbance crosses the Mid-West. && .NEAR TERM /Overnight/... Issued at 1005 PM EDT Mon Sep 7 2020 Convection has refocused over the last hour or two near and just north of the boundary currently draped across the far northern portions of the forecast area. Clouds covered the northern half of central Indiana with clearing further south. 02Z temperatures were generally in the 70s. Convection has steadily increased since 0030Z from northern Missouri and southern Iowa east across Illinois and into north central Indiana along an axis of moderate instability and aided by increasing low level flow which is aiding in broad moisture transport into the region. Expect the convection along this axis to only increase further and consolidate over the next few hours with increasing 925-850mb winds interacting with the boundary and aligning with the instability and deep PWAT axis. Have increased pops over the northern third of the forecast area through about 05Z as a result. While a few strong storms will be likely with small hail and gusty winds aided by modest BL shear...the primary concern will be heavy rainfall and localized flooding as some of the far northern sections of the forecast area have already seen 1 to 2 inches of rain from earlier storms. The boundary will gradually lift north of the forecast area overnight with convection shifting north with the front. Will pull pops back from south to north after 06Z. The remainder of the night will be warm and muggy for much of central Indiana. Zone and grid updates out. && .SHORT TERM /Tuesday through Thursday/... Issued at 410 PM EDT Mon Sep 7 2020 Confidence is building that the frontal boundary will remain stationary across north-central Indiana Tuesday-Wednesday, allowing mostly sunny skies and light, generally southerly winds to bring unseasonable high readings and moderate humidity to the region. A ridge of surface high pressure is progged to then build over the Great Lakes late Wednesday, backing the winds along the southern Great Lakes to a more northerly direction. This will then push the once-stationary frontal boundary southward across Indiana Wednesday night, bringing a transition to more typical early-September weather on Thursday. While this change should be without precipitation, considerable cloudiness will develop over the northern counties along the gradient of the surface high pressure as it tracks more to the east over the northern Mid-West than pushes south. Morning low temperatures for the period will be in the low to mid 60's. Afternoon highs will reach the upper 80's to near 90 Tuesday- Wednesday, before moderating to 75-85 for Thursday. && .LONG TERM /Thursday night through Monday/... Issued at 238 PM EDT Mon Sep 7 2020 Models in good agreement that the strong upper low will lift from the Rockies to the northern Plains on Friday. The 12z ECMWF is now just slightly slower moving this feature over the Great Lakes. Surface high pressure will be over the area Thursday night through Friday night which should result in dry weather per the blend. Saturday and Saturday night, the upper low will open up over the Great Lakes and phase with the northern stream flow. This will push a cold front through Central Indiana late in the weekend and support at least scattered convection by Saturday. The Instability progs hint and some weak instability, so added thunder. After the front and upper system move off to the southeast and east respectively, a dry front will drop down into the Great Lakes. Lingering showers can not be ruled out closer to the first front, over southeastern parts Sunday and possibly beyond. Blend slightly below normal temperatures look reasonable. With better model agreement than in days past with this system, confidence is improved. && .AVIATION /Discussion for the 080600Z TAF Issuance/... Issued at 1100 PM EDT Mon Sep 7 2020 Restrictions possible over the next few hours at KLAF within convection...otherwise VFR conditions are largely expected through the period. Convection has blossomed near the northward retreating boundary over north central Indiana this evening and in the vicinity of both the instability and precipitable water axes. Convection will shift north of the terminals with the front overnight...but will maintain VCTS at KLAF through 09Z. Heights aloft will rise in tandem with weak surface ridging to bring mainly clear skies on Tuesday with predominant S/SE flow as the frontal boundary shifts to the northwest of the region. Likely to see some diurnal cu in the afternoon. && .IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...NONE. && SYNOPSIS...AGM NEAR TERM...Ryan SHORT TERM...AGM LONG TERM....MK AVIATION...Ryan
