Tornadoes · United States · Ohio · 2024

EF2 tornado, Pitchin to West Jefferson, Ohio, February 28, 2024

Name: EF2 tornado, Pitchin to West Jefferson, Ohio, February 28, 2024
Start: 2024-02-28T09:52:00.000Z
End: 2024-02-28T10:15:00.000Z
Location: Pitchin to West Jefferson, Ohio

From Pitchin to West Jefferson, this EF2 tornado ran 21.1 miles across Clark and Madison counties on February 28, 2024, touching down at 4:52 AM EST and reaching 500 yards wide. It killed nobody and injured 3, and did $2.0 million of property damage.

The rating scale

Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.

EF065 to 85 mph
Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.
EF186 to 110 mph
Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.
EF2111 to 135 mphthis tornado
Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.
EF3136 to 165 mph
Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.
EF4166 to 200 mph
Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.
EF5over 200 mph
Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.
Unrated
The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

The record

Rating: EF2
Date: February 28, 2024
Touchdown: 4:52 AM EST (09:52 UTC)
Lifted: 5:15 AM EST (10:15 UTC)
On the ground: 23 minutes
Path length: 21.1 miles (34.0 km)
Path width: 500 yards (457 m)
Deaths: 0
Injuries: 3
Property damage: $2.0 million
Counties: Clark and Madison counties
Touchdown point: 39.857, -83.795
Lift-off point: 39.944, -83.394
Record number: 2402280352-01

The damage survey

145 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS ILN, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF2. The highest wind the damage implies is 130 mph.

Photo credit: Ohio State Highway Patrol
Estimated wind speed lowered due to lack of similar damage in the surrounding area.
photo credit: Ohio State Highway Patrol
Lower estimated wind speed provided due to lack of tree damage around the house. Photo credit: Ohio State Highway Patrol

Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.

What the Weather Service recorded

Showers and thunderstorms developed during the early morning hours ahead of a cold front moving through the Ohio Valley.

The first known damage from this tornado was in a stand of trees southwest of Selma Pike. Additional tree damage was found on Selma Pike south of Shawnee High School, where several trees were snapped. The tornado then strengthened and broadened as it moved east-northeast, eventually reaching EF2 intensity as it crossed Mitchell Road, Ridge Rd, and Highway 41, where three homes had complete roof loss. Intermittent EF1 and EF2 damage, consisting of around a dozen barns and outbuildings destroyed and more homes with complete roof loss, then continued for around 10 miles before the tornado entered Madison County about 1.5 miles east of Brighton at 0506EST. The tornado ended in Madison County at 0515EST, 4 miles north northeast of London.

The tornado first touched down in Clark County at 0452EST, 5 miles south-southeast of Springfield. It moved east-northeast and crossed into Madison County at 0506EST, 2.3 miles west-southwest of Summerford. ||The tornado downed numerous trees and caused significant damage to several structures as it moved through western Madison County. Notable damage occurred at the Madison County Airport where one of the metal hangars was completely collapsed. There was also significant damage to several other hangars and planes at the airport. Based on the damage, winds were estimated to be 130 mph at this location. The tornado continued east from here, damaging other dwellings and trees. One home in particular had its second story completely removed. The tornado then lifted in an open field, 1 mile north-northeast of Lafayette.

The tornado developed near State Route 665, east of London, and moved to the east-northeast. The tornado initially caused minor tree and structural damage, including a tipped over trailer. It then strengthened as it crossed Spring Valley Road and then across Glade Run Road, where it peaked in intensity as it crossed Wilson Road. At this location, a home lost part of its roof and tree damage was considerable, with snapped|off trunks. Damage in this area was consistent with wind speeds of around 110 mph.||The tornado continued across West Jefferson-Klousville Road and then onward to Olmstead Road. Additional damage meeting the EF1 category was found along Roberts Road, just southeast of Plain City Georgesville Road. The tornado then entered Franklin County at 0525EST, about 1.5 miles east-southeast of West Jefferson. It continued east-northeast for about 3 more miles before ending just before reaching Alton Hall Elementary School at 0528EST.

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

The warnings

19 minutes of warning. NWS ILN issued a tornado warning for this county at 09:33 UTC, 19 minutes before the tornado touched down, in force until 10:00 UTC.

