Hail in Ohio, March 28, 2020

Name: Hail in Ohio, March 28, 2020
Start: 2020-03-28T07:45
End: 2020-03-28T08:20
Location: Ohio

March 28, 2020 · NWS IWX · 6 events in 3 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 6

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS IWX wrote it up.

A warm front was located across central Indiana and Ohio during the early morning hours of the 28th. An influx of moisture combined with marginal shear profiles and moderate instability all lead to several thunderstorms forming across portions of northwest Ohio. The elevated nature of these storms kept them confined to hail production, some of which reached golf ball size.

What forecasters said that day

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 Mar 28, 5:26 AM EST, 2 hours 19 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 28, 5:26 AM EST, 2 hours 19 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
626 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 620 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

Moderate showers are currently moving across southern MI and
northern IN. Another round of storms is moving in from the
southwest this morning. These storms will bring a risk for heavy
rain which could result in flooding or flash flooding. A Flash
Flood Watch is in effect through 11 AM. A few strong to severe
storms are also possible.

All modes of severe weather are possible this afternoon into
tonight including large hail, damaging wind gusts, and possibly a
few tornadoes. Strong winds are expected across the area late
tonight through Sunday. These winds will cause hazardous
conditions for small crafts on Lake Michigan and could result in
lakeshore flooding of near Lake Michigan counties. Minor to
moderate river flooding is possible through Wednesday.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(Today and Tonight)
Issued at 355 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

A strengthening low pressure system ejecting out of the central
plains will bring numerous thunderstorms to the forecast area today
and tonight, and potentially severe weather. As the warm front lifts
north this morning, elevated instability will be increasing.
Coverage could become widespread early as the 850mb jet and Theta-E
increases. MUCAPE will also be increasing up to around 1500 J/kg.
With bulk shear 50+ kts, strong rotating storms will be possible.
Due to the elevated nature of these storms, isolated large hail will
be the primary threat. There is a strong low-level inversion which
will limit the strong wind or tornado threat.

Heavy rain is also expected with these storms, which could
potentially lead to flash flooding, and the Flash Flood Watch has
been expanded to cover the northwest counties as well. Heavy rain
today will also lead to river rises, which could cause minor to
moderate flooding into Wednesday.

There may be a break in activity around midday as the warm front
stalls near the southern border of the CWA. The latest model runs
are consistent in continuing to show the front entering the area mid
to late afternoon and reaching southern Lower Michigan late evening.
There may not be much development in the warn sector during this
period, but some models are showing a few discreet supercells moving
through the area along the leading edge of the warm front. There
will be sufficient daytime heating remaining to allow surface
instability to rise towards 1000 J/kg as deep layer shear remains
incredibly high, and surface dewpoints in the lower to mid 60s
advect northward.

The next focus for severe weather will be ahead of the cold front as
it comes in from the west overnight. Storms will initially develop
over eastern Iowa and Missouri during the afternoon, and then
organize into a line as they push east. These long lived storms will
have the potential to bring all modes of severe weather, including a
few tornadoes given the favorable environment. The SPC Day 1 outlook
still shows the far western/southwestern counties would have the
highest risk for tornadoes and that as storms move further east they
will be encountering a gradually stabilizing environment. This
wouldn't rule out a continued severe risk across the eastern half of
the area, just a more narrow window for it to occur. Instability
significantly drops overnight as the cold front moves in.

&&

.LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday)
Issued at 355 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

The cold front will move east of the area Sunday morning, and tight
surface pressure gradients will allow winds to increase
substantially. Models continue to show strong winds of 25 to 35 mph
with gusts near 45 mph being possible. These high winds will make
conditions on Lake Michigan hazardous to small crafts, and a Gale
Watch is in effect. There is also potential for lakeshore flooding.
At this point, it does not appear to warrant a Lakeshore Flood
Warning as waves don't exceed 8ft. Will continue to monitor going
forward. There may also be a round of light showers across northern
Indiana and southern Michigan Sunday afternoon in wrap-around
moisture on the south side of the low, but rainfall amounts will be
minimal. Winds diminish late Sunday night as the low moves over the
eastern Great Lakes.