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 623 PM EDT Mon Sep 7 2020 INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-065-082230- 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-Decatur- 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, and Greensburg 623 PM EDT Mon Sep 7 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Outlook: A few strong to severe storms possible this evening and during the early overnight hours. Hazards: Lightning, brief heavy rain, isolated damaging winds, and large hail. Timing: This evening through the overnight hours. Discussion: A frontal boundary will slowly meander across north central Indiana. A few strong to severe storms are possible during the evening hours with storm chances diminishing after midnight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Outlook: A few storms possible across the northwestern counties tomorrow. Dry Wednesday through Friday with storms returning Friday night. Discussion: Generally dry conditions through the rest of the work week with small chances for rain in the northwestern counties which will be closest to the front. High temperatures will rise into the upper 80s Tuesday and Wednesday with heat indices of 90 to 95. Storm chances return this weekend as a system moves through the area. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this evening. .STORM MOTION STATEMENT... The expected storm motion is from the west at around 30 MPH. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found at http://weather.gov/ind INZ060>064-067>072-082230- Sullivan-Greene-Monroe-Brown-Bartholomew-Knox-Daviess-Martin- Lawrence-Jackson-Jennings- Including the cities of Sullivan, Linton, Bloomfield, Bloomington, Nashville, Columbus, Vincennes, Washington, Loogootee, Shoals, Bedford, Mitchell, Seymour, Brownstown, and North Vernon 623 PM EDT Mon Sep 7 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Outlook: No hazardous weather is expected at this time. Discussion: Showers and storms are expected to stay to the north, but a brief light shower can't be ruled out this afternoon. Temperatures will rise into the upper 80s with heat indices near 90. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Outlook: A few storms possible this weekend. Discussion: Generally dry conditions through the rest of the work week. High temperatures will rise into the upper 80s Tuesday and Wednesday with heat indices of 90 to 95. Storm chances return this weekend as a system moves through the area. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found at http://weather.gov/ind
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
750 PM EDT Mon Sep 7 2020
INZ048-049-056-057-080030-
Rush IN-Henry IN-Shelby IN-Hancock IN-
750 PM EDT Mon Sep 7 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN SHELBY...SOUTHERN
HANCOCK...NORTHERN RUSH AND SOUTHWESTERN HENRY COUNTIES UNTIL 830 PM
EDT...
At 749 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Greenfield, or 13 miles north of Shelbyville, moving east at 20 mph.
Penny size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Greenfield, Knightstown, Morristown, Carthage, Lewisville, Straughn,
Spring Lake, Dunreith and Mays.
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 3979 8530 3966 8530 3967 8586 3980 8587
3984 8529 3979 8529
TIME...MOT...LOC 2349Z 268DEG 18KT 3972 8578
RyanSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 814 PM EDT Mon Sep 7 2020 INZ048-056-057-080100- Rush IN-Shelby IN-Hancock IN- 814 PM EDT Mon Sep 7 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN SHELBY... SOUTHEASTERN HANCOCK AND CENTRAL RUSH COUNTIES UNTIL 900 PM EDT... At 813 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9 miles southeast of Greenfield, or 11 miles northeast of Shelbyville, moving east at 20 mph. Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Rushville, Morristown, Carthage, Glenwood, Mays and Arlington. 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 3966 8576 3978 8574 3974 8530 3953 8530 TIME...MOT...LOC 0013Z 286DEG 16KT 3968 8569 Ryan
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 1020 PM EDT Mon Sep 7 2020 INZ038>040-080300- Tipton IN-Madison IN-Hamilton IN- 1020 PM EDT Mon Sep 7 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN MADISON...NORTHERN HAMILTON AND SOUTHERN TIPTON COUNTIES UNTIL 1100 PM EDT... At 1020 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Tipton, or 17 miles south of Kokomo, moving east at 20 mph. Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Anderson, Elwood, Tipton, Cicero, Edgewood, Frankton, Arcadia, Atlanta, Orestes and River Forest. 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 4018 8620 4032 8615 4030 8571 4008 8573 TIME...MOT...LOC 0220Z 277DEG 18KT 4022 8610 Ryan
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
1215 AM EDT TUE SEP 8 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1200 AM HEAVY RAIN WINDFALL 40.36N 85.96W
09/08/2020 M5.40 INCH TIPTON IN TRAINED SPOTTER
&&The Indianapolis radar (KIND), 77 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:25 UTC.
2 hail, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Standing water across several roads in the town of Windfall. A car stalled in standing water along State Road 213.
Mostly nickel sized but a few were up to the size of golf balls.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Indiana, September 2020
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: 909368, 909366, 909367.