Tropical Storm Helene transitioned into a Post Tropical Storm while tracking from the southern Appalachians into eastern Kentucky during the midday hours of the 27th. The circulation center then tracked west across Kentucky while the northern portions of Helene's remnant pressure field enveloped the Midwest.
Every event with a place to put it; 27 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 IND wrote it up.
Tropical Storm Helene transitioned into a Post Tropical Storm while tracking from the southern Appalachians into eastern Kentucky during the midday hours of the 27th. The circulation center then tracked west across Kentucky while the northern portions of Helene's remnant pressure field enveloped the Midwest. As the system continued to transition into an overall baroclinic circulation, the tilt of its asymmetric, increasingly oblong trough retrograded from the upper Ohio River Valley into Indiana, aligned along the Interstate 69 corridor by the early evening hours.
Helene's strongest gradient through the mid- and low levels was found along this axis that crossed Indiana from east to west. Severe winds aloft mixed down to the surface during mainly late day hours, as wind gusts that approached 70 mph. Isolated to scattered wind damage was found over much of the region, including scores of downed trees; one of which that caused one injury in Putnam County. Power outages for central Indiana peaked at 132,381, making up nearly 80 percent of the state's total.
A band of heavier rain across southern Henry County, northern Hancock County and most northern portions of the Indianapolis Metro Area produced 1.60 to 2.70 inches of rainfall, leading to brief localized flooding and ponding of low-lying areas.
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 Sep 27, 1:39 PM EST, 2 hours 6 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 239 PM EDT Fri Sep 27 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Strong northeast winds with general gusts of 45-55 MPH with a few gusts to 60 mph expected into the evening - Widespread rainfall expected into the weekend - River flooding is not expected due to abnormally dry soil, but efficient rainfall rates may lead to localized flash flooding - Lower rain chances linger through early next week before dry weather returns midweek && .SHORT TERM (This evening through Saturday)... Issued at 238 PM EDT Fri Sep 27 2024 The remnants of Helene will merge with an upper level low, and the resulting system will then meander across portions of Kentucky through Saturday. The result will be strong winds this afternoon into the evening, along with periods of rain. Rest of This Afternoon into the Evening... As the remnant surface low pressure from Helene moves into the area later this afternoon and evening, the pressure gradient between it and surface high pressure across Wisconsin will increase. Wind fields through the lower atmosphere will increase as well as the system approaches. Expect both sustained winds and wind gusts to increase into late afternoon. However, models have been overforecasting sustained wind speeds and gusts into early afternoon, showing 50-60mph where gusts have been in the 30s and 40s. There have been sporadic gusts around 50kt in east central Kentucky, but most speeds have been 35-45kt. Thus, confidence in widespread High Wind Warning criteria (50kt) is lowering. Sporadic gusts to 50kt remain possible, especially if drier air can sneak in on the back edge of the heavier rain band that will move through late this afternoon and early this evening. Even if wind speeds don't meet the 50kt criteria, a few reports of trees down and power lines down have already been received with the observed 35kt winds through 200 PM EDT. Given the above, feel that no change is needed to the current wind headlines. The heavier band of rain will move west through central Indiana later this afternoon and early this evening. Will have high PoPs for this. Rainfall amounts do not look to have changed much from previous, with the highest amounts still expected south. These amounts will not cause any river flooding issues, but localized flooding remains possible in heavier bands. Overnight... As the surface low weakens, the pressure gradient will relax some. Overall wind fields will weaken through the atmosphere. Thus, winds will diminish through the night. The longer term headlines may be canceled early if winds diminish fast enough. Lack of forcing for much of the overnight will lead to low PoPs, but some forcing will return from the south toward 12Z. Will have higher PoPs in the far south at that time. Saturday... As the upper and surface lows meander across western Kentucky on Saturday, some troughing will extend northeast into Indiana. Energy rotating around the upper low will bring more forcing to the area during the day. Moisture will remain plentiful. The forcing and moisture will lead to more rain spreading north and west across central Indiana during the day. Will go likely or higher category PoPs