Tornadoes and Hail in Ohio, April 8 to 9, 2020

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
755 PM EDT Wed Apr 8 2020

.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front will cross the region tonight and bring one more
round of showers and thunderstorms. A few showers will follow
Thursday and Thursday evening, with temperatures about 20
degrees cooler from today's highs expected on Thursday and
Friday.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THURSDAY MORNING/...
Tornado Watch #91 is now in effect for a portion of the NWS
Wilmington OH forecast area.

Current surface analysis indicates a cold front extends from
near Chicago to the southwest, with a wave of low pressure along
the front in central Illinois, soon to move east into western
Indiana. There is also a well-defined 850mb wave riding
basically along with the front, and favorable divergence aloft
ahead of a very well defined 500mb jet streak. Large scale
ascent ahead of these features has led to lots of convection
developing within the warm sector -- discrete cells in and near
southern Illinois, and clusters of cells (with a few isolated
supercells) closer to the cold front further north. Over the
next few hours, as these storms make their way into the ILN CWA,
these storms are expected to continue to grow upscale into a
linear feature (perhaps a bowing MCS) with some potential for
continued discrete development ahead of it. The model signal has
been very consistent with regards to MCS/bow/QLCS type storm
morphology affecting the southwestern quadrant of the ILN CWA in
the 02Z-03Z time frame, then spreading ESE from there in the
04Z-06Z time frame. This forecast still appears to be on track.

The biggest question mark with regards to the severe threat
tonight is with low-level moisture. Dewpoints mixed out
impressively today, with T/Td depressions of over 30F being
observed all across the ILN forecast area. Looking at model
theta-e projections, it is clear that there will be an
impressive but short-lived surge of moisture coming into the
area, but only in the 2-3 hours immediately before the storms
arrive. With light and variable winds observed in the Cincinnati
area at 7PM, it is expected that this switch to SSW flow is
about to begin. If the boundary layer is not able to appreciably
moisten, surface-based instability may be somewhat limited by
inhibition. This would end up supporting an outflow-dominant
storm mode and in that case, the dry air could actually end up
exacerbating the threat for strong wind. What will keep these
storms strong, regardless of the above, is the combination of
strong forcing, strong deep-layer shear, and steep mid-level
lapse rates. Though the questions about boundary layer stability
may also inhibit tornado potential, the 0-1km shear (which does
include some turning very low to the ground) is at least a
little bit concerning, along with the presence of the surface
wave and a pseudo-warm frontal boundary that the storms might be
running along.

Ultimately, the main issue tonight is expected to be a wind
damage threat, with at least some potential for swaths of
significant wind damage.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
Temperatures will be hard pressed to recover more than a handful
of degrees on Thursday given the cold advection and northwest
winds 15-20 mph gusting to 30 mph. This will make it feel a
good 10-15 degrees colder than ambient temperatures. After our
past few days of high temps in the 70s, it will definitely feel
blustery.

Highs will range from the upper 40s to lower 50s, maxing out
around noon or the early afternoon. Cold air may also present
enough overturning in the daytime for some scattered showers.

During the evening, an area of showers is expected to cross nnw
to sse as an energetic upper trough oriented w-e crosses in the
early evening. The upper dynamics will help to push a secondary
surface pressure trough/wind shift southward ahead of it.

Low temperatures will be fairly uniform with a good wnw wind
overnight, ranging from 33-35 for most of the area. This could
present an issue with a freeze warning becoming necessary, but
there is not any real threat of frost given the wind speed.
Given expected convective weather tonight, will not include
mention of this potential freeze until after this threat is
over.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Surface high pressure will build east across the Tennessee Valley to
the Carolina Coast Friday into Saturday. This will keep us mainly
dry and cool through the end of the week. Temperatures on Friday
will be 10 to 15 degrees below normal with highs in the mid 40s to
lower 50s. Friday night will also be cool with lows in the lower 30s
and areas of frost likely.

