An organized west-to-east line of early morning thunderstorms tracked from east-central Illinois into central Indiana. Strong upper level winds and ample vertical wind shear combined with adequate instability to produce severe winds generally parallel to, and north of Interstate 70.
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.
An organized west-to-east line of early morning thunderstorms tracked from east-central Illinois into central Indiana. Strong upper level winds and ample vertical wind shear combined with adequate instability to produce severe winds generally parallel to, and north of Interstate 70. Strongest winds were found where the wind shear was best oriented to the squall line's progression: across the Indianapolis metro area and points east. A gustnado in Anderson (Madison County) also caused minor damage. The episode's strongest winds likely occurred in the evening when a more isolated thunderstorm impacted Rush County.
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 Aug 1, 5:55 AM EST, 55 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 655 AM EDT Mon Aug 1 2022 .Mesoscale Update... Issued at 655 AM EDT Mon Aug 1 2022 Convection over Illinois was able organize into an MCS. It is occurring ahead of an area of DCVA/forcing aloft and warm/moist advection regime in the lower troposphere. Strong midlevel flow (50+ kt at 700-mb) and effective shear of 30-40 knots as well as at least weak instability downstream should maintain convection into central Indiana. RAP has low-level theta-e advection increasing into central Indiana, and is likely driving isolated new cells ahead of the MCS now. This is a favorable scenario for continued MCS maintenance and so far only minimal cloud top cooling has been noted in longwave IR. Current thinking is the forward propagating portion of the MCS may weaken some as it outruns stronger midlevel flow and also moves out of the stronger instability. Nevertheless, the western flank remains active in west-central Illinois and will likely augment the cold front some making convective evolution into this afternoon somewhat uncertain. The most robust convection for at least the northern two- thirds of the area may very well occur with this early forward propagating system. Convection on the western flank may tend to weaken some before regenerating later this afternoon along remnant cold pool/differential mixing zone, posing a renewed threat for more robust convection. Regardless of whether current convection maintains, or new reinvigoration happens, diurnal destabilization should support forward propagating multi-cell clusters and a more organized wind threat, though this may primarily be south of our area. Current orientation of convection over western Illinois is somewhat concerning from a mesoscale flooding/flash flooding standpoint. We'll need to monitor the orientation of the effective boundary with mean flow and potential for upflank growth that trains. Although, early indications are that there should be enough of a orthogonal component of low-level flow for slow southward propagation with time which would limit the duration of heavier rates. Nevertheless, localized flooding across parts of our forecast area, particularly west-central and southwest Indiana, remain a possibility. && .Short Term...(Today through Tuesday) Issued at 255 AM EDT Mon Aug 1 2022 There is still some forecast uncertainty with regard to convective evolution today. We have attempted to add more precision to the forecast based on trends, but convective evolution, placement, severity, and timing will be dictated largely by mesoscale features. See meteorological analysis below. 6.9 micron water vapor imagery shows a shortwave trough and associated closed midlevel circulation moving trough over northern Wisconsin. A second smaller perturbation was seen moving into southwest Minnesota. Convection has formed in eastern Iowa along the leading edge of stronger DCVA with the first wave and its resultant warm/moist advection. So far, a robust cold pool/MCS has not evolved and there are some limiting factors for significant upscale growth. Nonetheless, midlevel flow is relatively strong and will likely carry convection through the diurnal instability minimum period, albeit in a weakened state. It should be focused at the leading edge of veered low-level jet and pronounced theta-e surge, which models persist into central Indiana early this morning. The chance of convection maintaining intensity/organization across the area through the morning currently appear low, and again we should see a downward trend in coverage and intensity as convection enters central Indiana during the early morning. Complicating factors for thunderstorm evolution across central Indiana midday and beyond include: (1) effects of weakening convection during the morning which based on latest trends should be fairly minimal, (2) DCVA/forcing moves through midday with some wake subsidence possible during the afternoon, (3) amplitude of the shortwave is low and so neutral midlevel heights may limit convective coverage to isolated/scattered along the front during the afternoon and evening. One caveat to point #2 and #3 is the subtle perturbation mentioned above that is modeled to arrive late afternoon or early evening. This may provide just enough ascent to help offset the negative factors. Nevertheless, it will probably still take rich PBL moisture and relatively deep mixing for convection to overcome inhibition and form along the