Weak cold front approached the region with very warm and moist airmass ahead of it. Broken line of storm clusters impacted mainly our southern and eastern areas with damaging wind gusts.
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.
Weak cold front approached the region with very warm and moist airmass ahead of it. Broken line of storm clusters impacted mainly our southern and eastern areas with damaging wind gusts.
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 Jul 19, 12:34 PM EST, 1 hour 56 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
134 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 134 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
Showers and thunderstorms will continue across the area this
afternoon, eventually shifting south and east by this evening as a
cold front sweeps through. Drier and less humid conditions are
then expected overnight into Monday.
&&
.UPDATE...
Issued at 1054 AM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
As previously feared convection continues from central IL into
our NW zones this morning on leading edge of very rich theta-e
plume. Much of this remains elevated and severe risk is low in our
area with our northwest zones shrouded in clouds and less
favorable environment across extreme southern MI and northern IN.
Anticipate this will continue to fester through the next few hours
but expect a gradual weakening trend as storms move into the
Michiana region. Heavy rain will be the main concern given
training of storms and very moist environment as noted below.
This will have significant implications for the afternoon severe
threat. Convective overturning and abundant cloud cover will limit
the severe threat along/north of US-24 later today but
environment south of US-24 remains less effected. Still some
uncertainty as to when exactly updrafts can really take off (could
be confined to our extreme SE zones during the evening hours as
suggested by the HRRR) but still think US-24 is a good dividing
line beginning around 21Z. Much of the discussion below remains
valid concerning ingredients and threats...just a matter of
watching the environment in our SE and the evolution of
convection during the day to see if any severe storms can develop
there. Morning storms and clouds do raise concerns about the NW
extent of heat advisory but still expect criteria to be met in our
SE and no changes planned just yet. May be able to trim some
counties this afternoon.
&&
.SHORT TERM...(Today and Tonight)
Issued at 405 AM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
A complicated short term forecast in terms of convective/severe
potential today, with other forecast concern centering on the
ongoing heat headlines. The heat advisory has been continued for
today, with a small group of counties added north of the existing
advisory.
Light showers have developed over the past several hours
across northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana, appearing to be
more tied to mid level theta-e gradient shifting eastward across
the southern Great Lakes. Initially, not a great deal of
instability to work with over next few hours as steeper 850-700 mb
lapse rates have effectively increased lifted parcel levels. A
more organized, linear convective complex continues to track
across central/northern Wisconsin with some southwestward
development along frontal boundary/outflow boundary into southwest
Wisconsin past few hours. This southward building trend may
continue through daybreak given abundant MLCAPE persisting across
the Mid MS Valley region and will need to watch for possible
convection affecting far NW Indiana/southern Lower Michigan just
after daybreak. Overall however, this convection across Wisconsin
may take a more forward propagating preference across
central/northern Lower MI given more favorable shear parameters
across these locations. Another convective complex has taken shape
across the central Plains where stronger low level convergence
has been enhanced with stronger southerly low level jet impinging
on the frontal zone. Any smaller scale MCV emanating from this
overnight convection may need to be watched for possibly making
into it local area this afternoon given W-SW steering flow.
After the light showers through daybreak, may need to watch for some
stronger convection developing across far western locations in the
13Z-16Z timeframe as westerly low level flow begins to advect richer
low level theta-e air from northern Illinois eastward in pre-frontal
environment. Generally not expecting this activity to pose much of
any severe threat however. The main concern continues to be in the
18z-00Z timeframe as forcing from broad northern stream trough and
associated cool front and remnant outflows become more of a player.
As mentioned, may also need to monitor convective trends across west
central Illinois later this morning, for possible MCV influence
this afternoon. Local area does still appear to be on southern
periphery of better height falls with the northern stream trough,
but as previous forecast mentioned, low level convergence
with approaching frontal zone and outflow boundary influence should
be enough coupled with moderate to strong buoyancy for scattered
to numerous showers and storms to develop this afternoon. Most
favored area still looks to be in the southeast half of the area
given timing of above forcing mechanisms during peak heating, but
the only caveat to this would be if a more pronounced MCV does
form across western Illinois that could pose risk farther north
and west than current outlook.
