Thunderstorm Wind, Tippecanoe
- When
- June 9, 5:39 PM EST
- Where
- Tippecanoe County, 1.26 mi WSW of (Laf)purdue Univ Laf
- Measured
- 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- ASOS
- Coordinates
- 40.410, -86.950
KLAF ASOS measured a 53 kt thunderstorm wind gust.
During the 9th evening, a moist and unstable airmass across central Indiana interacted with an approaching upper-level disturbance resulting in severe thunderstorms. Thunderstorms initially developed in western and northwestern central Indiana after 6:00 PM EST before organizing into line segments that tracked eastward across the region through the late evening and overnight hours.
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 9th evening, a moist and unstable airmass across central Indiana interacted with an approaching upper-level disturbance resulting in severe thunderstorms. Thunderstorms initially developed in western and northwestern central Indiana after 6:00 PM EST before organizing into line segments that tracked eastward across the region through the late evening and overnight hours.
Strong straight-line wind gusts were produced by the severe thunderstorms. Peak measured wind gusts reached 61 mph at the Purdue University Airport in Tippecanoe County and 63 mph at the Indianapolis Regional Airport in Hancock County. The severe winds caused broad impacts across Tippecanoe, Vigo, Clay, Morgan, Hendricks, Hancock, and Johnson counties, primarily consisting of downed trees, large tree limbs, and localized power line damage that created temporary roadway obstructions.
Repeated convective activity and heavy rainfall totals between 2.5 and 4 inches subsequently impacted eastern portions of the area during the early morning hours of June 10. This heavy rain led to localized flash flooding across roadways in Decatur County, though no building inundation or water rescues were reported before floodwaters receded. This severe weather event would be the second 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 9, 1:30 PM EST, 4 hours 9 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 230 PM EDT Tue Jun 9 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Scattered showers/t-storms possible late this afternoon and overnight. Isolated flooding possible. - Humid and very warm Wednesday and Thursday. Storm chances Wednesday Night. - Slightly cooler weather for the weekend with lower rain chances && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 229 PM EDT Tue Jun 9 2026 Surface analysis this afternoon shows warm and humid SW flow in place across Central Indiana. A weak and small surface low was found over WI and Lake Michigan, with a warm front extending south into eastern IL. A few thunderstorms were developing along this boundary, pushing east toward Indiana. Water Vapor shows this weak ripple/disturbance within the flow over IL and MO. The warm and humid air mass remains in place across Central Indiana. Tonight...the upper wave and surface front is expected to push across central Indiana. This in combination with the warm and humid air mass in place across the area will lead to showers and thunderstorm development late this afternoon and into the evening once again. HRRR suggests best development chances and propagation within the 23Z-04Z time period as forcing dynamics begin to interact with the 2000-3000 J/KG of CAPE across Indiana. Thus will use high pops for this afternoon and early evening. Convection should remain to the south of Central Indiana overnight, focusing where the remaining new boundary will likely reside. Again, given our very warm and humid air mass heavy rain will be possible that could result in localized flooding. Wednesday...in the wake of the warm front, warmer temperatures are expected to arrive on SW winds. A much drier column is suggested to arrive on Wednesday as ridging is expected to build aloft. Forecast soundings show attainable convective temperatures, but a mid level inversion and 700mb temps near 11.5C should provide and effective cap. Given the warm air mass and excellent mixing expected, highs in the lower 90s will be expected. Models are signaling for rain chances on Wednesday night as a weak wave of forcing, possibly and MCS, could pass through the area. Confidence is low for this as the wave of forcing appears broad and weak, and models are differing on propagation after initiation that is expected over IL. For now will include pops until a better consensus is reached. Another warm and humid night with highs in the lower 70s will be expected. Thursday...Another hot and humid day will be expected as another weak ridge is expected to pass within the flow aloft. Southwest flow aloft suggests no forcing and a weak thermal ridge ahead of an approaching cold front is expected to reside over Indiana. Again, forecast soundings show very high 700mb temperatures and a cap. Thus another hot and humid summer day will be expected with highs in the lower 90s. Friday Through Tuesday... A cold front will be pushing across Central Indiana on Friday morning. This feature looks to be accompanied by an upper trough, providing ample forcing while a warm and humid air mass remains in place within the lower levels. Shower chances will continue to be needed. On Saturday and Sunday, more of zonal flow come into play across Central Indiana. In the wake of the cold front, strong high pressure builds across the southern plains, quickly allowing the return of south and southwesterly flow into Central Indiana. This should result in dry weather on Saturday. A quick moving cold front arriving overnight on Sunday may result in some lighter showers and storms, continuing through the morning hours, before Canadian high pressure builds dry weather in the afternoon. Cooler temperatures will arrive in the wake of the front that will persist on Sunday through Tuesday. Models still trying to include some pops on Monday and Tuesday, but the signal remains weak. Flow aloft suggests a mainly zonal flow with perhaps a weak short wave passing on Tuesday. At the moment better chances look to be on Tuesday with the weak short wave and perhaps an approaching surface warm front from the southwest. Uncertainty here remains high. && .AVIATION (18Z TAF Issuance)... Issued at 105 PM EDT Tue Jun 9 2026 Impacts: - MVFR conditions becoming VFR. - Showers and Thunderstorms possible this afternoon and evening, with IFR conditions possible with any thunderstorm that strikes a TAF site. Discussion: A departing upper wave will allow for diurnal convection to still occur across Central Indiana this afternoon due to warm and humid conditions. HRRR suggests iso/sct convection across the area late this afternoon, propagating SE. Thus have included tempo groups at IND and BMG to account for this. Confidence for precise timing and locations remain low. Overnight should be mainly dry as best forcing is lost in the way of daytime heating, thus have trended toward just VFR cigs overnight as residual lower level moisture remains. && .IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && AVIATION...Puma DISCUSSION...Puma