front and/or differential mixing zones this afternoon. So, coverage likely won't peak until late in the afternoon or early evening across mainly southern portions of our forecast area. For convective hazards, the primary threat is expected to be damaging winds, given steep theta-e lapse rates and some dry entrainment in the middle part of the CAPE profile. Instability is expected to be moderate to strong, and 30-40-kt of effective shear will support organized multicells and perhaps a couple of weakly organized supercells. Hail may occur, but severe sizes should be limited to discrete/sustained modes, or quasi-supercells. Once cold pools start to merge shortly after initial development, the kinematic environment does favor forward propagation which may enhance the wind threat. The best chance of a more organized wind event will primarily be south of our area, closer to the Ohio River and into Kentucky, however. By early evening, the trailing front and/or outflow is shown in hi- res model guidance to become increasingly flow-parallel. Thus, some training of convective elements may occur leading to heavy rainfall and localized flooding. The signal for this in the CAMs is strongest across our southwest counties. This is a conditional threat and there are some limiting factors: (1) Mid levels may be dry enough to somewhat limit precipitation efficiency (deeper high level subtropical plume has shifted well south of our region). (2) Flow may be backed enough to orient favorably with cold pools for an eventual southward propagation, albeit slow. FLASH CREST soil moisture values are elevated across southern portions of central Indiana where the aforementioned scenario would be most likely (if it occurred). This is particularly true for portions of Knox and Daviess counties which has 7-day positive precipitation anomalies of 400 to 500 percent. One other note about today's forecast--we did increase winds and wind gusts from late morning through the afternoon due to expected magnitude of mixing and momentum transfer, per model forecast soundings. For Tuesday, departing waves, rising heights and low-level tropospheric warm advection should result in temperatures in the upper 80s to near 90 area wide. Remnant front will become diffuse to our west so there does not appear to be a focus for convective development Tuesday in central Indiana. Rich PBL moisture and mixing probably won't be enough to overcome capping warm layer expected to in this pattern. && .Long Term...(Tuesday night through Sunday) Issued at 255 AM EDT Mon Aug 1 2022 * Brief hot spell early in the long term. * Frequent shower/storm chances late week onward. Models continue to depict an upper level ridge dominating the central part of the continental U.S. throughout the long term, with some disagreement in how far north and east its influence reaches mid week. Nevertheless, a brief hot spell from the influence of this ridge continues to be expected primarily Wednesday, before the ridge axis again retrogrades slightly westward, allowing upper level disturbances and associated weak frontal systems cresting the ridge in the well poleward-displaced belt of primary westerlies to influence the region. The more substantial and most agreed-upon of these looks to arrive late Wednesday, with scattered showers and thunderstorms at times from Wednesday evening into Friday as the boundary slows and eventually washes out. Lower chances will be necessary at times over the weekend into early next week where there is more disagreement about the southward influence of the primary storm track. Temperatures will be above normal early in the period before cooling off to near normal for the remainder of the long term in the wake of the first frontal system and the retrogression of the upper ridge. && .Aviation...(12Z TAF Issuance) Issued at 550 AM EDT Mon Aug 1 2022 Impacts: * IFR to occasionally LIFR ceilings this morning; improving some by late morning. * Thunderstorms impacting TAF site this morning, with additional isolated storms this afternoon. * Gusty gradient winds from the southwest, as high as 25 knots. Discussion: Complicated aviation forecast due to thunderstorms and their impact on the the mesoscale environment. Current thinking is central Illinois MCS will continue to progress into Indiana and we have already amended TAFs to time potential thunderstorm impacts with these storms. Sufficient instability and relatively strong flow aloft should favor their sustenance through the morning. It remains unclear how the western flank and/or renewed convection will evolve this afternoon and so we will be fairly broad with timing and may need to refine with amendments. Outside of storms, gradient winds from the southwest could gust to around 25 knots at times this afternoon, especially where mixing is deepest (ahead of storms). A more persistent impact will be IFR to LIFR ceilings from stratus within the moisture advection regime. These could persist at least temporarily through early morning before some improvement occurs, though at least MVFR ceilings restrictions may continue until later today. && .IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && Mesoscale...BRB Short Term...BRB Long Term...Nield Aviation...BRB