Parameters in this setup still look consistent from previous
forecast cycles with good deal of instability and more marginal deep
layer shear profiles on the order of 20-30 knots. Unidirectional
W-SW flow profiles and precip loading would be supportive of
sporadic damaging downburst winds. With deep unidirectional flow
profiles, MBE velocities also become quite small for a time which
could pose a threat for some training of cells this afternoon.
This would be a concern for localized heavy rainfall given PWATs
pooling in excess of 2 inches. Primary severe threat appears to be
damaging winds, but even with high freezing levels/wet bulb zero
heights, magnitude of instability could support at least isolated
instances of large hail. No change made to previous SWODY1 Slight
Risk for southeast portions of the forecast area with still an
overall Medium confidence level given some lingering questions
with extent of large scale mid/upper level support, marginal shear
profiles, and dependence on mesoscale factors evolving this
morning. Severe threat should begin to wane after 00Z or 01Z
period as front slips southeast of the area.
With some question as to timing of any upstream outflows this
morning/early afternoon, did opt to go ahead and extend heat
advisory a row of counties northward with gridded forecast
indicating heat indices around 100 for these locations. Given recent
dew point trends, could see some heat indices approach 105 this
afternoon across the southeast.
Cooler and less humid air advects southeast into the area tonight.
Enough residual low level moisture could persist along and south of
Route 24 early Monday morning for some patchy fog but will hold
off with low confidence.
&&
.LONG TERM...(Monday through Saturday)
Issued at 405 AM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
Transition to a more stable pattern for Monday into first part of
Tuesday as low level front drops south of the area. Next
substantial northern stream wave will work across Upper MS Valley
Tuesday-Wednesday allowing for theta-e gradient to retreat back
northward. This should set up a fairly good instability gradient
from south to north Tuesday with renewed convective potential Tue-
Wed. Forecast confidence in convective chances dwindles sharply
post-Wednesday. Medium range guidance does indicate amplification
of central CONUS ridging during this period which could put
southern Great Lakes/Ohio Valley region in susceptible zone for
waves spilling over the ridge for additional shower and storm
chances late in the period. Seasonable temperatures are expected
through much of the period with some periodic frontal intrusions
expected.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Monday Afternoon)
Issued at 134 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
Difficult first few hours of the TAF even with convection knocking
on our door. Morning showers and storms have likely reduced the
overall threat for additional storms at KSBN. Enough concern to
warrant keeping VCTS in, but have removed thunder from the tempo
group. Barring any reorganization, no more than rain and maybe
some brief MVFR cigs/vsby is expected through 21Z or so. Bigger
challenge is at KFWA with a well organized line of storms well
west and south of the site. Overall trends the past hour has been
for this to move east but also showing some SE tendencies. This
could result in KFWA missing the bulk of the thunder activity as
well. Given somewhat better conditions still in place at KFWA have
moved timing up somewhat and kept with thunder. If trends continue
and main threat will pass south then amendment will be warranted.
After 00Z everything is said and done with VFR conditions to
dominate behind the cold front that will bring NW winds and quiet
conditions through 18Z Mon.
&&
.IWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IN...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ this evening for INZ008-
009-012>018-020-022>027-032>034.
Beach Hazards Statement until 7 PM CDT this evening for INZ003.
MI...Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for MIZ077.
OH...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for OHZ001-002-004-005-
015-016-024-025.
LM...Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for LMZ043-046.