Mid level short wave energy will eject out of the southern Plains
Saturday night into Sunday helping to carve out a broad upper level
trough over much of the CONUS through mid week. An associated
strengthening surface low will lift northeast across the Ohio
Valley/Great Lakes region Sunday night into Monday. Models continue
to struggle with the timing/placement/strength of the surface low
but both the GEFS and ECMWF means keep the surface low just off to
our west as it tracks up toward the Great Lakes. This will lead to
an increasing chance of showers Sunday into Sunday night and will
allow for some categorical pops to overspread the region. Degree of
destabilization is somewhat in doubt ahead of the low, but given the
possible strength of the low, will at least allow for a slight
chance of thunder. Ahead of the low, temperatures will moderate
through the weekend. Highs on Saturday will be in 50s, with highs on
Sunday in the upper 50s to lower 60s.

There are a lot of model differences late in the period. Will hang
on to some lower end pops given the upper level trough and potential
for weak disturbances working through. This will also result in well
below normal temperatures through mid week.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Two main concerns for the TAFs in the next 24 hours.

First is the potential for thunderstorms tonight. Storms are
expected to move across the TAF sites between 02Z and 06Z. There
is high confidence in thunderstorms with IFR conditions
occurring at KCVG/KLUK/KILN, and moderate confidence at
KDAY/KCMH/KLCK. In addition, the storms at KCVG/KLUK/KILN may
produce strong to severe winds. Gusts have been included in
tempo groups at these airports, and these gusts may need to be
increased in future forecasts.

Some MVFR ceilings and continuing showers are expected behind
the storms, and after a few hours, a front will move through the
area. This front will switch winds to the northwest, and these
winds will then gradually increase through the rest of the
overnight and into tomorrow. This is the second item of concern
for the TAFs. VFR conditions are expected tomorrow, but as wind
gusts continue to increase, they will get to around 30 knots.
There is some chance of winds exceeding 35 knots, and thus these
wind gusts tomorrow morning/afternoon may need to be increased
in future TAFs as well.

Some clouds and a chance of showers will move back into the
airports late tomorrow afternoon / tomorrow evening, but VFR
conditions are expected.

OUTLOOK...MVFR conditions and thunderstorms are possible Sunday
and Sunday night. Gusty winds are possible on Monday.

&&

.ILN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OH...None.
KY...None.
IN...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...Franks
NEAR TERM...Hatzos
SHORT TERM...Franks
LONG TERM...JGL
AVIATION...Hatzos

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
414 PM EDT Wed Apr 8 2020

INZ066-073>075-080-KYZ089>100-OHZ077>079-091200-
Franklin IN-Ripley-Dearborn-Ohio-Switzerland-Carroll-Gallatin-Boone-
Kenton-Campbell-Owen-Grant-Pendleton-Bracken-Robertson-Mason-Lewis-
Hamilton-Clermont-Brown-
414 PM EDT Wed Apr 8 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Southeast Indiana, Northeast
Kentucky, Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Thunderstorms will move southeast across the region later this
evening into the early morning hours. Damaging winds, large hail,
heavy rainfall, and isolated tornadoes will be possible with the
storms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Frost will be possible Friday night into Saturday morning as
temperatures drop into the lower 30s.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed, while following all local,
state and CDC guidelines.

INZ050-058-059-OHZ042-051>054-060>064-070>074-080>082-088-091200-
Wayne-Fayette IN-Union IN-Darke-Miami-Champaign-Clark-Madison-Preble-
Montgomery-Greene-Fayette OH-Pickaway-Butler-Warren-Clinton-Ross-
Hocking-Highland-Adams-Pike-Scioto-
414 PM EDT Wed Apr 8 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for East Central Indiana, Central
Ohio, South Central Ohio, Southwest Ohio and West Central Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Thunderstorms will move southeast across the region later this
evening into the early morning hours. Damaging winds, large hail,
heavy rainfall and an isolated tornado will be possible with the
storms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Frost will be possible Friday night into Saturday morning as
temperatures drop into the lower 30s.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed, while following all local, state
and CDC guidelines.