all areas at some point on Saturday. Clouds and rain will keep temperatures cool, with highs in the upper 60s southeast to perhaps the lower 70s far northwest. && .LONG TERM (Saturday night through Friday)... Issued at 238 PM EDT Fri Sep 27 2024 The remnants of Helene will continue to linger near central Indiana early in the period keeping clouds and rain chances in the forecast. Additional rainfall amounts should be light around a quarter of an inch though this is welcomed news given the active drought conditions. Look for coverage of rain to decrease into Sunday and towards the start of the work week as the remnant low continues to weaken. Rain chances fall to around 20% by Monday morning due to very weak forcing across the area. However, diurnal heating combined with lingering moisture will likely provide a better opportunity for showers later in the day. By Tuesday, a deep trough and associated cold front are expected to move across the region. The bulk of deep tropical moisture transported northward from Helene's remnants should be east of central Indiana once the front approaches. This along with weak overall forcing will limit chances for precipitation with only isolated showers expected. High pressure then builds in behind the front providing quiet weather towards midweek. Precipitation and clouds will limit diurnal temperature swings to end the weekend with near seasonal highs on Sunday. Temperatures then warm up early next week ahead of the approaching cold front before cooling down again midweek. Cooler air filtering in behind the front is likely going to keep highs in the 60s for Wednesday. Wednesday night looks like the coldest night next week as temperatures are expected to fall well into the 40s. Temperatures begin to gradually moderate beyond Wednesday once the aforementioned upper trough shifts east. && .AVIATION (18Z TAF Issuance)... Issued at 108 PM EDT Fri Sep 27 2024 Impacts: - Significant winds expected this afternoon and evening with gusts over 40kt likely - Predominant MVFR conditions expected, with IFR possible in heavier showers - Rain into the evening. More rain on Saturday. Discussion: Wind speeds will increase this afternoon, peaking the 20-01Z time frame. Winds will then gradually diminish through the night. Peak gusts over 40kt are expected with sustained over 25kt. Predominant MVFR conditions are expected, but some bouncing into VFR may occur early, especially at KLAF. IFR and potentially worse conditions may occur in heavier rain. More IFR conditions will develop late tonight into Saturday. Widespread rain will continue into the evening before diminishing, but look for more rain to overspread the sites on Saturday. && .IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory until 1 AM EDT Saturday for INZ021-028>031-035-038- 043. High Wind Warning until 1 AM EDT Saturday for INZ036-044-045- 051>053-060-061-067>069. High Wind Warning until 11 PM EDT this evening for INZ037-039- 046>049-054>057-062>065-070>072. Wind Advisory until 11 PM EDT this evening for INZ040>042. && SHORT TERM...50 LONG TERM...Melo AVIATION...50
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 354 PM EDT Fri Sep 27 2024 INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-282000- 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- 354 PM EDT Fri Sep 27 2024 This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana. .DAY ONE...Through Tonight. Strong wind gusts are expected from the remnants of Helene with damaging winds possible through this evening. Peak wind gusts will be around 50-55 mph with locally higher gusts possible. This may result in power outages and downed trees. High rainfall rates later today may result in localized flooding over southern portions of central Indiana as well. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated...but wind and rainfall reports today and tonight would be appreciated. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found at http://weather.gov/ind
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
27 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Non-thunderstorm winds at 1545 EST gusted to a measured 58 MPH at the KBAK AWOS, multiple trees were reported down across the county. At least 2500 homes were without power during the event.
Criteria was reached from non-thunderstorm wind gusts reaching at least 58 mph. Wind magnitude was estimated from observed gusts and damage reports in adjacent zones. At least 1500 homes were without power during the event.
Non-thunderstorm winds downed large branches in Seymour. At least 600 homes were without power during the event.
Non-thunderstorm winds downed a couple trees near Williams.
Non-thunderstorm winds downed tree branches in Spurgeons Corner. At least 800 homes were without power during the event.
Criteria was reached from non-thunderstorm wind gusts reaching at least 58 mph. Wind magnitude was estimated from observed gusts and damage reports in adjacent zones. At least 500 homes were without power during the event.
