On March 3rd, 2023, a historically strong low pressure system moved across the lower Ohio Valley, bringing heavy rainfall, severe weather, and most notably, very strong gradient winds as it moved across the region. On the synoptic scale, a shortwave upper-level trough located over the mid-Mississippi Valley became negatively tilted during the morning hours of March 3rd.
Every event with a place to put it; 6 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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 LMK wrote it up.
On March 3rd, 2023, a historically strong low pressure system moved across the lower Ohio Valley, bringing heavy rainfall, severe weather, and most notably, very strong gradient winds as it moved across the region. On the synoptic scale, a shortwave upper-level trough located over the mid-Mississippi Valley became negatively tilted during the morning hours of March 3rd. A 120 knot 500 mb jet developed across central Kentucky and middle Tennessee in the presence of a very strong height gradient. The footprint of this jet core was transferred into the lower levels of the atmosphere, with a 70 knot jet at 850 mb present across the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. The orientation of the shortwave trough aloft with respect to the low level cyclone was nearly ideal for mutual amplification, with both the surface low and the upper trough undergoing deepening during the morning and early afternoon hours on March 3rd. Ultimately, the surface low's minimum central pressure dropped to approximately 976 millibars near Vincennes, Indiana by mid-afternoon on the 3rd, creating an anomalously strong low-level pressure and height gradient across central Kentucky and southern Indiana.
Before the severe weather and strong gradient winds began, the first impact from this strong mid-latitude cyclone would come in the form of heavy rainfall, primarily across southern Indiana. With the strong low-level jet helping to advect warm and moist air northward, precipitable water values were anomalously high, ranging from 1.3 to 1.6 inches across southern Indiana and central Kentucky during the morning hours on March 3rd. Coupled with an intensifying low level warm frontal boundary which provided a large-scale lifting mechanism, this axis of high moisture content contributed to a broad swath of precipitation, which lasted through much of the morning and early afternoon hours across southern Indiana. Ultimately, many locations would receive between 3 and 6 inches of rain over the span of about 12 hours, causing isolated to scattered reports of flooding.
After the initial wave of precipitation associated with the warm front lifted into central Indiana, southern Indiana and central Kentucky would briefly be located in the warm sector of the cyclone during the late morning and early afternoon hours, providing an opportunity for severe weather. Due to the proximity of the surface low and the relatively limited period for destabilization, instability was very limited for this event, with between 250-750 J/kg MLCAPE present across central Kentucky and southern Indiana. However, with the extremely strong dynamics in place, wind shear parameters were incredibly high. Effective bulk shear generally ranged from 70-100 kt, while effective Storm Relative Helicity ranged from 300-600 m2/s2. In addition, low-level Storm Relative Helicity was maximized (300-400 m2/s2) just ahead of a broken line of low-topped supercells which went on to produce three EF-1 tornadoes across southern Indiana. Across central Kentucky, the main severe impacts would come from damaging straight-line winds within a broken quasi-linear convective system. While limited instability clearly reduced the overall strength of the QLCS, some convective cores were deep enough to pull higher momentum air from aloft down to the surface, causing scattered damage and wind gusts above 58 mph. A few additional severe wind gusts would also be produced by the aforementioned line of low-topped supercells as they moved across southern Indiana and northern Kentucky.
While the heavy rainfall and severe weather were important aspects of this system, the most widespread impacts from this historic system would come from extremely strong gradient winds immediately following the passage of showers and storms along the surface cold front. As was previously mentioned, the rapid cyclogenesis as the surface low moved into western Kentucky and southwestern Indiana created an unusually strong pressure gradient across the region, even for cool season mid-latitude cyclones. This strong pressure gradient, combined with a brief period of steeper low-level lapse rates across central Kentucky thanks to temporary clearing in the wake of the cold front, helped to bring extremely strong winds and wind gusts to all of central Kentucky and most of southern Indiana. Widespread sustained winds of 30-40 mph and wind gusts of 60-80 mph were observed across the area, causing widespread tree and power line damage, as well as more scattered occurrences of structural damage. At one point, around half a million customers were without power across the state of Kentucky, with several counties seeing a temporary near-total loss in electrical service. As the mid-level cyclone moved overhead during the early evening hours, cloud cover would return, helping to reduce wind speeds and gusts somewhat, with conditions continuing to calm through the overnight hours into the morning of March 4th.