OHZ026-034-035-043>046-055-056-065-091200-
Hardin-Mercer-Auglaize-Shelby-Logan-Union OH-Delaware-Franklin OH-
Licking-Fairfield-
414 PM EDT Wed Apr 8 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Central Ohio and West Central
Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Thunderstorms will be possible later this evening into the early
morning hours. Damaging winds and large hail are the main threat,
but a tornado can not be ruled out.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Frost will be possible Friday night into Saturday morning as
temperatures drop into the lower 30s.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed, while following all local, state
and CDC guidelines.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
920 PM EDT Wed Apr 8 2020

OHZ034-035-042-043-051-060-090200-
Auglaize OH-Darke OH-Shelby OH-Preble OH-Mercer OH-Miami OH-
920 PM EDT Wed Apr 8 2020

...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SHELBY...DARKE...
AUGLAIZE...MERCER AND NORTHWESTERN MIAMI COUNTIES UNTIL 1000 PM
EDT...

At 919 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a line
extending from 9 miles east of Geneva to 10 miles southeast of
Muncie, moving east at 60 mph. These storms have had a history of
producing strong wind gusts around 50 mph.

STORM HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Winds to 50 mph...
Pea size hail...

Locations impacted include...
Sidney, Piqua, Greenville, Celina, Wapakoneta, St. Marys, Coldwater,
New Bremen, Minster, Versailles, Covington, St. Henry, Arcanum,
Newport, Cridersville, Bradford, Union City, Anna, Fort Loramie and
Jackson Center.

This includes I-75 in Ohio between mile markers 84 and 117.

Residents in these areas should remain alert. If these storms become
stronger, then a warning may be needed.

To report hazardous weather conditions, go to our website at
weather.gov/iln and submit your report via social media, when you can
do so safely.

LAT...LON 4065 8388 4064 8388 4053 8396 4053 8399
      4049 8399 3992 8440 3991 8481 4063 8480
TIME...MOT...LOC 0119Z 264DEG 57KT 4060 8479 4007 8528

McGinnis

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
948 PM EDT WED APR 8 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0940 PM     HAIL             CONNERSVILLE            39.66N 85.14W
04/08/2020  M0.50 INCH       FAYETTE            IN   EMERGENCY MNGR

&&

JEG

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
949 PM EDT WED APR 8 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0943 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 N CONNERSVILLE        39.67N 85.14W
04/08/2020                   FAYETTE            IN   AMATEUR RADIO

            TWO LARGE TREES DOWN ON WESTERN AVENUE. ROADS ARE
            CURRENTLY BLOCKED.

&&

JEG

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
954 PM EDT WED APR 8 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0953 PM     TSTM WND GST     KHLB BATESVILLE APT     39.34N 85.26W
04/08/2020  M46 MPH          FRANKLIN           IN   AWOS

&&

JEG

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
956 PM EDT Wed Apr 8 2020

OHZ042>044-051>053-090245-
Champaign OH-Darke OH-Logan OH-Shelby OH-Clark OH-Miami OH-
956 PM EDT Wed Apr 8 2020

...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SHELBY...WESTERN
CHAMPAIGN...CENTRAL LOGAN...SOUTHEASTERN DARKE...NORTHWESTERN CLARK
AND MIAMI COUNTIES UNTIL 1045 PM EDT...

At 956 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a line
extending from near Botkins to near New Madison, moving east at 50
mph.

STORM HAZARDS INCLUDE...
Winds to 50 mph...
Pea size hail...

Locations impacted include...
Troy, Sidney, Piqua, Bellefontaine, Greenville, Tipp City, New
Carlisle, West Milton, Versailles, Covington, Arcanum, St. Paris,
Newport, Bradford, West Liberty, Anna, Fort Loramie, Jackson Center,
Russells Point and De Graff.

This includes I-75 in Ohio between mile markers 66 and 105.

Residents in these areas should remain alert. If these storms become
stronger, then a warning may be needed.

To report hazardous weather conditions, go to our website at
weather.gov/iln and submit your report via social media, when you can
do so safely.

LAT...LON 4047 8355 3992 8406 3992 8477 4038 8435
      4038 8434 4040 8434 4048 8426
TIME...MOT...LOC 0156Z 272DEG 42KT 4044 8422 3993 8464

McGinnis