On March 13, 2026, a potent late-winter occluded storm system tracked across the Great Lakes while slowly filling, from early morning at 985 mb in northeastern Wisconsin, to late day at 989 mb over the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The system's cold front crossed northern and northeastern portions of central Indiana from 1000 to 1230EST.
Every event with a place to put it; 9 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.
On March 13, 2026, a potent late-winter occluded storm system tracked across the Great Lakes while slowly filling, from early morning at 985 mb in northeastern Wisconsin, to late day at 989 mb over the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The system's cold front crossed northern and northeastern portions of central Indiana from 1000 to 1230EST.
Both an earlier corresponding low-level jet stream axis and a later tighter surface pressure gradient crossed the region, promoting widespread gusty winds veering from southwest to west-northwest while gusting to 45 to 57 mph. When these two features briefly overlapped following the frontal passage, through midday to early afternoon hours, and also coupled with increased boundary layer mixing under plentiful sun, isolated highest wind gusts reached 58-67 mph. Winds subsided quickly through evening hours.
This unusually intense gradient wind episode for the central Indiana region included measured gusts of 58+ mph at seven reporting stations; four reports from Tipton County to Delaware County of semi trucks traveling on north-south roads being blown over to the east; and widely scattered tree, power line, and minor property (mainly roof) damage that was most prevalent in Delaware County.
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 Mar 13, 8:46 AM EST, 1 hour 14 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 946 AM EDT Fri Mar 13 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - High Wind Warning in effect across northeast central Indiana from 5AM Through 8PM today; Wind Advisory in effect elsewhere - Showers and storms return Sunday, with severe weather possible Sunday night. - Breezy/windy again Sunday into Monday - Much colder air early next week, lows in the teens Tuesday && .FORECAST UPDATE... Issued at 946 AM EDT Fri Mar 13 2026 No significant changes needed to the forecast this morning. We continue to expect gusty winds today with frequent gusts between 45- 55 mph southwest of I-65 and between 50-60 mph northeast of I-65. Wind Advisories and High Wind Warnings are being maintained as they currently are. Wind gusts between 40-50 mph have already occurred across the region, with Indianapolis Int'l Airport measuring 53 mph around 9am. Winds may diminish briefly this morning before ramping up again, due to the low-level jet axis passing through and before the tighter MSLP gradient arrives from the west. Now that clouds have cleared, increased boundary layer mixing will allow winds to increase again quickly later this morning. Temperatures likely rise into the 50s/low 60s early before decreasing a bit as winds become more westerly. Dew points have been lower than guidance, which has allowed for some greater mixing this morning. We've lowered dew points to better align with upstream observations. && .SHORT TERM (Today and tonight)... Issued at 253 AM EDT Fri Mar 13 2026 Luck will run out today for those who were hoping for a quiet period of weather. Potent low pressure will move through the lower Great Lakes today. The gradient between this low and high pressure across the southern USA will create windy conditions for central Indiana. Aloft, 850mb winds of 50kt to 70kt will move across the area this morning, diminishing some during the afternoon. Gusts around 30kt have already been noted upstream with the pressure gradient, and as mixing occurs later this morning with heating, some of the stronger winds aloft will bring down higher gusts. Cold advection, especially in the northeastern forecast area, will help mix down the stronger winds as well. Guidance continues to show the potential for 50kt gusts in the northeastern forecast area, and this makes sense given the above. Will continue the High Wind Warning northeast with a Wind Advisory elsewhere. 09Z might be a bit early for reaching criteria, but moving the time at this point isn't really worth it. Winds will diminish as mixing diminishes and the pressure gradient relaxes, so 00Z still looks like a good time to let the warning/advisory expire. Winds will continue to diminish through the evening, with gusts gone by the overnight. Regarding precipitation, lift may generate some patchy light rain or sprinkles across the northern forecast area before 12Z this morning, but dry lower levels will help lower odds of any reaching the ground. Temperatures will peak in the 50s today and fall into the lower 30s tonight. && .LONG TERM (Saturday through Thursday)... Issued at 253 AM EDT Fri Mar 13 2026 Saturday will be quiet with surface high pressure in control. Warm advection may produce an isolated shower Saturday night across the far northern portion of the area. Sunday and Monday... A deepening upper trough will produce a potent low pressure system that will move into the lower Great Lakes by Monday morning. 