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 352 AM EDT Mon Aug 1 2022 INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-020800- 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, Union City, Farmland, Parker City, Clinton, Fairview Park, Rockville, Montezuma, Rosedale, Greencastle, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Danville, Indianapolis, Greenfield, New Castle, Terre Haute, Brazil, Spencer, Gosport, Martinsville, Mooresville, Greenwood, Franklin, Shelbyville, Rushville, Sullivan, Carlisle, Shelburn, Farmersburg, Linton, Bloomfield, Jasonville, Worthington, Bloomington, Nashville, Columbus, Greensburg, Vincennes, Washington, Loogootee, Shoals, Bedford, Mitchell, Seymour, and North Vernon 352 AM EDT Mon Aug 1 2022 This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Thunderstorms are expected across portions of central Indiana today. Thunderstorms will likely enter western Indiana early this morning and progress eastward through midday. Strong wind gusts and lightning may accompany these storms. Additional isolated to scattered thunderstorm developments are expected to develop during the afternoon. The greatest concentration of thunderstorms late this afternoon and evening will be generally near and south of I-70. These storms will also be capable of strong wind gusts and lightning. Isolated severe storms are also possible with the primary threat being damaging wind gusts to around 60 mph. Heavy rainfall will accompany storms and could lead to localized flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Thunderstorm chances return for all or parts of the region Wednesday night through Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters may be needed today and tonight. && 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
738 AM EDT Mon Aug 1 2022
INZ043>045-051>053-011245-
Clay IN-Owen IN-Putnam IN-Parke IN-Vermillion IN-Vigo IN-
738 AM EDT Mon Aug 1 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Vigo, Clay, Owen,
Parke, Vermillion and Putnam Counties through 845 AM EDT...
At 737 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Newport to 7 miles northeast of Paris to
near Redmon. Movement was east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Newport around 745 AM EDT.
Clinton around 750 AM EDT.
Rockville around 755 AM EDT.
Other locations in the path of these storms include Terre Haute,
Brazil and Greencastle.
This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 1 and 46.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3993 8753 3990 8709 3987 8709 3986 8670
3934 8669 3917 8703 3917 8706 3938 8753
TIME...MOT...LOC 1137Z 290DEG 44KT 3990 8749 3970 8761 3959 8782
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
NieldThe Indianapolis radar (KIND), 98 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 11:50 UTC.
17 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees downed by thunderstorm wind gusts at residence. A few larger branches downed on vehicles.
Tree downed by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Trees downed by thunderstorm wind gusts between Rosedale Road and Gallagher Road.
Numerous medium to large tree limbs downed by thunderstorm wind gusts across Putnam county with most widespread damage near Roachdale. More than 1600 homes were without power.
Numerous trees downed by thunderstorm wind gusts on Camp Street near the elementary school. Powerlines were also affected by the tree damage.
Numerous reports of tree damage due to thunderstorm wind gusts across Hendricks county with most concentrated damage in Avon. Several larger trees were also either snapped or damaged, but most showed some amounts of rot.
A tree was downed by thunderstorm wind gusts and was completely blocking US 421 at Valley Meadow Drive. Power was also out across Zionsville.
Five homes damaged by downed trees and tree limbs due to thunderstorm wind gusts in Heatherwood Estates subdivision. Some of these trees went through the roofs.
Tree downed onto home by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Trees downed by thunderstorm wind gusts at the intersection of Raymond Street and Sherman drive.
Multiple trees downed onto power lines by thunderstorm wind gusts across Carmel.
Large tree downed by thunderstorm wind gusts at Bear Slide Golf Club.
A 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust was estimated at this location. A metal table was was flipped and mailbox post snapped at the same location. Nearby, a Bradford pair and numerous 2-4 inch tree limbs were snapped.
Large tree limbs downed by thunderstorm wind gusts at the intersection of Southport Road and Combs Road.
A 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust was estimated at this location.
Straight line winds of 60 to 70 mph downed trees in the area of County Road 200 North and Alexandria Pike. Some trees were downed onto homes. A brief gustnado on the leading edge of the gust front (outflow boundary) also occurred around 828 am EST; it was observed forming over Aqua Gardens Lake on this leading edge of the thunderstorm, before moving onto land in a northeast direction for approximately 1 mile. Larger branches were broken from both the straight line winds and the circulation associated with the gustnado. A few boards on a pier were lifted as well.
Multiple trees downed by thunderstorm wind gusts at 2 nearby homes. At one home the roof was partially lifted. A shed was also blown into a nearby field with the large lawnmower pushed downwind.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Indiana, August 2022
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: 1034478, 1034479, 1034480, 1034482, 1034483, 1034996, 1034491, 1034489, 1034492, 1034494, 1034496, 1034495, 1034498, 1034497, 1034499, 1034501, 1034590.