During the late afternoon into early evening hours of March 5th, slow moving to nearly stationary thunderstorms caused periods of heavy rain across south central Indiana with pockets of flash flooding in both Washington, Indiana and southwestern Greene County. 75 inches of rainfall near these areas of flash flooding.
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.
During the late afternoon into early evening hours of March 5th, slow moving to nearly stationary thunderstorms caused periods of heavy rain across south central Indiana with pockets of flash flooding in both Washington, Indiana and southwestern Greene County. Rain gauges reported up to 3.75 inches of rainfall near these areas of flash flooding.
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 Mar 5, 4:26 PM EST, 1 hour 34 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 426 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Rain Ending this evening, cloudy and cooler on Wednesday - Rain chances return late Thursday night with widespread precipitation expected through Saturday. - Embedded thunderstorms are possible Friday afternoon into Saturday. - Cooler temperatures by the weekend before rebounding early next week. && .FORECAST UPDATE... Issued at 425 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024 Latest satellite imagery shows a broad swath of clearing skies across central and southern Indiana. This area is also ahead of a cold front that is currently located from Lafayette down to about Terre Haute. In the zone of clearing, warm moist air remains in place and some destabilization has occurred. SPC mesoanalysis shows 250 to 500 J/kg surface CAPE across the area of discussion. A few pockets of 1000 J/kg surface CAPE are noted just to the west in southern Illinois. Additionally, satellite shows cumulus rapidly developing across the area of clearing. Some weak returns on radar have also been noted, with a brief thunderstorm developing over Greene County not too long ago. Further development is expected, as the air mass ahead of the front continues to destabilize. As such, added chance PoPs from along and south of the I-70 corridor. ACARS soundings out of IND show modest lapse rates of around 7 C/Km. Mid to low levels appear dry, at least compared to earlier. The bulk of the CAPE profile now resides from the hail growth zone downward, with little variation in flow from the surface through this layer. Faster winds exist aloft, but storms may not grow tall enough to interact with them in any meaningful way. As such, slow-moving pulse storms with perhaps some small hail or brief gusty winds appear to be the primary convective mode/hazard along with locally heavy rainfall. Outside of convective/precip chances...blended in short term and higher resolution guidance to better capture the sharpness of the front. && .SHORT TERM (This evening through Wednesday)... Issued at 208 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024 Synopsis: Surface analysis early this afternoon shows a cold front stretching from Southern Ontario, across Central Indiana to SE MO. Scattered showers with embedded non-severe thunderstorms were found along and ahead of the front, mainly in eastern Central Indiana. GOES16 shows cloudy skies across Central Indiana. Weak southerly flow was found across the southeastern parts of the forecast area, however where the front has passed, winds were northwesterly, and temperatures there have fallen to the 50s. Ahead of the front temps were in the 60s. Water vapor imagery shows ridging in place off the east coast. This was resulting in a zonal flow across much of the CONUS to become southwest across the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes. A weak upper level short wave was found over AR/TN/MS, pushing slowly northeast. Deep moisture was found along and ahead of the cold front, appearing on water vapor. Tonight... Models suggest the cold front will continue its progression late this afternoon and early evening, exiting Central Indiana between 00z-03z. However the progress is expected to be slow in the southeastern parts of the forecast area. The previously mentioned upper short wave over AR/TN/MS is expected to drift northeast. This appears to slow down the progress of the cold front slightly. The DESI Ensembles show many members holding on to light precipitation amounts across the southeast parts of our forecast area this evening. By 06Z, all members have trended toward a dry forecast and the cold front and any associated forcing should have exited to the east. Thus will hold on to some lower chance pops across the southeast areas this evening including Seymour, Columbus, North Vernon and Greensburg, but trend toward a dry forecast after 03Z. Forecast soundings overnight show cold air advection in place along with northerly surface winds. Lower levels look to remain saturated with moisture trapped beneath an inversion due to the cold air advection. GOES16 also shows plentiful stratus upstream. Thus will trend toward a cloudy and cooler overnight period. Look for lows to be in the middle 40s. Wednesday... As the previously mentioned short wave works northeast toward central Appalachia, an associated surface low is also expected to pass to the east of Central Indiana. Meanwhile cooler, Canadian high pressure is expected to be found over Ontario. These two systems will combine to provide a cool easterly surface flow to Indiana on Wednesday, with slight cold air advection in play. Strong subsidence is also in play as the mid and upper levels remain quite dry. Forecast soundings through the day keep the lower levels saturated with an inversion aloft, continuing to trap this moisture. Most of the DESI Ensemble members keep lower level moisture present through the afternoon on Wednesday, while a few clear things out. Thus will start with a cloudy and cool morning, with partial clearing during the afternoon. Confidence for clear skies remains low. Given the cool northeast surface flow expect highs in the middle 50s. && .LONG TERM (Wednesday night through Tuesday)... Issued at 208 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024 Wednesday night through Thursday... Quiet weather conditions are expected as surface ridging extends south from a high near Ontario along with subtle upper ridging building in. Forecast soundings show a subsidence inversion persisting through Thursday which will make it difficult for low clouds to clear out. Some partial clearing is possible during this period as low-level dry air could advect into the area from the north, but it appears at least a scattered low cloud deck should remain. Highs on Thursday will likely only warm a few degrees compared to the previous day due to low clouds and negligible thermal advection. Look for highs in the mid 50s to low 60s. Thursday night through Sunday night... Multiple surface lows associated with a southern stream shortwave are expected to develop near the southern plains/Ozarks region late Thursday before moving northeast towards the area Friday into Saturday. Ensemble guidance has become slightly better aligned regarding timing and location of the surface waves though there are still discrepancies in the latest runs. This leads to some uncertainty in exact details. Anomalous moisture return and increasing dynamics will support widespread precipitation, potentially heavy at times, mainly Friday through Saturday morning when the greatest forcing/moisture moves through. The threat for heavy rain could persist through the day Saturday depending on where the second surface low tracks. Weak to modest destabilization will also promote the potential for embedded convection. While there is some uncertainty in rainfall amounts due to model discrepancies, ensemble guidance shows a moderate-strong