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 Louisville, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 3, 6:26 AM EST, 3 hours 34 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Louisville KY
626 AM EST Fri Mar 3 2023
...Updated Aviation Discussion...
.Short Term...(Today and tonight)
Issued at 341 AM EST Fri Mar 3 2023
...HIGH IMPACT WEATHER DAY ACROSS THE REGION...
=================================================
Key Messages
=================================================
1. Heavy rainfall is expected this morning across the region with
the heaviest axis of rainfall across portions of northern Kentucky
and southern Indiana.
2. Strong gradient (non-thunderstorm) wind gusts are expected today
and tonight. Wind gusts of 45 to 55+ mph will be possible outside
of thunderstorms.
3. Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected late this morning
through the early afternoon hours.
4. Excessive runoff from today's rainfall may lead to instances of
river flooding this weekend and into early next week.
=================================================
Meteorological Overview
=================================================
Aloft, a negative tilted upper level trough axis and associated
strong mid-level jet streak will move northeastward across the
region today. At the surface, surface low over central Arkansas
this morning is forecast to lift northeastward and deepen rapidly as
it moves through southeastern Missouri, SE Illinois and into central
Indiana. Warm frontal boundary across Tennessee this morning will
surge northward over the next few hours resulting in an east-west
band of moderate to heavy rain showers with embedded thunderstorms
moving northward across our area. As the warm front pushes
northward into southern Indiana later this morning and afternoon,
north-south cold front will push eastward across the region brining
a round of strong to severe thunderstorms to the region. Due to the
strong pressure gradient and high winds just off the surface, gusty
gradient winds will be seen across the region today and tonight
outside of thunderstorms.
==================================================
This Morning
==================================================
07Z surface analysis revealed two areas of low pressure across the
lower MS and Red River Valley region. The first area of low
pressure was located over eastern OK with a second/deeper surface
low over SW Arkansas. Extending northeastward from the surface low
was a warm front that was located right along the KY/TN border
region.
This warm front is forecast to lift northward through the remainder
of the overnight hours and should be located somewhere in the
vicinity of the WK/BG Parkways just after sunrise. The front is
forecast to lift northward into southern Indiana by mid-late
morning. Ahead of this warm front, combination of strong isentropic
lift, intense synoptic scale lift and strong integrated water vapor
transport will result in numerous showers with embedded
thunderstorms. The overall severe weather threat is low with this
as there will be a strong near surface inversion in place and
instability aloft isn't all that strong. The main forecast threat
here this morning will be moderate to heavy rainfall which may lead
to areal flooding issues as the morning wears on. The axis of
heaviest rainfall is likely to occur just to the south and east of
the northeastward moving low pressure system, mainly across western
TN, western KY and into southern IN. Rainfall amounts of 2-3 inches
with locally higher amounts will be possible in these areas. This
rainfall, falling over already saturated ground, will likely result
in runoff and areal flooding over southern Indiana and portions. of
northern Kentucky. The current Flash Flood Watch continues to be in
good shape here. Though we made a minor adjustment by adding Grayson
and Ohio counties to the watch.
The warm front is forecast to continue to lift northward later this
morning and should move into southern Indiana by midday. As this
occurs, a temporary break in precipitation is expected across much of
central Kentucky. However, additional strong convection is forecast
to be in western KY (Pennyrile area) ahead of the surface cold front
that will push through the region in the afternoon.
=====================================================
This Afternoon
=====================================================
As we move into the afternoon hours, we will shift gears from the
heavy rainfall to the gradient wind and severe weather potential
ahead of the approaching cold front. With the aforementioned
surface low deepening as it moves through SE IL and into central IN
this afternoon, the pressure gradient will rapidly increase across
the region. Strong gradient winds are expected with wind gusts of
45-55 mph at times within the warm sector.
