A cold front moved through the Ohio Valley during the afternoon and evening hours. Strong storms developed and produced damaging wind gusts and localized flooding.
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 cold front moved through the Ohio Valley during the afternoon and evening hours. Strong storms developed and produced damaging wind gusts and localized flooding.
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 19, 12:57 PM EST, 4 hours 21 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wilmington OH 157 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Minor changes to timing/pcpn chances tonight. Trended pops upward for Wednesday. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Strong to severe storms are possible late this afternoon and evening. 2) Showers will linger into the day on Wednesday. As the cold front moves to the southeast, a cooler airmass will settle into the region for Thursday. 3) Periods of rain with embedded thunderstorms are expected Friday with additional chances for precipitation through the weekend. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1) A mid level short wave will move east-northeast across the Ohio Valley region this afternoon into tonight as a cold front slowly drops southeast into our region overnight. Moist southwest flow ahead of this will allow for decent moisture advection up into our area with PWs nudging up to around 1.8 inches or so heading into the overnight hours. Meanwhile, ample sunshine across our area this afternoon has helped push MLCapes into the 1500 to 2000 J/KG range early this afternoon for areas along and northwest of I-71 and these will likely continue to increase a bit more over the next few hours. While the better deep layer shear will generally remain off to our northwest, 0-6 km shear values in the 20 to 25 knot range will develop into mainly our northwest areas later this afternoon and into this evening. While some isolated showers and thunderstorms will be possible along the instability gradient through mid afternoon, expect a more consolidated axis of showers and thunderstorms to move into the area from the west late this afternoon and into this evening, before likely weakening as in moves into our eat/southeast and the forcing and instability begins to wane later tonight. With the low level shear fairly weak, expect the main threat to be damaging winds, especially given DCAPES are already in the 1000-1200 J/KG range across our northwest. With the potential for some stronger updrafts in the better instability, some large hail may also be possible early into the event later this afternoon/early evening. Expect the best chance for severe to be along and northwest of the I-71 corridor, with the highest chance across our far west/northwest. While the activity will be fairly progressive, locally heavy rainfall will be possible given the elevated PWs. This could lead to a lower end flooding threat, especially for areas across our Indiana counties, where 1 to locally 2 inches of rain fell with Monday's event. KEY MESSAGE 2) A secondary mid level short wave will ride northeast along the front on Wednesday, helping to slow the southeast progression of the front. Expect fairly widespread shower activity to linger into the day on Wednesday and with the potential for some weak instability across our southeast, some embedded thunderstorms will be possible into the afternoon. Any lingering pcpn across our southeast should taper off heading into Wednesday evening. A cooler airmass will be in place across the region on Thursday with afternoon highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s. KEY MESSAGE 3) Additional rounds of mid level energy will lift northeast through the Ohio Valley Friday into the weekend. Models are suggesting a surface wave may develop on Friday, leading to widespread showers and a chance for thunderstorms. In continued moist southwest flow, temperatures will moderate through the weekend. The potential will exist for additional chances for showers and thunderstorms into the weekend but this will be at least somewhat dependent on the timing and placement of the mid level energy. && .AVIATION /14Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Scattered cu has developed across the area this afternoon in an increasingly unstable airmass. Isolated thunderstorms will remain possible over the next several hours. A better chance for showers and thunderstorms will then overspread the TAF sites late this afternoon into this evening ahead of an approaching cold front. Showers and the chance for a few embedded thunderstorms will then linger into the overnight hours as the cold front moves southeast through the area. As the front moves through, southwest winds will shift to the west and then northwest/north overnight into Wednesday morning. Cigs will also lower into MVFR and then possibly IFR late tonight into Wednesday morning. Additional shower chances and MVFR cigs will then persist into Wednesday afternoon. OUTLOOK...MVFR ceilings and visibilities are possible Friday into Saturday. && .ILN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OH...None. KY...None. IN...None. && DISCUSSION...JGL AVIATION...JGL