850mb winds in excess of 50kt will pump warmth and moisture into the area Sunday. High temperatures could reach around 70 degrees. Current timing for the cold front moving through central Indiana is during the night Sunday night. This will help keep instability low, but the impressive wind fields will keep a threat for strong to severe convection going through the night. Wrap around precipitation on Monday will be snow as much colder air moves into the area. Some minor accumulation may occur on elevated surfaces. Temperatures on Monday will only peak in the 30s most areas. Gusty winds will exist outside of any precipitation Sunday through Monday, and a Wind Advisory may be needed at some point during this period. Tuesday... Well below normal temperatures can be expected Tuesday with lows in the teens Monday night and around 20 Tuesday night. Highs Tuesday will only be around 30. Wednesday and beyond... A couple of weak systems in northwest flow aloft could bring some light precipitation on Wednesday and then again Thursday night. Temperatures will moderate, potentially reaching the 60s by Friday. && .AVIATION (12Z TAF Issuance)... Issued at 625 AM EDT Fri Mar 13 2026 Impacts: - Wind gusts reaching 39-45kt by 15Z. Gusts gradually diminish during the afternoon - Non-convective LLWS before 15Z Discussion: VFR conditions are expected through the period. Mid clouds will persist into mid-morning then clouds will diminish. Strong winds aloft will continue LLWS conditions early, then as the pressure gradient tightens and mixing occurs in the daylight hours of this morning, strong gusts will reach the surface. These will gradually diminish during the afternoon as winds aloft weaken and the pressure gradient relaxes. Gusts around 25kt will likely continue through about 02Z. && .IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Warning until 8 PM EDT this evening for INZ021-030-031- 038>042-048-049-057. Wind Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for INZ028-029-035>037- 043>047-051>056-060>065-067>072. && UPDATE...Eckhoff SHORT TERM...50 LONG TERM...50 AVIATION...50
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 332 AM EDT Fri Mar 13 2026 INZ028-029-035>037-043>047-051>056-060>065-067>072-140745- Warren-Tippecanoe-Fountain-Montgomery-Boone-Vermillion-Parke-Putnam- Hendricks-Marion-Vigo-Clay-Owen-Morgan-Johnson-Shelby-Sullivan- Greene-Monroe-Brown-Bartholomew-Decatur-Knox-Daviess-Martin-Lawrence- Jackson-Jennings- 332 AM EDT Fri Mar 13 2026 This hazardous weather outlook is for central Indiana. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. A Wind Advisory is in effect through 800 PM with gusts between 45 to 55 mph possible. Moderate flooding continues on the lower White and lower East Fork White Rivers. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Thunderstorms are possible Sunday night with the potential for severe storms. Wind chills near zero are expected Tuesday morning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report strong wind gusts today and monitor the forecast for Sunday night. && More information, along with other weather, hydrological and climate information can be found at http://weather.gov/ind INZ021-030-031-038>042-048-049-057-140745- Carroll-Clinton-Howard-Tipton-Hamilton-Madison-Delaware-Randolph- Hancock-Henry-Rush- 332 AM EDT Fri Mar 13 2026 This hazardous weather outlook is for northeast central Indiana. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. A HIGH WIND WARNING is in effect through 800 PM for the potential of wind gusts up to 60 mph. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Thunderstorms are possible Sunday night with the potential for severe storms. Wind chills near zero are expected Tuesday morning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report strong wind gusts today and monitor the forecast for Sunday night. && 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.
9 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A non-thunderstorm wind gust at 1323EST downed tree branch near Camden.
A non-thunderstorm wind gust measured 58 mph from due west at 1054EST by KLAF Purdue University Airport.
A non-thunderstorm wind gust measured 58 mph from the west at 1126EST by KGEZ Shelbyville Municipal Airport.
A non-thunderstorm wind gust measured 62 mph from the west at 1330EST by KOKK Kokomo Municipal Airport. Previous to this peak gust, other non-thunderstorm gusts to 59 mph were observed during 1050-1056EST.
A non-thunderstorm wind gust, prior to 1309EST, blew over a semi truck and trailer on US Highway 31 near Indiana Route 28.
Non-thunderstorm wind gusts around 1200EST downed numerous tree branches in Noblesville.
A non-thunderstorm wind gust measured 62 mph from due west at 1249EST by KIND Indianapolis International Airport. A large tree was blown down on the second story of a house at 1210EST next to Butler University. Minor wind damage also occurred at broadcast media about 1 mile northeast of Eagle Creek Park.
A non-thunderstorm wind gust, prior to 1303EST, blew over a semi truck and trailer on Indiana Route 37 at County Road 1550 North. Minor damage also occurred to a building's brick facade in downtown Anderson.
A non-thunderstorm wind gust measured 67 mph from the west at 1308EST by KMIE Delaware County Airport. Non-thunderstorm winds downed multiple trees and power lines throughout the county, blocking roadways. Winds also blew over two semi trucks and trailers on Interstate Route 69, one heading northbound immediately northwest of Daleville, and another southbound near the Pipe Creek Rest Area northwest of Gaston. Winds also caused roof and shingles damage to apartments, buildings and homes on the south side of Muncie. A severe gradient wind gust of 58 mph was also measured at 1340EST by a mesonet station southwest of Mount Pleasant.
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, March 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: 1324166, 1324165, 1324241, 1324167, 1324168, 1324169, 1324239, 1324240, 1324242.