The county was under a tornado watch, issued at 03:30 UTC and running to 11:00 UTC.

Issued (UTC)	Expired	Product	Office
03:30 UTC	11:00 UTC	Tornado Watch	ILN
09:32 UTC	10:02 UTC	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILN
09:33 UTC	10:00 UTC	Tornado Warning	ILN
09:54 UTC	10:08 UTC	Tornado Warning	ILN

Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.

The forecast that day

The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a General Thunderstorms Risk. The outlook in force was issued at 05:07 UTC.

SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the tornado touched down, 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 tornado touched down at Feb 28, 3:25 AM EST, 1 hour 27 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 28, 3:25 AM EST, 1 hour 27 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
325 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
Low pressure and a strong cold front will move east across the
Great Lakes and Ohio Valley today, bringing showers,
thunderstorms, and windy conditions. High pressure will build
quickly east into the Ohio Valley tonight, resulting in clearing
skies, drier air, and much colder temperatures. The high will
persist over the region into Thursday with below normal
temperatures expected.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
Potent cold front trailing Michigan low pressure is approaching
the ILN area. It is still likely that severe weather will
develop this morning given the strong wind fields and ample
instability ahead of the front. Convection is filling in along
the front, and tornado watch 27 remains in effect through 6am.
Damaging straight line winds, large hail, isolated tornadoes and
torrential downpours leading to flooding all remain possible. A
few tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued
to our west, and as convection reaches our western counties, we
are beginning to issue some warnings in our area as well.

Since precip to the west is expanding, categorical pops still
seem appropriate for this morning. Some locations may measure
over an inch of rainfall, even with this fast moving system.
Dry weather will move in this afternoon as subsidence arrives on
a west wind behind the cold front. Those synoptic scale winds
are likely to gust over 30 knots. Holding off on a wind advisory
for now since it appears strongest gusts will stay north of the
area. Temperatures are forecast to plummet from the 50s and 60s
into the 30s this afternoon as the colder air rushes in.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 PM THURSDAY/...
Skies will be mostly clear tonight and sunny on Thursday thanks
to 1035mb high pressure tracking across Kentucky. As winds
subside under 20 knots, temperatures will fall a few degrees below
normal, with lows in the 20s tonight followed by highs in the
40s on Thursday.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
A weakening shortwave will be moving through the larger flow,
opening up as it nears the Ohio Valley region at the start of the
extended period. This translates to a surface wave bringing a shot
of rain (possibly some wet snow mixed in at onset) to the area
during the day on Friday. After this system scoots off to the east,
the area dries out for the remainder of the weekend with weak
ridging allowing for a warming trend. By Sunday, high temperatures
are forecast to be in the upper 60s/ low 70s.

The next notable disturbance looks to encroach into the area by the
start of the following working week. A closed low off to our west
will move northeast of our area, dragging a cold front through the
region. However, before that happens, we should get warm sectored
briefly and temperatures Monday rise into the 70s. Rounds of rain
arrive sometime on Monday prior to the cold front moving through.
After this, we'll feel a notable drop in temperatures as cold air is
ushered in behind the system.

Looking out into the extended, it appears that we'll stay active
with chances for precipitation continuing into mid week.

&&

.AVIATION /08Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Aviation is to be affected by strong thunderstorms and winds
associated with a potent cold front. Thunderstorms coverage is
expected to increase rapidly overnight as the front approaches.
Should see +TSRA at all sites by 12z. Ceilings and visibilities
will fall to MVFR as the boundary layer moistens. Winds on the
synoptic scale will gust over 30 knots at most sites. Wind
direction will shift to west with frontal passage. Improvement
to VFR is forecast as drier air moves in later in the forecast.

OUTLOOK...MVFR conditions are possible again Friday into
Saturday.

