A squall line moved through the Great Lakes region, sparking showers and thunderstorms.
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 ILN wrote it up.
A squall line moved through the Great Lakes region, sparking showers and thunderstorms.
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 Wilmington, OH wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 18, 1:01 PM EST, 5 hours 39 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wilmington OH 201 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Continued to tweak Monday/Tuesday temperatures slightly downward from blended solution. Increased precip/thunderstorm chances for Tuesday afternoon from blended solutions, with only slight change from previous forecast. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Above normal temperatures persist through Tuesday. A cold front approaches the Ohio Valley on Tuesday, bringing a chance for strong to severe storms, followed by cooler temperatures behind the front for mid to late week. 2) Some potential for strong to severe storms in far NW forecast area this afternoon, with a greater chance of strong to severe storms possible Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1) A period of well above normal temperatures will persist through Tuesday ahead of a cold front that passes through the area late Tuesday night. For today and Tuesday, high temperatures range from the mid-upper 80s to around 90. Temperatures on Wednesday are mitigated in the wake of the front, along with any showers and thunderstorms. Highs are expected to range from near 70 northwest to around 80 southeast. Temperatures cool behind the passage of the front Wednesday, lingering into Thursday. Temperatures climb back to above normal Friday and into the weekend. With the increase in temperatures and moisture, some unsettled weather will return for the weekend. KEY MESSAGE 2) While strong to even isolated severe storms are possible this afternoon/early evening in the far NW as the region remains influenced by a departing ridge, bulk shear is a limiting factor, with marginal instability/SB CAPE from 2500 J/Kg peaking over central Indiana and diminishing to <2k J/kg between 20-22z. Enough instability for thunderstorms after 20-22z, but weakening trend to continue, with overall coverage diminishing through the evening. A greater chance for strong to severe storms on Tuesday afternoon into the evening, with main timing from 19-06z, though marginal confidence in especially onset time with varying solutions from the CAMs. Several of the CAMs ramping up SBCAPE values to 2500 J/Kg ahead of the slowly advancing cold front. Effective bulk shear increases to between 20-25kts, but CAM solutions still show pretty unidirectional flow. Strong to severe winds will be the main threat, with DCAPEs ramping up to 900+ J/Kg. The more significant low level shear remains north of the area into northern Ohio/lower Michigan. With plenty of low level moisture and PWATs ramping up to 1.6-1.8", HREF LPMM 24 hour QPF potential of 2 to 2.5" possible, so some potential for isolated minor flooding, though greater heavy rain threat remains west of the forecast area. && .AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... VFR conditions expected through the period. Line of storms approaching from Indiana should diminish as they approach the region, but kept a prob30 for KDAY from 23-03z. With increasing low level flow KLUK not as likely to experience BR, but could be some brief MVFR vsbys toward 10-12z. SW winds 20 to 20 to 25kts will diminish a bit overnight, then ramp up to near 25kts in the warm sector after ~14-16z Tuesday. OUTLOOK...Thunderstorms possible Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night. MVFR ceilings and visibilities are possible Tuesday night into Wednesday and then again on Friday. && .ILN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OH...None. KY...None. IN...None. && DISCUSSION...JDR AVIATION...JDR
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wilmington OH 454 AM EDT Mon May 18 2026 KYZ093>100-OHZ054>056-063>065-072>074-078>082-088-190900- Campbell-Owen-Grant-Pendleton-Bracken-Robertson-Mason-Lewis-Madison- Franklin-Licking-Fayette-Pickaway-Fairfield-Clinton-Ross-Hocking- Clermont-Brown-Highland-Adams-Pike-Scioto- 454 AM EDT Mon May 18 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, northern Kentucky, central Ohio, south central Ohio and southwest Ohio. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. INZ050-058-059-066-073>075-080-KYZ089>092-OHZ026-034-035-042>046- 051>053-060>062-070-071-077-190900- Wayne-Fayette-Union-Franklin-Ripley-Dearborn-Ohio-Switzerland- Carroll-Gallatin-Boone-Kenton-Hardin-Mercer-Auglaize-Darke-Shelby- Logan-Delaware-Miami-Champaign-Clark-Preble-Montgomery-Greene-Butler- Warren-Hamilton- 454 AM EDT Mon May 18 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Indiana, southeast Indiana, northern Kentucky, central Ohio, southwest Ohio and west central Ohio. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are possible this afternoon into early evening. A few of the stronger storms, mainly west of I-75 could become severe with damaging winds and large hail being the main threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Thunderstorms are expected Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night. Storms could be strong to severe with damaging winds and large hail the main threats. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
644 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
INZ058-059-066-073-074-182330-
Fayette IN-Union IN-Ripley IN-Franklin IN-Dearborn IN-
644 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF FRANKLIN AND RIPLEY
COUNTIES IN SOUTHEASTERN INDIANA...UNION COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL
INDIANA...DEARBORN COUNTY IN SOUTHEASTERN INDIANA AND FAYETTE
COUNTIES IN EAST CENTRAL INDIANA THROUGH 730 PM EDT...
