During the 17th evening into the 18th early morning, a strong upper-level disturbance interacted with a warm, moist, and unstable airmass across central and southern Indiana. Strong vertical wind shear and moderate atmospheric instability supported the rapid development of supercells and bowing linear segments capable of producing tornadoes, damaging straight-line winds, and torrential rainfall.
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 17th evening into the 18th early morning, a strong upper-level disturbance interacted with a warm, moist, and unstable airmass across central and southern Indiana. Strong vertical wind shear and moderate atmospheric instability supported the rapid development of supercells and bowing linear segments capable of producing tornadoes, damaging straight-line winds, and torrential rainfall.
Severe weather initiated in western Indiana around 7:40 PM EST on June 17 and tracked southeastward across the state through 1:25 AM EST on June 18. Four tornadoes touched down during the outbreak, highlighted by a strong EF-3 tornado with peak winds of 140 mph that tracked over 18 miles across Owen and Monroe counties, causing severe structural damage to residential properties and widespread tree damage. Three additional EF-1 tornadoes, with peak winds ranging between 95 mph and 110 mph, caused localized structural and timber damage across Vigo, Clay, Brown, and Jackson counties.
In addition to tornadoes, widespread straight-line wind gusts between 58 mph and 70 mph caused scattered tree and power line damage across broad portions of central and southern Indiana, resulting in temporary road blockages and localized power outages. Intense rainfall rates accompanying the initial severe thunderstorms also produced localized flash flooding in Vigo County, leading to multiple road closures in and around Terre Haute. This severe weather event would be the fifth of many for the month which would eventually define a formal disaster period from June 6th to the 18th which was declared by the governor of Indiana.
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 Jun 17, 6:53 PM EST, 47 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 753 PM EDT Wed Jun 17 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Another round of storms expected this evening into the early overnight - Damaging winds and tornadoes are the main threats with large hail also possible - Flood Watch through 2AM with rain amounts locally as high as 4 inches - Below normal temperatures will continue for much of the period && .MESOSCALE UPDATE... Issued at 730 PM EDT Wed Jun 17 2026 Surface mesoanalysis shows strongest pressure falls are located across central Indiana with between 3-4 mb/2 hr. This is collocated with the core of the 50-60 kt 850 mb jet per objective analysis and recent IND VWP data. Thanks to locally backed low level flow and moderately strong 700 mb flow, strong low level shear currently exists across the region. An incredible 0-1 KM SRH from 700-800 M2/S2 and 0-3 KM SRH around 1200 M2/S2 has been noted recently on VWP data. So far the main limiting factors for a more significant tornado threat across IL/IN with ongoing convection is substantial mid level warming (700 mb temps around 10 C per STL ACARS sounding) combined with modest surface based convective inhibition leading to weak 0-3 KM lapse rates under 6 C/KM, modest instability /1000-1500 MUCAPE/ and 50-100 J/KG OF MU/SBCINH/. The existence of this mid level warming with forced ascent through the inhibition layer centered from 850-700 mb combined with the strong 0-3 km shear has been confirmed from recent storm chaser video feeds showing a classic large base with laminar shape and limited low level vertical motion/vorticity generation. Continued low level moistening with dewpts rising into the lower 70s per downstream obs in southern MO/IL combined with slight mid level cooling (likely reason for renewed CI over wcentral IL) should support a increasing surface based storm threat in the next 1-3 hrs. Therefore there still remains a significant tornado threat, as low level shear will remain near current values through 11 PM EDT before gradually weakening from the west. The significant tornado threat will include all of central Indiana, with the likelihood for scattered very large hail and damaging winds gusts. && .DISCUSSION (This evening through Wednesday)... Issued at 148 PM EDT Wed Jun 17 2026 Overview. A widespread and significant severe weather outbreak is expected for today with the first round of mostly sub-severe storms moving through Indiana and western Illinois at this time. Expectations are for a second round of severe storms towards the evening and early overnight hours with the threat for damaging winds, tornadoes, large hail, and flash flooding. The threat for higher-end tornadoes will be dependent on how long storms remain discrete, which currently looks likely through at least Illinois and portions of western Indiana. Flash flooding will also become a concern, especially towards southern Indiana as the convective line slows. Following tonight, the pattern will transition toward a quieter and more stable state. While lingering moisture may cause some cloudiness early Thursday, the overall trend through the remainder of the week and into early next week is quiet with high pressure and seasonal temperatures. Rest of Today. The synoptic pattern remains highly anomalous for mid-June, characterized by a deep mid-level trough and a robust 130+ kt jet streak translating into the southern Great Lakes. Surface analysis reveals a deepening low to our northwest with an advancing cold front that will serve as the primary focus for convective initiation this evening. High-resolution guidance, including the 12Z and latest HRRR runs, confirms a significant severe weather threat, with a heightened concern for discrete supercellular development across west-central Indiana with the 2nd round of storms. The environment is undergoing a rapid, efficient moisture surge, with dew points already rising into the low 60s