Indiana, 2026

Hail and Damaging Wind in Indiana, April 14, 2026

April 14, 2026 · NWS IND · 4 events in 3 counties and zones

On April 14th, discrete rotating supercell thunderstorms tracking across central Indiana, produced significant hail across northern zones of the region. A prominent storm cell tracked from Lafayette through Marion, dropping golf ball ball-sized hail.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$2,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
4

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS IND wrote it up.

On April 14th, discrete rotating supercell thunderstorms tracking across central Indiana, produced significant hail across northern zones of the region. A prominent storm cell tracked from Lafayette through Marion, dropping golf ball ball-sized hail. Later in the afternoon, a complex of storms caused isolated wind damage in eastern Henry County.

What forecasters said that day

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 Apr 14, 2:05 PM EST, 2 hours 10 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Active pattern this week with near daily chances for showers and storms. Friday likely to be the driest day of the week.
  • Scattered storms possible this afternoon and evening for Central and North Central Indiana, scattered severe possible.
  • Near record warm temperatures expected through Saturday with multiple days in the 80s and lows in the 60s.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 14, 2:05 PM EST, 2 hours 10 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
305 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Active pattern this week with near daily chances for showers and
  storms. Friday likely to be the driest day of the week.

- Scattered storms possible this afternoon and evening for Central
and North Central Indiana, scattered severe possible.

- Near record warm temperatures expected through Saturday with
multiple days in the 80s and lows in the 60s.

&&

.DISCUSSION (This evening through Tuesday)...
Issued at 303 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

An MCS over the upper Mississippi Valley decayed over central IL
early this morning, but its outflow boundary continued to push
through central Indiana, of which led to isolated thunderstorms and
showers north and west of Indianapolis. This boundary is now
stalling over central IL as it interacts with modest SW flow ahead
of a developing low pressure system. Visible satellite imagery is
starting to define this boundary, of which is currently along a line
from Bloomington to Terre Haute; this is supported by the mass
fields in the surface analysis. North/East of this boundary there is
still signals of some mid-level stability both in the cloud features
and from ACAR sounding analysis at KIND. However to its South/West,
modest moisture advection is aiding in quick destabilization
showcased by areas of "popcorn" cumulus.

Convective initiation is expected to begin over the next few hours
over this area, quickly pushing eastward, reaching central Indiana
between 4 and 6PM. Cells initially could begin elevated, but should
quickly erode the weak cap and become surface based with
progression. Parameter spacing for severe weather is rather robust
today with an expected 2-3 kJ/kg of CAPE and greater than 40kt of
effective shear. This should allow for organized/strong updrafts to
develop with a broad risk of damaging wind gusts and large hail.
While tornadoes are not the primary threat, there will be a chance
of isolated tornadoes this evening. The primary concern will be with
cells that become highly deviant along the aforementioned boundary
and brief spin-ups within cell mergers.

The severe threat should wane after 02Z as subsidence on the
backside of the MCS increases convective inhibition. Focus will then
turn to upstream convection over the western Great Lakes. The
primary threat will likely stay well to the north overnight, but
residual outflow boundaries tomorrow could focus initiation over
northern portions of the area in the morning and early afternoon,
with the thunderstorm threat continuing into the early evening.
Confidence in specific locations for thunderstorms is low, and will
greatly depend on the evolution and progression of upstream
convection tonight. Instability will remain high tomorrow but shear
will not be quite as organized leading to a lower overall severe
threat, with a marginal threat of damaging winds and large hail for
most of central Indiana.

The active pattern will continue into the
weekend with multiple waves bringing additional chances for storms
then upper ridging expected to bring drier and cooler air for the
start of the new week.

Wednesday night will start off with an upper short wave tracking
from the central plains to the Great Lakes with showers and storms
along and ahead of the associated cold front. Main threats with this
system will be lightning and stronger wind gusts mixing down within
stronger storms.

The persistent SW flow will prolong the above normal temperatures
through Saturday as highs will range from the 70s to mid 80s and
lows in the 50s to 60s.

Friday will see a break in rain chances then a deep trough will
prompt another round storms for Saturday. Models show that the
surface low with this system will be unaligned and tracking ahead
of its upper component. This will potentially make Saturday's
system more diurnally driven rather than synoptically forced. At
this time, strong deep layer flow will be parallel to the cold
front which could be enough to form a line of storms with damaging
winds being the main concern. Outside of storms, stronger gusts
are likely Saturday and into Sunday since the elevated portion of
the system will be lagging behind. General gusts Saturday could
reach as high as 35-40 mph and around 25 mph on Sunday. There are
still some differences on when the associated cold front would
exit, but likely sometime late Saturday into the overnight hours,
behind which cooler and below normal temperatures will return at
least for the first couple of days of the new week. Lows Monday
morning could be approaching near freezing to mid-30s. Surface
high pressure behind the front looks to track over the Ohio
Valley, allowing for dry weather for the start of the new week as
well.