At 643 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Greensburg to 11 miles northeast of Scottsburg,
moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 45 mph, frequent cloud-to-ground
lightning, and very heavy rain.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Lightning can cause serious injury or
death. Visibility will be poor and hydroplaning is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Connersville, Batesville, Lawrenceburg, Greendale, Aurora,
Brookville, Bright, Hidden Valley, Liberty, Versailles, Milan,
Osgood, Dillsboro, West College Corner, Oldenburg, Moores Hill,
Glenwood, Lake Santee, Guilford, and Salem.
This includes the following Interstates...
I-74 in Indiana between mile markers 145 and 171.
I-74 in Ohio near mile marker 0.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building.
Motorists should slow down and use extra caution.
When thunder roars, go indoors! Do not stay in the open or seek
shelter under trees when lightning threatens.
To report hazardous weather conditions, go to our website at
weather.gov/iln and submit your report via social media, when you can
do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 3920 8544 3927 8530 3965 8530 3973 8488
3973 8482 3911 8482 3907 8489 3903 8488
3894 8512 3896 8512 3893 8516 3893 8520
3891 8521 3891 8544
TIME...MOT...LOC 2243Z 250DEG 46KT 3940 8550 3881 8564
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...45 MPH
NovakSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
657 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
INZ075-080-KYZ089-182345-
Switzerland IN-Ohio IN-Carroll KY-
657 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF OHIO...SWITZERLAND
AND CARROLL COUNTIES THROUGH 745 PM EDT...
At 656 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 9 miles northwest of Madison to 10 miles south of
Scottsburg, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph, frequent cloud-to-ground
lightning, and very heavy rain.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Lightning can cause serious injury or
death. Visibility will be poor and hydroplaning is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Carrollton, Vevay, Pleasant, French, Fairview, Ghent, Prestonville,
Braytown, Center Square, Aberdeen, Langstaff, Locust, Avonburg,
Moorefield, Mount Sterling, Jacksonville, Pate, Interstate 71 at Mile
Marker 40, Interstate 71 at State Route 227, and Bear Branch.
This includes I-71 in Kentucky between mile markers 39 and 48.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building.
Motorists should slow down and use extra caution.
When thunder roars, go indoors! Do not stay in the open or seek
shelter under trees when lightning threatens.
To report hazardous weather conditions, go to our website at
weather.gov/iln and submit your report via social media, when you can
do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 3874 8526 3869 8520 3891 8520 3894 8512
3894 8510 3895 8508 3895 8506 3897 8505
3898 8500 3899 8500 3899 8495 3901 8495
3903 8488 3877 8500 3876 8502 3875 8501
3860 8508 3858 8521 3863 8523 3874 8533
TIME...MOT...LOC 2256Z 248DEG 44KT 3888 8548 3854 8576
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
NovakSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
726 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
INZ058-059-066-190000-
Fayette IN-Union IN-Franklin IN-
726 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF FRANKLIN COUNTY IN
SOUTHEASTERN INDIANA...UNION AND SOUTHERN FAYETTE COUNTIES IN EAST
CENTRAL INDIANA THROUGH 800 PM EDT...
At 726 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 7 miles north of Lake Santee to near Brookville,
moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 45 mph and very heavy rain.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Visibility will be poor and hydroplaning
is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Connersville, Brookville, Liberty, West College Corner, Salem,
Blooming Grove, Columbia, Metamora, Bunker Hill, Brownsville, Laurel,
Dunlapsville, Whitewater State Park, Goodwins Corner, Mounds State
Recreation Area, Cottage Grove, Peppertown, Buena Vista,
Springersville, and Alquina.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building.