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wilmington OH 330 AM EDT Tue May 19 2026 KYZ098>100-OHZ073-074-081-082-088-200730- Robertson-Mason-Lewis-Ross-Hocking-Adams-Pike-Scioto- 330 AM EDT Tue May 19 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, northern Kentucky, central Ohio and south central Ohio. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. 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>097-OHZ026-034-035-042>046- 051>056-060>065-070>072-077>080-200730- Wayne-Fayette-Union-Franklin-Ripley-Dearborn-Ohio-Switzerland- Carroll-Gallatin-Boone-Kenton-Campbell-Owen-Grant-Pendleton-Bracken- Hardin-Mercer-Auglaize-Darke-Shelby-Logan-Delaware-Miami-Champaign- Clark-Madison-Licking-Preble-Montgomery-Greene-Pickaway-Fairfield- Butler-Warren-Clinton-Hamilton-Clermont-Brown-Highland- 330 AM EDT Tue May 19 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Indiana, southeast Indiana, northern Kentucky, central Ohio, south central Ohio, southwest Ohio and west central Ohio. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and tonight. Storms could be strong to severe with damaging winds and large hail the main threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
517 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
OHZ034-192145-
Mercer OH-
517 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHERN MERCER
COUNTY THROUGH 545 PM EDT...
At 517 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 7 miles east of
Berne, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Hail may cause minor damage to
vegetation.
Locations impacted include...
Celina, Rockford, Wabash, Mendon, Chattanooga, Neptune, and Tama.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
west central Ohio.
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 4073 8446 4063 8445 4063 8446 4058 8446
4051 8480 4073 8480
TIME...MOT...LOC 2117Z 247DEG 18KT 4067 8481
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
HatzosSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
531 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
INZ073-192200-
Ripley IN-
531 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF SOUTHWESTERN RIPLEY
COUNTY THROUGH 600 PM EDT...
At 531 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 8 miles east of
Vernon, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 45 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Hail may cause minor damage to
vegetation.
Locations impacted include...
Versailles, Holton, Versailles Lake, Cross Plains, Rexville, Benham,
Olean, and New Marion.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
southeastern Indiana.
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 3907 8544 3912 8518 3897 8518 3891 8521
3891 8544
TIME...MOT...LOC 2131Z 262DEG 23KT 3897 8546
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...45 MPH
HatzosSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
547 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
INZ050-058-059-192215-
Fayette IN-Wayne IN-Union IN-
547 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN WAYNE...
NORTHWESTERN UNION AND CENTRAL FAYETTE COUNTIES IN EAST CENTRAL
INDIANA THROUGH 615 PM EDT...
At 547 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Connersville,
moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 45 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Hail may cause minor damage to
vegetation.
Locations impacted include...
Richmond, Connersville, Centerville, Cambridge City, Liberty,
Waterloo, Bunker Hill, Abington, Brownsville, Milton, Greens Fork,
East Germantown, Spring Grove, Mount Auburn, Mettel Field, Clifton,
Jacksonburg, Bentonville, and Philomath.
This includes I-70 in Indiana between mile markers 139 and 149.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
east central Indiana.
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 3979 8523 3979 8522 3980 8521 3991 8501
3984 8487 3965 8487 3958 8522 3976 8528
TIME...MOT...LOC 2147Z 231DEG 22KT 3969 8514
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...45 MPH
HatzosSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
606 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
OHZ035-043-192230-
Auglaize OH-Shelby OH-
606 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHWESTERN SHELBY
AND AUGLAIZE COUNTIES THROUGH 630 PM EDT...
At 605 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over New Knoxville,
moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 45 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Hail may cause minor damage to
vegetation.
Locations impacted include...
Wapakoneta, St. Marys, Fort Shawnee, New Bremen, Minster,
Cridersville, Botkins, New Knoxville, Waynesfield, Moulton, Buckland,
Uniopolis, Kettlersville, Fryburg, Lake Loramie State Park, St.
Johns, and Bulkhead.
This includes I-75 in Ohio between mile markers 104 and 118.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
west central Ohio.