Ongoing convection across west-central KY is expected to move
eastward and is likely to increase in intensity as it approaches the
I-65 corridor by 18-19Z. The multi-model consensus from the CAMs
continue to advertise a strong QLCS squall line rapidly moving
across southern IN and central KY this afternoon. Model proximity
soundings still are showing an impressive 50-60kt low-level jet axis
just ahead of this front. There is still a bit of uncertainty on
how much instability will develop ahead of the line. It's possible
that we may see a gradient of instability develop from the I-65
corridor and points east with the best instability likely in areas
just east of I-65 extending over to the I-75 corrridor. As the
convective line moves through, strong wind gusts within the bowing
segments of the line should have no issue with transporting the
higher momentum air aloft down to the surface. Wind gusts within
the squall line may exceed 65-70 mph in some sections of the line as
it plows eastward. While wind damage will be the primary threat,
model soundings also show strong veered low-level flow with large
looping hodographs in the lowest 3km. So, within this QLCS,
embedded mesovortices with quick spin up tornadoes can not be ruled
out. While much of the CAM guidance is strongly suggestive of a
largely linear type line, some of the CAMs show the possibility of
discrete cells popping up ahead of the line. Should this scenario
play out, these cells would be supercellular in nature and pose at
tornadic risk.
Just behind the QLCS and front, a period of intense gradient winds
still looks likely. The strength of the winds will be augmented by
just how much clearing may take place. A dry air punch may get into
the region and if some partial clearing were to take place, strong
mechanical mixing would take place to bring down the higher momentum
air to the surface. Within the squall line itself, 65-70 mph wind
gusts will be common especially in bowing segments. However, the
aforementioned mixing combined with strong isallobaric response just
behind the front may lead to a period of 60-65 mph wind gusts. For
now, the High Wind Warning area continues to cover the areas most
susceptible to this risk. Within the High Wind Warning area,
scattered to numerous power outages may occur due to the high winds.
While the trees are generally bare (given this time of the year),
trees may be more susceptible to falling this afternoon due to weak
stability given the excessively wet/saturated soils.
As for temperatures, highs today will range from the lower-mid 60s
across southern IN and northern Kentucky. Highs south of the
Parkways should warm into the upper 60s with some 70s down along the
KY/TN border region over into the Lake Cumberland area.
=====================================================
Tonight
=====================================================
Surface cold front will continue to move on off to the east rather
rapidly as the surface low continues to move from central IN into
northern Ohio. The pressure gradient will remain tight across the
region and wind gusts this evening of 40-45 mph will be common. We
expect these winds to rapidly diminish after midnight as the
gradient relaxes. Some low-level cloudiness and scattered rain
showers may transverse the region early this evening, but most
locations should be dry after midnight. Lows will dip into the
lower-mid 30s across southern IN and portions of north-central KY
with mid-upper 30s being common across southern KY.
=====================================================
River Flooding This Weekend
=====================================================
Excessive rainfall from this morning and this afternoon will likely
result in some minor river flooding in the hydro basins across
southern Indiana and portions of central Kentucky. In southern
Indiana, minor flooding is possible along the Blue and Muscatatuck
Rivers. In central KY, minor flooding may occur on the Green, Rough
River, Salt River, and Elkhorn Creek.
.Long Term...(Saturday through Thursday)
Issued at 230 AM EST Fri Mar 3 2023
Saturday and Sunday...
By Saturday morning, the system which will bring the active weather
on Friday will be moving off the New England coast, with sfc high
pressure moving into the Ohio Valley in its wake. While a few clouds
may linger east of I-65 Saturday morning, as the center of the high
moves overhead Saturday afternoon, mostly sunny skies and light
winds are expected. These sunny skies will help temperatures warm
into the mid-to-upper 50s across much of the region, with a few
lower 60s possible across southern KY Saturday afternoon. Saturday
night into Sunday, upper-level ridging will build between the
Mississippi Valley and the Appalachian Mountains as sfc high
pressure gradually moves off to the east. Light SE winds and
increasing thicknesses will send temperatures up into mid-60s, with
mostly sunny skies continuing across the region.
Monday - Tuesday Night...
While the overall mid- and upper-level flow pattern will remain
relatively zonal through mid-week, a weak shortwave within synoptic-
scale troughing across the western CONUS will eject east-
northeastward into the northern Plains and upper Midwest on Monday.
An associated surface low is progged to move from western KS
northeastward to the Great Lakes, with sfc cold front trailing to
the SW. As this disturbance approaches the region on Monday, winds
will become breezy out of the S/SW as the low-level pressure/height
gradient tightens. With this warm return flow in place, Monday
should be the warmest day in the extended forecast period, with
highs reaching the low-to-mid 70s. With moisture return ahead of the
approaching cold front appearing to be subdued, not expecting much
more than scattered showers with cold FROPA Monday night into
Tuesday morning. QPF amounts will also be light, with generally less
than 0.10" expected. In the wake of the cold front, dry weather
returns for much of Tuesday and Tuesday night, with temperatures
remaining fairly mild, though cooler than on Monday.