Motorists should slow down and use extra caution.
To report hazardous weather conditions, go to our website at
weather.gov/iln and submit your report via social media, when you can
do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 3962 8530 3972 8481 3945 8482 3934 8518
3942 8530
TIME...MOT...LOC 2326Z 239DEG 34KT 3952 8527 3937 8507
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...45 MPH
NovakSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
734 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
INZ075-080-KYZ089>091-190015-
Switzerland IN-Ohio IN-Boone KY-Carroll KY-Gallatin KY-
734 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF OHIO...SWITZERLAND...
CENTRAL CARROLL...BOONE AND WESTERN GALLATIN COUNTIES THROUGH 815 PM
EDT...
At 734 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Dillsboro to Vevay, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Florence, Erlanger, Elsmere, Villa Hills, Walton, Rising Sun,
Oakbrook, Burlington, Union, Vevay, Warsaw, Fairview, Ghent, Patriot,
Center Square, Aberdeen, Richwood, Big Bone Lick, Waterloo, and
Steele Bottom.
This includes the following Interstates...
I-71 in Kentucky between mile markers 73 and 77.
I-75 in Kentucky between mile markers 171 and 183.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building.
To report hazardous weather conditions, go to our website at
weather.gov/iln and submit your report via social media, when you can
do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 3894 8511 3894 8510 3895 8508 3895 8507
3896 8507 3895 8506 3897 8505 3898 8501
3898 8500 3899 8500 3899 8495 3900 8494
3901 8490 3910 8466 3907 8462 3886 8460
3870 8514
TIME...MOT...LOC 2334Z 228DEG 40KT 3898 8502 3875 8507
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
NovakSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
738 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
INZ066-074-075-KYZ091-OHZ070-077-190015-
Franklin IN-Ohio IN-Dearborn IN-Boone KY-Hamilton OH-Butler OH-
738 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF OHIO...SOUTHEASTERN
FRANKLIN...DEARBORN...NORTHERN BOONE...NORTHWESTERN HAMILTON AND
SOUTHWESTERN BUTLER COUNTIES THROUGH 815 PM EDT...
At 737 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 6 miles east of Brookville to near Aurora, moving
northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and very heavy rain.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Visibility will be poor and hydroplaning
is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Cincinnati, Hamilton, Fairfield, Harrison, Lawrenceburg, Greendale,
Aurora, Bright, Hidden Valley, Ross, Cleves, Dillsboro, Shawnee,
Taylor Creek, Bridgetown, Miami Heights, Dry Ridge, Blue Jay, Dunlap,
and Mack.
This includes the following Interstates...
I-74 in Indiana between mile markers 160 and 171.
I-74 in Ohio between mile markers 0 and 13.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building.
Motorists should slow down and use extra caution.
To report hazardous weather conditions, go to our website at
weather.gov/iln and submit your report via social media, when you can
do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 3952 8460 3909 8464 3895 8508 3939 8501
TIME...MOT...LOC 2337Z 221DEG 50KT 3943 8488 3902 8495
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
NovakSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
739 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
OHZ051-190015-
Miami OH-
739 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHERN MIAMI
COUNTY THROUGH 815 PM EDT...
At 739 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Pleasant Hill,
moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 45 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Troy, Piqua, West Milton, Covington, Pleasant Hill, Fletcher, Ludlow
Falls, and Farrington.
This includes I-75 in Ohio between mile markers 73 and 85.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building.
To report hazardous weather conditions, go to our website at
weather.gov/iln and submit your report via social media, when you can
do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 4018 8403 3996 8430 4002 8442 4020 8430
TIME...MOT...LOC 2339Z 221DEG 31KT 4003 8433
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...45 MPH
NovakThe Cincinnati radar (KILN), 101 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:41 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree and several power lines were downed along State Route 148.
Several trees were downed in the city of Centerville.
Several trees were downed in the city of Richmond.
A tree was downed onto a power line.
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, May 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: 1327518, 1327520, 1327521, 1327523, 1327525.