towards southwestern Indiana. This influx of high-theta-e air is expected to compensate for any lingering morning cloud cover or convective inhibition, providing sufficient buoyancy for surface-based convection. Of primary meteorological concern is the highly anomalous kinematic environment. Model soundings continue to depict elongated, highly curved low-level hodographs with backed surface winds and nearly 70 kt flow at 1 km, creating an environment favorable for significant, long-lived tornadoes if the cells can remain discrete. Current CAM consensus suggests that west-central Indiana remains the primary corridor for potential tornadogenesis, as storms here will be best positioned to interact with maximized low-level helicity and localized outflow boundaries before upscale growth into a more linear mode occurs. While the potential for discrete, supercellular cells is the immediate priority, the transition to a bowing line segment later this evening brings an increasing risk of destructive straight-line winds, potentially enhanced by wake low development. Flash flooding also remains a secondary but serious hazard, as high PWAT values and potential training of convective elements may lead to rapid, localized rainfall accumulations. The situation remains highly dynamic and warrants close monitoring of convective initiation timing and the exact positioning of the surface warm front as the afternoon progresses. Outside of the severe weather, both flooding and strong gradient winds will be a concern with the gradient wind threat mainly through 00Z and the flooding threat mainly associated with the second round of convection. HREF PMMs show pockets of 4+ inches with some uncertainty as to where the axis of heaviest rain will fall. Confidence is currently highest across southern Indiana but with the uncertainty, we plan on issuing a flood watch through the entire forecast area, especially considering the very heavy rains so far this June. Thursday through Saturday. As the potent cold front responsible for the Wednesday storms pushes well to our east, a deep, dry northwesterly flow will become established across the Ohio Valley. On Thursday, any lingering cloud cover from the overnight period will quickly scatter and dissipate, giving way to abundant sunshine. Model guidance shows a noticeable drop in dew points throughout the day, leading to a very comfortable afternoon with high temperatures in the lower to middle 70s. Friday and Saturday will feature pleasant early-summer weather with a surface high-pressure system tracking across the Great Lakes and into the Ohio Valley. This system will suppress any potential for convective development, ensuring clear to mostly sunny skies and light, variable winds. With the lack of any significant forcing mechanisms and a very dry air column, the forecast remains dry with high confidence. Daytime temperatures will be pleasant, ranging from the mid-70s on Friday to near 80 degrees by Saturday, while overnight lows will settle into the cool and refreshing 50s. Sunday through Wednesday. The quiet conditions are expected to persist through the second half of the weekend and into the early part of next week. Ensemble guidance remains in strong agreement that an upper-level ridge of high pressure will amplify across the central United States, effectively keeping the pattern dry and stable pattern for Indiana. Sunday will be another beautiful day, with temperatures nudging slightly higher into the low 80s under mostly sunny skies. Looking toward the beginning of the new work week, this ridge will shift eastward, allowing for a gradual warming trend. By Monday and Tuesday, afternoon highs are expected to reach the mid-80s. While some long-range ensemble members suggest a potential breakdown of the ridge by next Wednesday, the current moisture profile indicates that any return to a more active, unsettled pattern will be delayed until the latter half of the week. && .AVIATION (00Z TAF Issuance)... Issued at 752 PM EDT Wed Jun 17 2026 Impacts: - Showers and thunderstorms this evening and into the overnight. IFR or worse conditions possible at times. - Wind gusts over 25kt into the early morning hours. Discussion: Expect a line of convection moving from the northwest through 06Z. IFR and worse conditions are possible especially in heavier rain, along with severe convection. Outside of convection winds gusts will be up to 25-35kt likely. Higher gusts possible in stronger storms. The rest of the period will generally be dry with some breezy conditions, gusts up to 15-20 kts, possible into tomorrow. && .IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch until 4 AM EDT Thursday for INZ021-028>031-035>049- 051>057-060>065-067>072. && AVIATION...KF DISCUSSION...White
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 543 PM EDT Wed Jun 17 2026 INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-182145- 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- 543 PM EDT Wed Jun 17 2026 This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Another round of storms will be moving through until the early overnight hours with a Tornado Watch in effect until 1am EDT. Damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes, and heavy rain are all possible. Outside of thunderstorms, winds will gust to around 40 mph this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Thunderstorms are possible Sunday into Monday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is requested into the early overnight hours. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found at http://weather.gov/ind
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
433 PM EDT Wed Jun 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0945 PM Tornado 3 E Putnamville 39.57N 86.81W
06/16/2026 Putnam IN NWS Storm Survey
An EF-1 tornado with path length of 9.37
miles began at this location. The path width
was 100 yards with a peak wind speed of 105
mph. The tornado moved mostly over rural
areas of Putnam County but caused impacts to
two homes and several groves of trees.