Wednesday and beyond...
Forecast confidence continues to remain fairly low from the middle
of next week and beyond as model solutions diverge somewhat.
However, there are broad trends which have higher confidence as we
head through late next week and into next weekend. First,
temperatures should trend downward from the middle of next week into
next weekend as large-scale troughing is favored by medium-to-long
range guidance across the eastern half of the CONUS. The ECMWF
continues to favor a transition to a highly-positive PNA pattern by
next weekend, while the GFS delays/mutes this transition later into
mid-March. Tend to favor the ECMWF solution as it has been fairly
consistent over the past few runs. Second, as this transition period
is occurring, there should be chances for precipitation during the
late week period next week. With cooler air returning, mixed
precipitation types cannot be ruled out, although the solution
currently favored in most guidance would see cold air chasing the
moisture out. Definitely something worth watching as we head through
the weekend and into next week.
&&
.Aviation...(12Z TAF Issuance)
Issued at 625 AM EST Fri Mar 3 2023
IMPACTS:
- Moderate to heavy showers with embedded TSRA this morning
- Squall line this afternoon with strong/severe convection
- Very strong gradient winds
DISCUSSION:
Widespread shower activity continues to work northward through KY
and southern IN this morning. Most of the activity has been devoid
of thunder, but in the last half hour or so, most concentrated area
of embedded thunder has been out toward KOWB/KEVV/KHNB.
Widespread showers should continue throughout the morning as quasi-
stationary boundary along the KY/TN border lifts northward later
this morning as a warm front. Warm frontal boundary should push
into southern IN by midday with winds at the terminals shifting from
the east to the southeast and eventually to the south. Speeds of 15-
25kts will be common with occasional gusts of 25-30kts being
possible by late morning. Cigs should mainly be MVFR with drops to
IFR possible at times.
By early afternoon, deepening surface low will move out of the
bootheel of MO into southern IL and then central IN. Attendant cold
front will surge eastward across the region with a line of
strong/severe storms forming along it. Tried to time the line into
the terminals with this forecast. For KBWG/KSDF thinking storms
will be in the 03/18-20Z time frame and over at KLEX in the 03/20-
22Z time frame. Have gone ahead and indicated thunderstorms here
with local wind gusts up to 45kts, though 50-55kts would certainly
be attainable within the line. Behind the line, gradient winds will
continue to stay up with southwest winds of 25-30kts and gusts of 40-
45kts through the early evening hours.
CONFIDENCE:
High on all elements.
&&
.LMK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KY...Flood Watch through this afternoon for KYZ023>043-045.
Wind Advisory from 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ this morning to 1 AM EST
/midnight CST/ Saturday for KYZ023>026-032.
High Wind Warning from 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ this morning to 10 PM
EST /9 PM CST/ this evening for KYZ027>031-033>043-045>049-
053>057-061>067-070>078-081-082.
IN...Flood Watch through this afternoon for INZ076>079-083-084-
089>092.
Wind Advisory from 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ this morning to 1 AM EST
/midnight CST/ Saturday for INZ076>079-083-084-089>092.