&&

.AVIATION (18Z TAF Issuance)...
Issued at 107 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

Impacts:

- Wind gusts up to 25 to 30kt likely through the period
- Scattered convection at times, especially during the
  afternoon and evening hours

Discussion:

Scattered to broken low VFR cumulus will be around to start the
period, but bases will rise during the afternoon. Scattered low
level clouds will continue through the period, with some possibility
of broken low VFR conditions returning Wednesday morning.

Multiple boundaries through the period lead to a very uncertain
convection forecast. Will put some PROB30s for a couple of periods
where odds are higher. On Wednesday, the northern sites will have
the most likely odds of convection. MVFR and worse conditions are
possible in convection.

&&

.IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&

AVIATION...50
DISCUSSION...KF/Updike
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 14, 2:27 PM EST, 1 hour 48 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
327 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-151930-
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-
327 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana.

.DAY ONE...Through Tonight.

Thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening, some of which
could be severe. All severe hazards are possible including isolated
tornadoes.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Thunderstorms are expected at times through Saturday. A few severe
storms are possible Wednesday and Thursday with all hazards possible.
Additional strong to severe storms are possible on Saturday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed this evening and then again
Wednesday and Thursday.

&&

More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate
information can be found at http://weather.gov/ind

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 14, 3:22 PM EST, 53 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
422 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

INZ043-044-142045-
Parke IN-Vermillion IN-
422 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Parke and southern
Vermillion Counties through 445 PM EDT...

At 421 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Clinton, or 15 miles northeast of Paris, moving east at 45 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.

Locations impacted include...
Clinton, Rockville, Fairview Park, Montezuma, Dana, Universal, Mecca,
Bloomingdale, Marshall, Blanford, Turkey Run State Park, and Judson.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3972 8753 3983 8753 3993 8711 3969 8703
      3961 8753 3972 8754
TIME...MOT...LOC 2021Z 259DEG 38KT 3974 8745

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

GM
Special weather statement, Apr 14, 3:31 PM EST, 44 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
431 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

INZ021-142045-
Carroll IN-
431 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Carroll
County through 445 PM EDT...

At 431 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Monticello, moving northeast at 45 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.

Locations impacted include...
Yeoman.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4074 8653 4069 8652 4069 8649 4063 8677
      4066 8677 4066 8676 4067 8674 4068 8674
      4068 8676 4069 8675 4070 8676 4072 8675
      4073 8676 4074 8675
TIME...MOT...LOC 2031Z 246DEG 39KT 4074 8668

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

GM
Special weather statement, Apr 14, 3:41 PM EST, 34 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
441 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

INZ036-037-046-142115-
Montgomery IN-Hendricks IN-Boone IN-
441 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Hendricks,
southern Boone and southeastern Montgomery Counties through 515 PM
EDT...

At 441 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles east of Crawfordsville, moving east at 40 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.

Locations impacted include...
Brownsburg, Lebanon, Pittsboro, Whitestown, Ladoga, Jamestown,
Lizton, Advance, New Ross, and Ulen.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 65 between mile markers 129 and 143.
 Interstate 74 between mile markers 38 and 67.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3991 8686 4010 8684 4010 8629 3983 8637
TIME...MOT...LOC 2041Z 274DEG 35KT 4000 8672

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

GM

The radar

The Indianapolis radar (KIND), 36 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:16 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 hail, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Boone

When
April 14, 4:15 PM EST
Where
Boone County, 1.48 mi NNE of Milledgeville
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
39.990, -86.490

Hail, Howard

When
April 14, 4:35 PM EST
Where
Howard County, 1.48 mi SSW of Cassville
Measured
1.25 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.550, -86.130

Hail, Howard

When
April 14, 4:35 PM EST
Where
Howard County, 1.48 mi SSW of Cassville
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
40.550, -86.130

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When
April 14, 5:33 PM EST
Where
Henry County, 0.87 mi SW of Luray
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
40.060, -85.380

Tree downed by thunderstorm wind gusts.

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Indiana in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Indiana, April 2026

Sources

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: 1322206, 1322207, 1322209, 1322210.