A line of storms led to damage in mainly St. Joseph and La Porte Counties in Indiana.
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.
A line of storms led to damage in mainly St. Joseph and La Porte Counties in Indiana. Preliminary review of damage photos, videos, reports, and radar suggest a swath of 70 to 90 mph straight line winds (microburst) caused the worst of the damage near Stillwell, IN/Union Mills, IN (5 transmission towers downed, silo tossed, barn roof peeled off). The other location was South Bend, IN which received gusty winds from thunderstorm outflow ahead of the main storm.
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 May 20, 12:21 PM CST, 3 hours 49 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Northern Indiana 221 PM EDT Mon May 20 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - A strong to locally severe thunderstorm is possible between 6 and 10 pm in NW Indiana/SW Lower MI as well as locally heavy rain. - Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible late Tuesday night, mainly west of IN-15 and then again along and east of I-69 Wednesday afternoon and evening. - Warm and muggy conditions to be replaced by somewhat cooler and less humid air late this week into the Memorial Day weekend with some chances for showers and storms. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 214 PM EDT Mon May 20 2024 Very summer-like pattern comes with summer like challenges for convection over the next couple of days in a rather moist and diurnally unstable environment. Highs the next several days will soar well into the 80s Initial focus, with greatest (albeit still somewhat reserved) confidence being with impacts of a MCV set to move across SE Wisconsin later this afternoon. While the best dynamics remain northwest of the area, a spoke of the wave does clip far NW areas, resulting in some weak convergence that may be sufficient to develop scattered showers and storms in the 22-00Z time frame. NAM suite overly unimpressed with the development with other CAMs a bit more confident on some development (HRRR the greatest). Much like yesterday, shear profiles are rather paltry (20 kts or less) resulting in more pulse type convection that could drop a good deal of rain in a short time along with some threat for locally gusty winds/small hail. Confidence in eastward extent in the 00Z-04Z period decreases with loss of diurnal heating and continued NE track of the MCV removing the already limited convergence. Concerned that likely pops this evening may be overdone, but if it is going to occur, location is about right. Have made some adjustments to pops to reflect a bit more inland extent to the storms but continue with a weakening trend into the overnight hours. Between 9Z Tue and quite possibly through 4-6Z Wed the best forcing will likely remain well north into MI with the warm front and well west with the cold front, resulting in a dry forecast despite increasing instability and shear during the afternoon and evening hours. 700 mb temps of +11 to +12 C edge in as well, further capping off any development. While a stray shower or storm could form across northern parts of the area during the morning and maybe late afternoon in the far W, by far the best chances look to wait to closer to 6Z Wed and beyond as a line of strong to severe storms will likely have moved across IL and be edging into western areas. A few CAMs show some possible additional development ahead of the line on more of a pre-frontal trough late evening with the main line then catching up. Several models show a fair amount of SFC based CIN taking shape overnight and the 50 kts of 0-6 km shear actually decreases just ahead of the approaching convection (still maintained along and behind). If the line holds together into the overnight hours, pockets of damaging winds and some large hail would be the main concerns. Slight risk in NW areas appears reasonable still for Tuesday night with greatest chances remaining well west of the area across E IA/W IL where a moderate risk for severe storms now exists. Cold front will ease its way through Wednesday with the potential for some lingering cloud cover early. CAMs vary greatly on potential for development along and ahead of the front with stronger signals maybe residing just SE of our area during the afternoon/eve hours as better upper level dynamics take time to catch up with the front. DY3 slight risk is warranted at this point, but may change over the next 24 to 36 hours as the mesoscale impacts of Tuesday night's convection becomes more apparent. New blend of models expands the likely pops well NW to match where the better chance for storms may exist (SE third or so-roughly I-69 east) and lingers into Wednesday evening. This could very well be overdone, but given the proximity of the front can't entirely dismiss. Frontal boundary will settle south of the area, with models continuing to indicate a weak disturbance edging north from TX Thursday evening towards the Ohio Valley for Friday. Additional waves move in from the northern Plains the rest of the weekend into early next week resulting in several period of slgt chc to chc pops over the holiday weekend. Don't think by any means it will be a washout, but something to monitor in the coming days. The cloud cover will help keep it somewhat cooler during the day (70s). && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 124 PM EDT Mon May 20 2024 Mid level ridging and capping with 700 mb temperatures above normal across the area is expected to keep pop shower and thunderstorm activity at bay until around 00z or so. As a vorticity maximum heads into the Western Great Lakes and Lower Michigan area, left over instability may be able to maintain some level of strong thunderstorm activity into SBN terminals, but less of a chance to reach FWA. Can't rule out at least an MVFR VISBY restriction, but confidence is low on that. Additional flight restrictions will be possible Tuesday morning as Lake MI marine air filters in, but confidence on the extent of that is also low. Will address with a tempo group for now. Also, expect gusty winds this afternoon to die down this evening. && .IWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IN...None. OH...None. MI...None. MARINE...None. && DISCUSSION...Fisher AVIATION...Roller