&&
UPDATE...AGD
SYNOPSIS...Marsili
SHORT TERM...Marsili
LONG TERM...Marsili
AVIATION...Fisher
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www.youtube.com/NWSNorthernIndianaHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Northern Indiana 455 AM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020 INZ003>007-MIZ078>081-200900- La Porte-St. Joseph IN-Elkhart-Lagrange-Steuben-Cass MI- St. Joseph MI-Branch-Hillsdale- 455 AM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020 /355 AM CDT Sun Jul 19 2020/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Heat indices are expected to rise into the mid and upper 90s today. Scattered thunderstorms are expected today. Some of the storms this afternoon may be severe with isolated to scattered damaging wind gusts as the potential main threat. Isolated large hail and locally heavy rainfall are also possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Additional thunderstorms are possible Tuesday and Wednesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon. INZ008-009-012>018-020-022>027-032>034-OHZ001-002-004-005-015-016- 024-025-200900- Noble-De Kalb-Starke-Pulaski-Marshall-Fulton IN-Kosciusko-Whitley- Allen IN-White-Cass IN-Miami-Wabash-Huntington-Wells-Adams-Grant- Blackford-Jay-Williams-Fulton OH-Defiance-Henry-Paulding-Putnam- Van Wert-Allen OH- 455 AM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020 /355 AM CDT Sun Jul 19 2020/ ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON EDT /11 AM CDT/ TODAY TO 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Indiana and northwest Ohio. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Heat Advisory. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon into early this evening. Some of the storms may be severe with isolated to scattered damaging wind gusts as the potential main threat. Isolated large hail and locally heavy rainfall are also possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Additional thunderstorms are possible Tuesday and Wednesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed this afternoon. MIZ077-200900- Berrien- 455 AM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Michigan. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is a chance of thunderstorms today, mainly through mid afternoon. An isolated severe thunderstorm is possible with isolated damaging wind gusts and isolated large hail as the potential main threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. There is an increased swim risk for Lake Michigan beaches on Sunday. Additional thunderstorms are possible Tuesday and Wednesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is possible today. LMZ043-046-200900- New Buffalo MI to St Joseph MI-Michigan City IN to New Buffalo MI- 455 AM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the nearshore waters of southeastern Lake Michigan. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is a chance of thunderstorms through mid afternoon. A few storms may produce wind gusts in excess of 40 knots and some hail. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. There are periodic chances of thunderstorms through the week.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Northern Indiana 309 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020 OHZ002-191945- Fulton- 309 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EASTERN FULTON COUNTY... At 309 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Wauseon, moving east at 45 mph. Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Wauseon, Swanton, Delta, Brailey, Winameg, Ottokee and Assumption. This includes Interstate 80 in Ohio between mile markers 31 and 48. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They can relay your report to the National Weather Service office in Northern Indiana. && LAT...LON 4149 8422 4159 8424 4171 8388 4149 8388 TIME...MOT...LOC 1909Z 258DEG 37KT 4155 8409 HAIL...0.25 WIND...50MPH CM
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
311 PM EDT SUN JUL 19 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0223 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 NNE HUNTINGTON 40.90N 85.49W
07/19/2020 HUNTINGTON IN EMERGENCY MNGR
SPORADIC REPORTS OF ROUGHLY 6 INCH DIAMETER
TREE LIMBS DOWN JUST NORTH OF HUNTINGTON,
JUST NORTH OF MT ETNA AND AT COUNTY ROADS
300 N AND 300 E. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
&&
LWFPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
315 PM EDT SUN JUL 19 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0228 PM TSTM WND GST 4 SSW HUNTINGTON 40.83N 85.53W
07/19/2020 M46 MPH HUNTINGTON IN MESONET
MESONET STATION CW9663 HUNTINGTON.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
320 PM EDT SUN JUL 19 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0313 PM TSTM WND DMG LEO-CEDARVILLE 41.21N 85.02W
07/19/2020 ALLEN IN AMATEUR RADIO
FIRE DEPT RESPONDING TO REPORTS OF POWER
LINES DOWNED.
&&
MCDPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
323 PM EDT SUN JUL 19 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0315 PM TSTM WND DMG 4 S FORT WAYNE 41.02N 85.14W
07/19/2020 ALLEN IN AMATEUR RADIO
FIRE DEPT RESPONDING TO REPORT OF TREES AND
WIRES DOWN ON KINNERK RD NEAR WINCHESTER
ROAD.
&&
MCDPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
327 PM EDT SUN JUL 19 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0321 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 WSW LEO-CEDARVILLE 41.21N 85.04W
07/19/2020 ALLEN IN AMATEUR RADIO
FIRE DEPT RESPONDING TO TREES ON GERIG ROAD
NEAR HALTER RD.
&&
MCDThe Northern Indiana radar (KIWX), 113 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:30 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A couple of large limbs down on Seneca Street. One fell onto a power line.
A large tree limb downed across Euclid Avenue. Gas pump blew over on East 2nd Street.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Ohio in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Ohio, July 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: 912182, 912183.