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 4066 8422 4066 8411 4064 8411 4064 8394
4060 8389 4035 8435 4050 8446 4051 8445
4069 8426 4069 8422
TIME...MOT...LOC 2205Z 234DEG 39KT 4049 8433
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...45 MPH
AienaSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
614 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
OHZ042-043-051-192245-
Darke OH-Shelby OH-Miami OH-
614 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF SHELBY...
NORTHEASTERN DARKE AND NORTHWESTERN MIAMI COUNTIES THROUGH 645 PM
EDT...
At 614 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Versailles,
moving northeast at 35 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. Hail may cause minor damage to
vegetation.
Locations impacted include...
Sidney, Versailles, Newport, Anna, Fort Loramie, Botkins, Hardin,
Webster, Russia, Port Jefferson, Osgood, Kettlersville, Lockington,
Yorkshire, Polo, Newbern, Darke County Airport, Willowdell, Horatio,
and Bloomer.
This includes I-75 in Ohio between mile markers 87 and 105.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
west central Ohio.
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 4027 8402 4012 8453 4030 8458 4036 8445
4036 8443 4038 8440 4038 8434 4041 8434
4048 8417
TIME...MOT...LOC 2214Z 234DEG 31KT 4022 8447
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
HatzosSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
618 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
OHZ026-035-192245-
Auglaize OH-Hardin OH-
618 PM EDT Tue May 19 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF WESTERN HARDIN AND
NORTHEASTERN AUGLAIZE COUNTIES THROUGH 645 PM EDT...
At 618 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Wapakoneta,
moving northeast at 35 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. Hail may cause minor damage to
vegetation.
Locations impacted include...
Wapakoneta, Ada, Fort Shawnee, Cridersville, Dunkirk, Alger,
Waynesfield, Blanchard, Roundhead, Mcguffey, Uniopolis, Dola,
Fryburg, Jumbo, Huntersville, St. Johns, Walton, New Hampshire, and
State Route 195 at State Route 235.
This includes I-75 in Ohio between mile markers 106 and 118.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
west central Ohio.
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 4057 8373 4054 8388 4054 8399 4051 8399
4048 8412 4048 8418 4066 8420 4066 8411
4064 8411 4065 8388 4082 8388 4082 8359
TIME...MOT...LOC 2218Z 234DEG 30KT 4058 8414
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
HatzosThe Cincinnati radar (KILN), 100 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:17 UTC.
20 thunderstorm wind, 2 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A large tree branch fell onto a large propane tank, causing a propane leak.
Numerous trees and power lines were downed in the southwest corner of Darke County, south of U.S. Route 36.
A metal roof sustained damage from strong winds.
A tree was downed onto South Greenlee Road.
Several trees were downed at Ziegler and Versailles Roads.
A large tree was downed onto Brunson Lane.
Several branches, at least two feet in diameter, were downed.
Several trees were downed.
A large healthy tree was downed.
A large tree had its top snapped off.
A tree was downed on Upper Bellbrook Road.
A tree was downed on U.S. Route 68.
A tree was downed on Galloway Street.
A tree was downed across South Charleston Road south of Paullin Road. Video evidence from area residents indicated a gustnado crossed west to east across South Charleston Road.
Approximately 20 trees were downed across the city of Delaware, blocking multiple streets.
Several power lines were downed between Jamestown and Shawnee Hills.
Several tree limbs, around two feet in diameter, were downed. Additionally, a fence was downed at this location.
Several large tree limbs were downed and a shed sustained minor damage.
U.S. Route 72 was covered by four to five inches of standing water.
High water was reported over a couple of roadways in West Liberty.
A tree was downed.
A tree was downed.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Ohio in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Ohio, 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: 1329171, 1329172, 1329173, 1329174, 1329175, 1329176, 1329178, 1329179, 1329180, 1329181, 1329183, 1329184, 1329185, 1329186, 1329187, 1329189, 1329190, 1329191, 1329193, 1329194, 1329195, 1329196.