Brief high pressure ridging will favor dry conditions on Monday into
Tuesday. A low pressure system is then forecast to track to the
south on Tuesday for a quick shot of rain, but confidence is low,
and we may not see any precip. A weak wave is then expected
Wednesday night for a low chance of rain and snow. This could be
quickly followed by another disturbance Thursday night into Friday,
but there is a lot of model variability.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Sunday Morning)
Issued at 618 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

A warm front will move north today with the warm air spreading
northeast over a relatively shallow cold dome of air causing
showers and storms to develop rapidly before daybreak as theta E
surges northeast. Have adjusted the timing of the storms to a few
hours later to come more in line with the latest radar and
surface obs as well as the latest high resolution model guidance,
especially the HRRR. Otherwise, there should be a break in the
showers and storms later this morning as the front move north.
Have conditions improving to MVFR by noon before more activity
arrives ahead of the cold front this evening. The front will move
out over night and conditions should improve to VFR around 29/06Z,
but gusty southwest winds are expected.

&&

.IWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IN...Flash Flood Watch until noon EDT /11 AM CDT/ today for
     INZ003>005-008-009-012>018-020-022>027-032>034.

MI...Flash Flood Watch until noon EDT today for MIZ077-078.

OH...Flash Flood Watch until noon EDT today for OHZ004-005-015-016-
     024-025.

LM...Gale Warning from 5 AM to 11 PM EDT Sunday for LMZ043-046.

&&

SYNOPSIS...Cobb
SHORT TERM...Cobb
LONG TERM...Cobb
AVIATION...Skipper/Cobb

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Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 28, 3:48 AM EST, 3 hours 57 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
448 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

INZ003>005-008-009-012>018-020-022>027-032>034-MIZ077-078-OHZ004-005-
015-016-024-025-290900-
La Porte-St. Joseph IN-Elkhart-Noble-De Kalb-Starke-Pulaski-Marshall-
Fulton IN-Kosciusko-Whitley-Allen IN-White-Cass IN-Miami-Wabash-
Huntington-Wells-Adams-Grant-Blackford-Jay-Berrien-Cass MI-Defiance-
Henry-Paulding-Putnam-Van Wert-Allen OH-
448 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020 /348 AM CDT Sat Mar 28 2020/

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT /11 AM CDT/ TODAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Indiana, southwest
Michigan 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.

   Flash Flood Watch.

Thunderstorms are expected today and tonight.

Expect heavy rain, and possibly severe storms with large hail or
strong wind gusts, and perhaps a few tornadoes. The rainfall from
these storms may cause flooding of poor drainage areas and rises on
area rivers and streams.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Strong winds are expected Sunday. Wind gusts up to 45 mph are
possible. Winds diminish Sunday night.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

LMZ043-046-290900-
New Buffalo MI to St Joseph MI-Michigan City IN to New Buffalo MI-
448 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM TO 11 PM EDT SUNDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the nearshore waters of
southeastern Lake Michigan.

.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.

   Gale Warning.

Thunderstorms will persist today and tonight. The hazards associated
with the storms include large hail, damaging wind gusts, and
possibly a few tornadoes.

Windy conditions, with gales possible, are expected to develop late
tonight, which will be hazardous to small crafts.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Gale Warning.

Windy conditions, with gales possible, will last through Sunday
evening, which will be hazardous to small crafts.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

INZ006-007-MIZ079>081-OHZ001-002-290900-
Lagrange-Steuben-St. Joseph MI-Branch-Hillsdale-Williams-Fulton OH-
448 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Indiana, southwest
Michigan and northwest Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected today and tonight. The
hazards associated with the storms include hail, damaging wind gusts,
and possibly a few tornadoes. The rainfall from these storms may
cause flooding of poor drainage areas and rises on area rivers and
streams.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Strong winds are expected on Sunday. Wind gusts up to 45 mph are
possible. Winds diminish Sunday night.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 28, 6:54 AM EST, 51 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
754 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

INZ023>026-281230-
Miami-Wabash-Huntington-Wells-
754 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT WABASH...HUNTINGTON...
WELLS AND MIAMI COUNTIES...

At 754 AM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Mexico to near Montpelier. Movement
was northeast at 45 mph.

Winds in excess of 30 mph and penny size hail are possible with these
storms.

Locations impacted include...
Huntington, Peru, Wabash, Bluffton, Ossian, Grissom Afb, Andrews,
Markle, Bunker Hill, La Fontaine, Mexico, Wells, Warren, Lancaster,
Zanesville, Erie, Denver, Roann, Lagro and Uniondale.