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Northern Indiana 228 PM EDT Mon May 20 2024 INZ005>009-012>015-017-018-020-022>027-032>034-103-104-116-203-204- 216-MIZ078>081-177-277-OHZ001-002-004-005-015-016-024-025-211830- Elkhart-Lagrange-Steuben-Noble-De Kalb-Starke-Pulaski-Marshall- Fulton IN-Whitley-Allen IN-White-Cass IN-Miami-Wabash-Huntington- Wells-Adams-Grant-Blackford-Jay-Northern La Porte- Eastern St. Joseph IN-Northern Kosciusko-Southern La Porte- Western St. Joseph IN-Southern Kosciusko-Cass MI-St. Joseph MI- Branch-Hillsdale-Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien-Williams- Fulton OH-Defiance-Henry-Paulding-Putnam-Van Wert-Allen OH- 228 PM EDT Mon May 20 2024 /128 PM CDT Mon May 20 2024/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Indiana, southwest Michigan and northwest Ohio. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. There is a chance of thunderstorms this afternoon, especially from northwest Indiana into southern Lower Michigan. A few storms may produce wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph and small hail. In addition, the slow movement may result in localized flooding in some areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Strong to severe storms are possible from late Tuesday evening into the overnight hours, mainly west of Indiana 15, but confidence in severe storms is low to medium at this time. The main threat would be scattered damaging wind gusts. Strong to severe thunderstorms will also be possible Wednesday afternoon roughly east of Interstate 69 across northern Indiana and northwest Ohio. Damaging winds and large hail would be the main concerns. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. LMZ043-046-211830- New Buffalo MI to St Joseph MI-Michigan City IN to New Buffalo MI- 228 PM EDT Mon May 20 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the nearshore waters of southeastern Lake Michigan. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. There is a chance of thunderstorms today. A few storms may produce hail and wind gusts in excess of 40 knots. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Strong to severe storms are possible late Tuesday night into the overnight hours. Thunderstorm wind gusts in excess of 50 knots are possible Tuesday night. Hazardous conditions for small craft are possible Tuesday night.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
528 PM EDT Mon May 20 2024
MIZ177-277-202215-
Northern Berrien MI-Southern Berrien MI-
528 PM EDT Mon May 20 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT BERRIEN COUNTY THROUGH 615 PM
EDT...
At 528 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 13 miles west of Stevensville to New Buffalo.
Movement was northeast at 45 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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Buchanan, Fair Plain, Benton Heights,
Bridgman, New Buffalo, Berrien Springs, Watervliet, Three Oaks,
Coloma, Stevensville, Shorewood-Tower Hill, Paw Paw Lake,
Shorewood-Tower Hills-Harbert, Lake Michigan Beach, Sodus, Riverside,
Baroda, and Shoreham.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 196 between mile markers 0 and 7.
Interstate 94 in Michigan between mile markers 0 and 42.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4188 8622 4176 8657 4176 8678 4178 8678
4184 8669 4192 8660 4211 8649 4224 8637
4224 8623
TIME...MOT...LOC 2128Z 226DEG 41KT 4208 8676 4177 8674
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
NWSPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
545 PM EDT Mon May 20 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0515 PM Hail Pottawattomie Park 41.72N 86.87W
05/20/2024 M0.50 Inch La Porte IN Trained Spotter
Report from mPING.
0532 PM Hail New Buffalo 41.79N 86.75W
05/20/2024 E0.25 Inch Berrien MI Broadcast Media
Via ABC57 Mobile Weather Tracker.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
605 PM EDT Mon May 20 2024
INZ103-104-203-204-MIZ078-177-277-202300-
Eastern St. Joseph IN-Western St. Joseph IN-Northern La Porte IN-
Southern La Porte IN-Northern Berrien MI-Cass MI-Southern Berrien MI-
605 PM EDT Mon May 20 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN ST. JOSEPH...LA PORTE...
WESTERN CASS AND BERRIEN COUNTIES THROUGH 700 PM EDT/600 PM CDT/...
At 605 PM EDT/505 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Stevensville to near
La Porte. Movement was northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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.
Locations impacted include...
South Bend, Mishawaka, Michigan City, La Porte, Niles, Benton Harbor,
St. Joseph, Dowagiac, Westville, Buchanan, Trail Creek, Gulivoire
Park, Granger, Benton Heights, Fair Plain, Bridgman, North Liberty,
New Buffalo, New Carlisle, and Berrien Springs.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 196 between mile markers 0 and 7.
Interstate 80 in Indiana between mile markers 38 and 87.
Interstate 94 in Indiana between mile markers 33 and 45.
Interstate 94 in Michigan between mile markers 0 and 42.
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 4207 8622 4207 8587 4176 8603 4176 8606
4169 8606 4130 8693 4171 8693 4182 8672
4190 8662 4211 8649 4224 8636 4224 8622
TIME...MOT...LOC 2205Z 238DEG 29KT 4202 8647 4161 8680
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
NWSThe Northern Indiana radar (KIWX), 93 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:08 UTC.
12 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
ABC57 Mobile weather tracker reports hail ranging from pea to nickel sized.
Powerlines down across SR 2 at County Line Road.
Public reports large branches are down.
A metal roof was peeled off a barn. Preliminary radar evaluation and nearby damage suggests straight line wind from a microburst, estimated at 70 to 90 mph.
Photo on Facebook of siding blown off a home.
A transmission tower downed and a small grain silo was crumpled and blown across the road. Photo relayed by broadcast media on Facebook, near US 6 and S 400 W.
Public reports large tree branches down.
Trees down near Fish Lake.
Large trees uprooted or downed. Healthy branches of 6 to 12 inches in diameter. One tree snapped, landing on a vehicle.
Trees down onto powerlines along west Inland Rd near Locust Rd. Photo on Facebook.
Large tree snapped in Walkerton. Photo on Facebook.
Large tree branches down on a car. Estimated 60 mph winds.
Large tree down on Ewing Street.
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, May 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: 1179362, 1179364, 1179365, 1179366, 1179367, 1179368, 1179369, 1179370, 1179371, 1179372, 1179373, 1179375, 1179374.