&&
AWPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
447 PM EDT Wed Jun 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0845 PM Tornado 3 E Putnamville 39.57N 86.81W
06/16/2026 Putnam IN NWS Storm Survey
Corrects previous tornado report from 3 E
Putnamville. An EF-1 tornado with path
length of 9.37 miles began at this location.
The path width was 100 yards with a peak
wind speed of 105 mph. The tornado moved
mostly over rural areas of Putnam County but
caused impacts to two homes and several
groves of trees.
&&
AWThe Indianapolis radar (KIND), 97 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:42 UTC.
21 thunderstorm wind, 6 tornado, 4 flash flood, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds.
Large tree downed by thunderstorm wind gusts on Meridian Line Road.
A 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust was measured at this location.
An EF-1 tornado with path length of 6.64 miles and a path width of 300 yards began in eastern Vigo County. Within Vigo county the peak width was 75 yards, path length of 2.14 miles and peak winds of 95 mph. The peak winds were 110 mph after it moved into Clay county. Damage within Vigo county was limited to tree damage along East Dallas Drive.
An EF-1 tornado with path length of 6.64 miles and a path width of 300 yards began in eastern Vigo County before moving into Clay county. Within Clay county the peak width was 300 yards, path length of 4.5 miles and peak winds of 110 mph. Damage within Clay county included significant damage to a 100 year old brick barn and several homesteads in western Clay county along 200S.
Trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds.
Numerous roads closed due to flooding in Terre Haute and points to the south in Vigo County.
An EF-3 tornado with path length of at 18.49 miles and maximum width of 880 yards began in eastern Owen county. The peak winds were 140 mph, but within Owen county the maximum width was 250 yards with peak winds of 85 mph making it officially an EF-0 for the county. Damage was sporadic with several trees damaged and 1 structure impacted.
A 15 inch diameter tree was downed by thunderstorm wind gusts along with shingle damage.
An EF-3 tornado with path length of at 18.49 miles and maximum width of 880 yards moved through much of Monroe county after exiting Owen county.. The peak winds were 140 mph. Drone footage showed a widespread path through mostly forested area with several areas of widespread debarking of the trees. The tornado impacted and destroyed several homes along Bowman and Mount Pleasant Road with the most intense damage along Buskirk road. The tornado crossed Interstate 69 and continued further into forested areas of Morgan Monroe forest.
Trees damage from thunderstorm winds.
Water flowing across multiple roads south of Terre Haute.
Large tree uprooted, several limbs snapped by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Lightning caused a fire to a home.
Several tree limbs snapped by thunderstorm wind gusts in town.
An EF-1 tornado with path length 1.37 miles and maximum width 100 yards moved through mostly rural areas of Brown county. The peak winds were 100 mph with the tornado causing extensive tree damage and mainly roof damage to a couple buildings.
Trees and power lines downed by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Large tree snapped by thunderstorm wind gusts near SR 159.
Several snapped tree limbs by thunderstorm wind gusts east of SR 3 north of North Vernon. Two homes were also damaged.
Thunderstorm winds downed trees into power lines at US Highway 231 and County Club Road. Highway closed in both directions.
Thunderstorm winds downed multiple trees in Owen County.
A tree was downed by thunderstorm wind gusts.
An EF-1 tornado with path length of 6.35 miles and a maximum width of 325 yards moved through portions of Jackson county. The peak winds were 110 mph with the tornado impacting mostly heavily wooded areas and a few residences.
Power lines downed by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Tree limb downed by thunderstorm wind gusts onto a house which caused a gas leak.
Tree downed by thunderstorm wind gusts with partial road blockage.
Power lines downed by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Tree damage caused by thunderstorm wind gusts across much of the county.
Trees and power lines downed by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Tree downed by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Creeks flowing outside of their banks and causing flash flooding west of Bryantsville, up to the Daviess county line.
Several creeks flowing outside of their banks causing travel issues.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Indiana, 2026Warnings in Indiana, June 2026
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: 1342646, 1342647, 1342653, 1342651, 1342652, 1342666, 1342655, 1342668, 1342672, 1342727, 1342741, 1356635, 1342743, 1342825, 1342749, 1342747, 1342751, 1342754, 1342756, 1342758, 1342759, 1356641, 1342763, 1342765, 1342766, 1342767, 1342769, 1342770, 1342826, 1356640, 1356636, 1356638.