This includes Interstate 69 in Indiana between mile markers 272 and
293.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4099 8614 4090 8507 4066 8511 4064 8613
TIME...MOT...LOC 1154Z 210DEG 40KT 4087 8605 4062 8530

HAIL...0.75IN
WIND...30MPH

MCS

Local storm report, Mar 28, 6:56 AM EST, 49 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
756 AM EDT SAT MAR 28 2020

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

0750 AM     HAIL             5 S PERU                40.68N 86.07W
03/28/2020  M0.25 INCH       MIAMI              IN   AMATEUR RADIO

0740 AM     HAIL             4 N MARION              40.61N 85.67W
03/28/2020  M0.75 INCH       GRANT              IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

Special weather statement, Mar 28, 7:07 AM EST, 38 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
807 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

INZ026-027-OHZ024-281245-
Adams-Wells-Van Wert-
807 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EAST CENTRAL WELLS...CENTRAL
ADAMS AND WESTERN VAN WERT COUNTIES...

At 807 AM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Bluffton,
moving east at 60 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Van Wert, Bluffton, Decatur, Convoy, Monroe, Ohio City, Middlebury,
Preble, Willshire, Wren, Vera Cruz, Magley, Craigville, Peterson,
Glenmore, Monmouth, Dull, Tocsin, Abanaka and Rivare.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4081 8518 4098 8461 4074 8451 4073 8460
      4073 8480 4070 8480 4065 8512
TIME...MOT...LOC 1207Z 255DEG 63KT 4073 8508

HAIL...0.88IN
WIND...40MPH

MCS

Local storm report, Mar 28, 7:14 AM EST, 31 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
814 AM EDT SAT MAR 28 2020

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

0756 AM     HAIL             3 SE BUNKER HILL        40.64N 86.06W
03/28/2020  E1.00 INCH       MIAMI              IN   PUBLIC

&&

CM

Local storm report, Mar 28, 7:23 AM EST, 22 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
823 AM EDT SAT MAR 28 2020

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

0800 AM     HAIL             BLUFFTON                40.74N 85.17W
03/28/2020  E0.70 INCH       WELLS              IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

CM

Special weather statement, Mar 28, 7:34 AM EST, 11 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
834 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

OHZ016-024-025-281300-
Allen-Putnam-Van Wert-
834 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PUTNAM...CENTRAL VAN WERT AND
NORTHERN ALLEN COUNTIES...

At 834 AM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Van Wert,
moving east at 55 mph.

Winds in excess of 30 mph and penny size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Van Wert, Delphos, Ottawa, Bluffton, Columbus Grove, Leipsic, Kalida,
Pandora, Glandorf, Ottoville, Ohio City, Middle Point, Cairo, Fort
Jennings, Gilboa, Venedocia, Wetzel, Vaughnsville, Rushmore and
Gomer.

This includes Interstate 75 between mile markers 137 and 141.

&&

LAT...LON 4074 8462 4092 8468 4099 8438 4099 8434
      4100 8434 4111 8388 4086 8388
TIME...MOT...LOC 1234Z 255DEG 49KT 4085 8454

HAIL...0.75IN
WIND...30MPH

MCS

The radar

The Northern Indiana radar (KIWX), 127 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 12:46 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Putnam

When: March 28, 7:45 AM EST to 7:46 AM EST
Where: Putnam County, 2.5 mi WSW of Ft Jennings
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.880, -84.320

Trained spotter reported hail from quarter to half dollar size.

Hail, Van Wert

When: March 28, 7:54 AM EST to 7:55 AM EST
Where: Van Wert County, Ohio City
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.770, -84.620

Emergency management officials related a photo of hail from a spotter. Most of the hail was around an inch but a few did approach one and one half inches in diameter.

Hail, Van Wert

When: March 28, 7:55 AM EST to 7:56 AM EST
Where: Van Wert County, 0.87 mi SW of Van Wert
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.860, -84.580

Hail, Putnam

When: March 28, 8:05 AM EST to 8:06 AM EST
Where: Putnam County, 0.52 mi W of Columbus Grove
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.920, -84.060

Hail, Allen

When: March 28, 8:15 AM EST to 8:16 AM EST
Where: Allen County, 2.76 mi N of Cairo
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.870, -84.080

Hail, Allen

When: March 28, 8:19 AM EST to 8:20 AM EST
Where: Allen County, 0.69 mi S of Cairo
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.820, -84.080

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Ohio in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history Warnings in Ohio, March 2020

Sources

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: 882850, 882851, 882853, 882854, 882855, 882856.