&&
Short Term...MJ
Long Term....CSG
Aviation.....MJHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Louisville KY 737 AM EST Fri Mar 3 2023 KYZ046>049-053>057-063>067-073>078-081-082-041245- Washington-Mercer-Jessamine-Clark-Larue-Marion-Boyle-Garrard-Madison- Hart-Green-Taylor-Casey-Lincoln-Allen-Barren-Monroe-Metcalfe-Adair- Russell-Cumberland-Clinton- Including the cities of Springfield, Harrodsburg, Nicholasville, Winchester, Hodgenville, Lebanon, Danville, Lancaster, Richmond, Horse Cave, Greensburg, Campbellsville, Liberty, Stanford, Scottsville, Glasgow, Tompkinsville, Edmonton, Columbia, Jamestown, Burkesville, and Albany 737 AM EST Fri Mar 3 2023 /637 AM CST Fri Mar 3 2023/ ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EST /9 PM CST/ THIS EVENING... This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central Indiana and Central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. A very strong weather system will move through the region today. Strong gusty winds, strong to severe thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall are expected with this weather system. The main severe weather threats today will be damaging thunderstorm winds and isolated tornadoes. Even outside of thunderstorms, wind gusts in excess of 60 mph will be possible. Please reference the multiple watch, warning, and advisory products for further details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is likely today. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville. KYZ028>031-033>043-045-041245- Hardin-Bullitt-Jefferson-Oldham-Henry-Shelby-Franklin-Scott-Harrison- Spencer-Anderson-Woodford-Fayette-Bourbon-Nicholas-Nelson- Including the cities of Elizabethtown, Shepherdsville, Louisville, La Grange, New Castle, Shelbyville, Frankfort, Georgetown, Cynthiana, Taylorsville, Lawrenceburg, Versailles, Lexington, Paris, Carlisle, and Bardstown 737 AM EST Fri Mar 3 2023 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EST THIS EVENING... ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central Indiana and Central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. A very strong weather system will move through the region today. Strong gusty winds, strong to severe thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall are expected with this weather system. The main severe weather threats today will be damaging thunderstorm winds and isolated tornadoes. Even outside of thunderstorms, wind gusts in excess of 60 mph will be possible. Please reference the multiple watch, warning, and advisory products for further details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is likely today. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville. INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ032-041245- Orange-Washington-Scott-Jefferson-Dubois-Crawford-Perry-Harrison- Floyd-Clark-Trimble- Including the cities of Paoli, Salem, Scottsburg, Madison, Jasper, English, Tell City, Corydon, New Albany, Jeffersonville, Bedford, and Milton 737 AM EST Fri Mar 3 2023 /637 AM CST Fri Mar 3 2023/ ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST /MIDNIGHT CST/ SATURDAY... ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EST /3 PM CST/ THIS AFTERNOON... This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central Indiana and Central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. A very strong weather system will move through the region today. Strong gusty winds, strong to severe thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall are expected with this weather system. The main severe weather threats today will be damaging thunderstorm winds and isolated tornadoes. Even outside of thunderstorms, wind gusts in excess of 45 mph will be possible. Please reference the multiple watch, warning, and advisory products for further details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is likely today. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville. KYZ061-062-070>072-041245- Butler-Edmonson-Logan-Warren-Simpson- Including the cities of Morgantown, Brownsville, Russellville, Bowling Green, Franklin, and Providence 637 AM CST Fri Mar 3 2023 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS EVENING... ...TORNADO WATCH 60 IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON... This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central Indiana and Central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. A very strong weather system will move through the region today. Strong gusty winds, strong to severe thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall are expected with this weather system. The main severe weather threats today will be damaging thunderstorm winds and isolated tornadoes. Even outside of thunderstorms, wind gusts in excess of 60 mph will be possible. Please reference the multiple watch, warning, and advisory products for further details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is likely today. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville. KYZ027-041245- Grayson- Including the city of Leitchfield 637 AM CST Fri Mar 3 2023 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS EVENING... ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON... ...TORNADO WATCH 60 IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON... This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central Indiana and Central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. A very strong weather system will move through the region today. Strong gusty winds, strong to severe thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall are expected with this weather system. The main severe weather threats today will be damaging thunderstorm winds and isolated tornadoes. Even outside of thunderstorms, wind gusts in excess of 60 mph will be possible. Please reference the multiple watch, warning, and advisory products for further details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is likely today. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville. KYZ023>026-041245- Hancock-Breckinridge-Meade-Ohio- Including the cities of Lewisport, Hawesville, Hardinsburg, Brandenburg, and Hartford 737 AM EST Fri Mar 3 2023 /637 AM CST Fri Mar 3 2023/ ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST /MIDNIGHT CST/ SATURDAY... ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EST /3 PM CST/ THIS AFTERNOON... ...TORNADO WATCH 60 IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM EST /1 PM CST/ THIS AFTERNOON... This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of south central Indiana and Central Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. A very strong weather system will move through the region today. Strong gusty winds, strong to severe thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall are expected with this weather system. The main severe weather threats today will be damaging thunderstorm winds and isolated tornadoes. Even outside of thunderstorms, wind gusts in excess of 45 mph will be possible. Please reference the multiple watch, warning, and advisory products for further details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is likely today. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found, at weather.gov/louisville. MJ/CSG
The Louisville radar (KLVX), 49 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:01 UTC.