Criteria was reached from non-thunderstorm wind gusts reaching at least 58 mph. Wind magnitude was estimated from observed gusts and damage reports in adjacent zones. At least 2000 homes were without power during the event.
Criteria was reached from non-thunderstorm wind gusts reaching at least 58 mph. Wind magnitude was estimated from observed gusts and damage reports in adjacent zones. At least 1000 homes were without power during the event.
Criteria was reached from non-thunderstorm wind gusts reaching at least 58 mph. Wind magnitude was estimated from observed gusts and damage reports in adjacent zones. At least 800 homes were without power during the event.
Criteria was reached from non-thunderstorm wind gusts reaching at least 58 mph. Wind magnitude was estimated from observed gusts and damage reports in adjacent zones.
Non-thunderstorm winds downed tree onto power lines. At least 2100 homes were without power during the event.
Non-thunderstorm winds downed tree branches and blew off shingles near Trafalgar. At least 4500 homes were without power during the event.
Non-thunderstorm winds downed a couple trees southwest of Williams.
Non-thunderstorm winds snapped off tree branches. At least 500 homes were without power during the event.
Non-thunderstorm winds snapped large tree limbs and powerlines in Muncie and on the south side of Ball State University. At least 1500 homes were without power during the event.
Non-thunderstorm winds measured in excess of 58 MPH near Brownsburg. At least 5000 homes were without power during the event.
Non-thunderstorm winds downed a tree into a house near Country Club Heights. At least 8000 homes were without power during the event.
Non-thunderstorm winds downed many power lines and trees across the county. Two homes were destroyed in Mooresville with minor damage to 2 other homes in town, while minor damage occurred to 10 other homes across the communities of Brooklyn, Waverly, and near the communities of Banta, Morgantown and Wilbur. At least 1800 homes were without power during the event.
Non-thunderstorm winds downed hundreds of trees across the county, including dozens onto roads and power poles, and a reported 25 onto homes. Two homes ascertained major damage, with minor to moderate damage to most other homes affected. The Department of Public Works acquired extra resources to make two passes to clear both debris from roadways/intersections and then ultimately remove debris. The traffic signal/streetlight infrastructure was also impacted.| Wind gusts at or in excess of 58 MPH were occasionally observed at the Indianapolis International Airport (KIND)'s ASOS during 1742-1831 EST, including a peak gust to 68 MPH at 1756 EST. As many as nearly 58,00 persons were without power.
Criteria was reached from non-thunderstorm wind gusts reaching at least 58 mph. Wind magnitude was estimated from observed gusts and damage reports in adjacent zones. At least 1250 homes were without power during the event.
Criteria was reached from non-thunderstorm wind gusts reaching at least 58 mph. Wind magnitude was estimated from observed gusts and damage reports in adjacent zones. At least 1750 homes were without power during the event.
Non-thunderstorm winds downed tree onto a house in Jamestown. At least 800 homes were without power during the event.
Non-thunderstorm winds downed healthy tree limbs near Geist Reservoir. At least 17000 homes were without power during the event.
Non-thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees and utility lines across the county. At least 1750 homes were without power during the event.
A non-thunderstorm wind gust of 66 mph was measured 2.5 miles west of Stinesville. At least 750 homes were without power during the event.
Non-thunderstorm winds downed a tree that destroyed a double-wide trailer 4 miles south of Cloverdale, pinning down and bruising one person inside the home. At least 2750 homes were without power during the event.
Criteria was reached from non-thunderstorm wind gusts reaching at least 58 mph. Wind magnitude was estimated from observed gusts and damage reports in adjacent zones. At least 6000 homes were without power during the event.
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, September 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: 1218792, 1218789, 1218800, 1218804, 1218794, 1218785, 1218786, 1218787, 1218788, 1218790, 1218798, 1218801, 1218805, 1218810, 1218795, 1218799, 1218806, 1218807, 1218811, 1218784, 1218791, 1218793, 1218797, 1218802, 1218808, 1218809, 1218783.