signal for rainfall amounts around 1-2 inches across portions of the area. Isolated higher amounts cannot be ruled out with the potential for convective elements. Precipitation chances then linger through Sunday morning as a northern stream trough dives south from Canada and phases with the southern stream trough. Ensemble guidance shows disagreement regarding when surface high pressure will build in Sunday. Will stick with a blended forecast of low chance POPs early in the day and dry for the afternoon for now given the timing differences between models. For those that are tired of the abnormal warmth, cold air advection will trend temperatures closer to seasonal by this weekend. Expect lows near or below freezing both Saturday and Sunday night. In addition, breezy conditions are likely over the weekend due to a tightening pressure gradient which will make it feel even colder. Early next week... Upper ridging and surface high pressure will likely provide quiet weather conditions. Increasing heights aloft combined with return flow should quickly warm temperatures back up during this period. Look for temperatures to warm back into the low 60s by Tuesday. && .AVIATION (18Z TAF Issuance)... Issued at 1211 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024 Impacts: - VFR Conditions deteriorating to IFR during this period. - Scattered thunderstorms expected this afternoon. - MVFR conditions possible with showers/storms - Ceilings dropping to IFR overnight with visibility restrictions Discussion: Radar late this morning shows showers and thunderstorms pushing across the TAF sites. These showers and storms were producing MVFR Cigs and visibility restrictions as they pass. The showers and storms were found along and ahead of a cold front passing across Central Indiana. HRRR suggests the bulk of this convection will exit the IND-HUF areas by 20-21Z, and the BMG areas by 22Z-23Z. Due to the on and off nature of the scattered showers, have used VCTS along with tempos for prevailing showers with poorer flight conditions in the MVFR category. Cold air advection in the wake of the front was leading to some low MVFR and IFR cigs upstream. We expect these MVFR to IFR Cigs to remain present across the area this evening and overnight. Models suggest the lower levels to remain saturated through this period. Thus IFR this evening and tonight. && .IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None. && UPDATE...Eckhoff SHORT TERM...Puma LONG TERM...Melo AVIATION...Puma
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 234 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024 INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-061945- 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- 234 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Central Indiana. .DAY ONE...Through Tonight. Isolated thunderstorms are possible through this evening. Lightning is a hazard with any storm. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Scattered thunderstorms will be possible at times late Friday through Saturday. Severe storms are not expected at this time, though the strongest storms may produce small hail and gusty winds. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight. && This product in graphical format...along with other weather... hydrological and climate information...at: http://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=ind http://www.weather.gov/ind WFO IND
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
427 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024
INZ068-069-052200-
Daviess IN-Martin IN-
427 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central Martin
and east central Daviess Counties through 500 PM EST
...
At 427 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles west of Shoals, or 21 miles northeast of Petersburg, moving
northeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of west central Martin
and east central Daviess Counties, including the following
locations... Cannelburg, Loogootee, West Boggs Lake, and Montgomery.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3861 8698 3869 8707 3885 8693 3870 8679
TIME...MOT...LOC 2127Z 243DEG 10KT 3869 8698
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
UpdikeSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
456 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024
INZ061-052230-
Greene IN-
456 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Greene
County through 530 PM EST
...
At 456 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Linton, or 30 miles northeast of Vincennes, moving northeast at 5
mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of western Greene
County, including the following locations... Lyons, Switz City, and
Newberry.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3891 8713 3898 8719 3913 8701 3895 8688
TIME...MOT...LOC 2156Z 246DEG 6KT 3898 8710
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
UpdikeSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
500 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024
INZ068-069-052230-
Daviess IN-Martin IN-
500 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Martin and
east central Daviess Counties through 530 PM EST
...
At 459 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles northwest of Shoals, or 22 miles west of Bedford, moving
northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northern Martin and
east central Daviess Counties, including the following locations...
Burns City, West Boggs Lake, and Indian Springs.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3875 8699 3891 8687 3890 8686 3881 8668
3879 8668 3870 8689
TIME...MOT...LOC 2159Z 227DEG 14KT 3876 8688
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
UpdikeSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
527 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024
INZ060-061-067-068-052300-
Daviess IN-Knox IN-Greene IN-Sullivan IN-
527 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southeastern
Sullivan, northeastern Knox, southern Greene and north central
Daviess Counties through 600 PM EST
...
At 526 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Bloomfield to 11 miles southwest of
Linton. Movement was east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Bloomfield around 530 PM EST.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3906 8668 3883 8703 3890 8734 3908 8711
3910 8695
TIME...MOT...LOC 2226Z 261DEG 14KT 3904 8702 3891 8731
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
UpdikeSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
553 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024
INZ052-053-061-052330-
Clay IN-Owen IN-Greene IN-
553 PM EST Tue Mar 5 2024
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Clay,
southwestern Owen and north central Greene Counties through 630 PM
EST
...
At 553 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Bloomfield, or 27 miles west of Bloomington, moving northeast at 10
mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southern Clay,
southwestern Owen and north central Greene Counties, including the
following locations... Worthington and Coal City.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3902 8693 3910 8710 3925 8706 3917 8679
TIME...MOT...LOC 2253Z 210DEG 9KT 3908 8702
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
UpdikeThe Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 98 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:01 UTC.
2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Road flooding within the town of Lyons.
Water noted flowing over a bridge within Washington.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Indiana, March 2024
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: 1156559, 1156561.