6 flash flood, 6 high wind, 3 tornado, 3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Water was observed flowing over Lakeside Drive in Sellersburg.
Flash Flooding occurred along Union Chapel Road.
Flash flooding occurred on New Middletown Road.
The road was washed out at the intersection of Temple Road and Mulzer Quarry Road.
Dispatch reported flash flooding at John Pectol Road and Hamby Road.
Flash Flooding was observed along Jasper Dubois Road south of Indiana Route 545.
An EF-1 tornado formed on the west side of Dubois County, embedded within a line of severe thunderstorms. It first touched down near a barn in the city of Duff, leaving only one wall and the area`s tornado siren standing. The tornado then crossed flat farmland, not causing noticeable damage again until it reached the corner of 450 W and 100S, where a barn had significant roof damage and a home had shingle and siding damage. A private citizen had video footage of a narrow condensation funnel looking in the direction of this damage.
From here a continuous path of damage was noted by the Emergency Manager, going|through neighborhoods along Skyview Dr and Schuetter Dr west of Jasper. The tornado last caused damage in the Grassland Hills subdivision, causing multiple trees to snap near W 31st St. At this point some tree top snapping was noted as the tornado lifted.
An EF-1 tornado began just east of Dale, IN in northern Spencer County, near the intersection of Spencer County Roads 2100 North and 500 East. It continued to the north-northeast damaging property before crossing into Dubois County, where it snapped or uprooted several large trees along the county line. A couple of homes received minor roof and fascia damage. The tornado passed just northeast of Johnsburg, downing several large tree limbs and damaging a metal farm building before dissipating.
Trees were blown down in Leavenworth.
Trees were blown down along State Route 37 near Paoli in addition to other locations across the county.
A 100 year old maple tree was uprooted due to thunderstorm winds.
The National Weather Service in Louisville conducted a storm damage assessment summary for the March 3rd tornado that hit halfway between Hanover and Lexington, IN. The tornado initially touched down near Ford Road, which is just south of SR-56. Drone video showed trees snapped, twisted, and uprooted and laying in multiple directions. The tornado did the most damage between 9011 to 8904 SR 56. Six outbuildings and older barns were severely damaged or destroyed. A brick home sustained significant roof damage, had windows busted, and TV antenna snapped facing a westerly direction. Most of the damaged trees on the south side of SR 56 were facing from the west northwest to the north. Winds were estimated to be 90-95 mph with a width of 100 yards.
On the north side of SR 56, a well-built wooden home had several windows blown out, and the house foundation shifted several inches. A SUV had all its windows blown out, and looked like it had been shelled with debris. Several outbuildings were destroyed, throwing debris to the northwest and northerly directions. There was metal sheeting in the trees wrapped around branches and trees.
A well-built 40 by 60 barn had a large portion of its roof lifted, but its foundation did not move. This caused a plethora of insulation to be thrown in every direction into the wooded area. Several cars were moved by a few feet and mud and insulation were on three sides of the barn. Pieces of this barn were thrown up to 275 yards downwind. A sturdy single wide moved several feet off its foundation, but not a single shingle was missing. Winds were strongest in this area with 100 mph max wind and a width of 100 yards.
Mesonet station IN040 1.9 N Corydon measured a 69 mph wind gust.
Clark Regional Airport (KJVY) measured a 63 mph wind gust.
A mesonet station in Dubois County recorded a 64 mph wind gust.
Scattered tree and power line damage was observed in Tell City as well as across the rest of Perry County. Some of the trees fell on cars and buildings, causing additional damage.
Numerous reports of trees and power lines down were received across Floyd County. South Skyline Drive was temporarily closed due to trees and power lines down across the roadway.
Scattered tree and power line damage was observed across Crawford County. One of the downed trees fell onto a house in Leavenworth, causing additional damage.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Indiana, 2023Warnings in Indiana, March 2023
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: 1089444, 1089449, 1089448, 1089450, 1088524, 1089452, 1091328, 1091355, 1089455, 1089459, 1089460, 1091332, 1089878, 1089879, 1089875, 1089876, 1089880, 1089877.