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 243 PM EDT Tue Jun 9 2026 INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-101845- 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- 243 PM EDT Tue Jun 9 2026 This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana. .DAY ONE...Through Tonight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected late this afternoon and tonight. Widespread severe storms are not expected. Storms may produce heavy rain, resulting in localized flooding. Lightning is a threat from any thunderstorm. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Hot weather is expected on Wednesday and Thursday with highs in the lower 90s. Daily chances for storms through Thursday Night. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible on Thursday and Thursday Night. More storms are possible on Sunday through Tuesday. It is too soon to determine if these storms will be severe. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found at http://weather.gov/ind
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
229 PM EDT Tue Jun 9 2026
INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-100800-
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-
Including the cities of Delphi, Flora, Williamsport,
West Lebanon, Lafayette, West Lafayette, Frankfort, Kokomo,
Attica, Covington, Veedersburg, Crawfordsville, Lebanon,
Zionsville, Tipton, Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, Anderson,
Muncie, Winchester, Union City, Farmland, Parker City, Clinton,
Fairview Park, Rockville, Montezuma, Rosedale, Greencastle,
Plainfield, Brownsburg, Danville, Indianapolis, Greenfield,
New Castle, Terre Haute, Brazil, Spencer, Gosport, Martinsville,
Mooresville, Greenwood, Franklin, Shelbyville, Rushville,
Sullivan, Carlisle, Shelburn, Farmersburg, Linton, Bloomfield,
Jasonville, Worthington, Bloomington, Nashville, Columbus,
Greensburg, Vincennes, Washington, Loogootee, Shoals, Bedford,
Mitchell, Seymour, and North Vernon
229 PM EDT Tue Jun 9 2026
...SUMMER HEAT IN STORE FOR INDIANA WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY...
Early season heat is upon us, with forecasted high temperatures
for Wednesday and Thursday in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Gulf
moisture surging northward into the state will bring heat indices
into the 95 to 104-degree temperature range during peak heating
both days.
Use the following safety tips for facing the heat safely:
* Stay hydrated, avoiding alcohol and drinks with heavy
caffeine or sugar.
* Dress in loose fitting clothing, light in color.
* Take advantage of shade and air conditioning when possible.
* Take frequent breaks when working outdoors.
* Beware that automobiles heat up very quickly, thus pets and
children should not be left in parked vehicles for any length
of time.
* Vulnerable populations are particularly at risk: elderly,
infants, and people with chronic medical conditions.
For more information about heat, visit weather.gov/safety/heat.
BHHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
620 PM EDT Tue Jun 9 2026
INZ028-029-092300-
Warren IN-Tippecanoe IN-
620 PM EDT Tue Jun 9 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Tippecanoe
and northeastern Warren Counties through 700 PM EDT...
At 620 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Otterbein, moving northeast at 25 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...
Lafayette, West Lafayette, Shadeland, Battle Ground, and Purdue
University.
This includes Interstate 65 between mile markers 170 and 183.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4045 8669 4041 8669 4034 8709 4037 8710
4035 8711 4034 8715 4046 8719 4048 8715
4048 8709 4050 8709 4056 8693 4056 8675
TIME...MOT...LOC 2220Z 246DEG 20KT 4041 8706
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
GMThe Indianapolis radar (KIND), 97 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:39 UTC.
12 thunderstorm wind, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
KLAF ASOS measured a 53 kt thunderstorm wind gust.
Thunderstorm wind gusts downed a tree.
Sporadic tree damage due to thunderstorm wind gusts.
Large tree limbs downed by thunderstorm wind gusts. Minor flooding on roadway.
Thunderstorm wind gusts downed a tree near Bowling Green.
Large branch snapped by thunderstorm wind gusts and blocking Rooker Road.
Large tree limb downed by thunderstorm wind gusts.
Thunderstorm wind gusts downed many trees and a few powerlines near IN-44 near Cope Road and Old Moore Road.
KMQJ AWOS - Indianapolis Regional Airport measured a 55 kt thunderstorm wind gust.
Thunderstorm wind gusts downed a tree.
Thunderstorm wind gusts downed numerous trees across central and southern Johnson County into Franklin area.
Thunderstorm wind gusts downed a tree across a road.
Flash flooding reported on roads near Greensburg area from 2.5 to 4 inches of heavy rain that fell in a few hours. No building inundation or water rescues were reported before floodwaters receded.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Indiana in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings 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: 1342965, 1342966, 1342967, 1342968, 1342969, 1342971, 1342973, 1342974, 1342975, 1342977, 1342997, 1342976, 1343074.