&&

.ILN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OH...None.
KY...None.
IN...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...Coniglio
NEAR TERM...Coniglio
SHORT TERM...Coniglio
LONG TERM...CA
AVIATION...Coniglio

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 27, 4:03 PM EST, 12 hours 49 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
403 PM EST Tue Feb 27 2024

OHZ026-034-035-042>046-051>056-064-065-074-282115-
Hardin-Mercer-Auglaize-Darke-Shelby-Logan-Union-Delaware-Miami-
Champaign-Clark-Madison-Franklin-Licking-Pickaway-Fairfield-Hocking-
403 PM EST Tue Feb 27 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Ohio and west central
Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Showers and thunderstorms will develop mainly later this evening and
continue into the overnight. A few severe storms will be possible
late this evening through tonight. The main severe threat will be
damaging wind and isolated large hail. However, a tornado or two will
also be possible.

Outside of storms, it will be breezy to windy with wind gusts up to
40 mph possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Winds may gust up to 40 mph on Wednesday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed tonight.

INZ050-058-059-066-073>075-080-KYZ089>100-OHZ060>063-070>073-077>082-
088-282115-
Wayne-Fayette-Union-Franklin-Ripley-Dearborn-Ohio-Switzerland-
Carroll-Gallatin-Boone-Kenton-Campbell-Owen-Grant-Pendleton-Bracken-
Robertson-Mason-Lewis-Preble-Montgomery-Greene-Butler-Warren-Clinton-
Ross-Hamilton-Clermont-Brown-Highland-Adams-Pike-Scioto-
403 PM EST Tue Feb 27 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Indiana,
southeast Indiana, northeast Kentucky, northern Kentucky, central
Ohio, south central Ohio, southwest Ohio and west central Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Showers and thunderstorms will develop mainly later this evening and
continue into the overnight. Some of the storms will likely be severe.
The main severe threat will be damaging wind and large hail, though a
few tornadoes are possible and a strong tornado cannot be ruled out.
In addition, localized flash flooding is possible for any area seeing
multiple rounds of storms.

Outside of storms, it will be breezy to windy with wind gusts up to
40 mph possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Winds may gust up to 40 mph on Wednesday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed tonight.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Feb 28, 2:47 AM EST, 2 hours 5 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
247 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

INZ058-059-066-OHZ060-070-280815-
Fayette IN-Union IN-Franklin IN-Butler OH-Preble OH-
247 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN
FRANKLIN COUNTY...UNION AND SOUTHEASTERN FAYETTE COUNTIES
...SOUTHWESTERN PREBLE COUNTY AND NORTHWESTERN BUTLER COUNTIES
THROUGH 300 AM EST...

At 247 AM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located near Brookville,
moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny 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...
Oxford, Brookville, Liberty, West College Corner, Salem, Reily,
Blooming Grove, Columbia, Metamora, College Corner, Mount Carmel,
Dunlapsville, Whitewater State Park, Goodwins Corner, Mounds State
Recreation Area, Cottage Grove, Morning Sun, Alquina,
Charlottesville, and Fairhaven.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 AM EST for southeastern
and east central Indiana...and southwestern and 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 3938 8510 3958 8521 3970 8480 3964 8471
      3943 8469
TIME...MOT...LOC 0747Z 246DEG 49KT 3948 8504

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Hatzos

Special weather statement, Feb 28, 3:45 AM EST, 1 hour 7 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
345 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

OHZ042-060-280915-
Darke OH-Preble OH-
345 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

...A CLUSTER OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHERN
PREBLE...SOUTHERN DARKE AND NORTHWESTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTIES THROUGH
415 AM EST...

At 345 AM EST, a cluster of strong thunderstorms were located near
New Paris, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph, pea size hail, 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. Hail may cause minor damage to
         vegetation. Lightning can cause serious injury or death.
         Visibility will be poor and hydroplaning is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Greenville, Arcanum, Bradford, New Paris, New Madison, Webster, Wayne
Lakes, Gettysburg, Eldorado, Verona, West Manchester, Pitsburg,
Hollansburg, Gordon, Palestine, Ithaca, Castine, Union Corners,
Sharpeye, and Abbottsville.

This includes I-70 in Ohio between mile markers 1 and 6.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

Residents in these areas should remain alert. If these storms becomes
stronger, then a warning may be needed.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 AM EST 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 4011 8480 4022 8444 3992 8443 3992 8448
      3990 8449 3980 8481
TIME...MOT...LOC 0845Z 239DEG 49KT 3991 8480

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

KC

Special weather statement, Feb 28, 3:58 AM EST, 54 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
358 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

INZ059-OHZ060-061-280930-
Union IN-Montgomery OH-Preble OH-
358 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF SOUTHEASTERN WAYNE
AND CENTRAL UNION COUNTIES IN EAST CENTRAL INDIANA...PREBLE...
SOUTHEASTERN DARKE...WESTERN MONTGOMERY AND SOUTHWESTERN MIAMI
COUNTIES IN WEST CENTRAL OHIO THROUGH 430 AM EST...

At 357 AM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located near Eaton, moving
northeast at 45 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...
Dayton, Trotwood, Vandalia, Englewood, Eaton, Moraine, West
Carrollton, Liberty, Camden, Lewisburg, West Alexandria, Gratis, West
College Corner, Clayton, Union, Salem, Brookville, New Lebanon,
Farmersville, and Shiloh.

This includes the following Interstates...
 I-70 in Ohio between mile markers 4 and 33.
 I-75 in Ohio between mile markers 49 and 50, and between mile
markers 63 and 65.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 AM EST for east central
Indiana...and 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 3968 8495 3972 8482 3981 8481 3992 8450
      3992 8418 3969 8422 3957 8481 3958 8503
TIME...MOT...LOC 0857Z 245DEG 38KT 3973 8469

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Hatzos

Special weather statement, Feb 28, 4:11 AM EST, 41 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
411 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

INZ059-066-OHZ060-070-280945-
Union IN-Franklin IN-Butler OH-Preble OH-
411 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

...A CLUSTER OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF FRANKLIN
COUNTY IN SOUTHEASTERN INDIANA...SOUTHERN UNION AND SOUTHEASTERN
FAYETTE COUNTIES IN EAST CENTRAL INDIANA...SOUTHWESTERN PREBLE COUNTY
IN WEST CENTRAL OHIO AND NORTHWESTERN BUTLER COUNTIES IN SOUTHWESTERN
OHIO THROUGH 445 AM EST...

At 410 AM EST, a cluster of strong thunderstorms were located near
Brookville, moving east at 70 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Oxford, Batesville, Brookville, Liberty, Camden, West College Corner,
Oldenburg, Darrtown, Lake Santee, Salem, Reily, Blooming Grove,
Metamora, Laurel, Scipio, College Corner, Somerville, Cedar Grove,
Mount Carmel, and Dunlapsville.

This includes I-74 in Indiana between mile markers 145 and 148.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Residents in these areas should remain alert. If these storms becomes
stronger, then a warning may be needed.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 AM EST for southeastern
and east central Indiana...and southwestern and 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 3953 8519 3953 8504 3959 8504 3966 8488
      3970 8459 3938 8471 3930 8529 3948 8530
TIME...MOT...LOC 0910Z 255DEG 59KT 3948 8507

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

KC

Special weather statement, Feb 28, 4:13 AM EST, 39 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
413 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

OHZ051>053-280945-
Champaign OH-Clark OH-Miami OH-
413 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF SOUTHEASTERN
SHELBY...CHAMPAIGN...SOUTHEASTERN LOGAN...SOUTHEASTERN DARKE...
NORTHWESTERN CLARK AND NORTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTIES IN WEST
CENTRAL OHIO...SOUTHWESTERN UNION COUNTY IN CENTRAL OHIO AND MIAMI
COUNTIES IN WEST CENTRAL OHIO THROUGH 445 AM EST...

At 413 AM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located near Troy, moving
east at 70 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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...
Springfield, Troy, Piqua, Urbana, Tipp City, New Carlisle, West
Milton, Northridge, Covington, St. Paris, North Lewisburg, Pleasant
Hill, Brown, Union, Christiansburg, North Hampton, Laura, Fletcher,
Tremont City, and Donnelsville.

This includes I-75 in Ohio between mile markers 66 and 83.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

Residents in these areas should remain alert. If this storm becomes
stronger, then a warning may be needed.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 AM EST 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 4023 8351 3992 8374 3992 8443 4012 8443
      4019 8413 4018 8402 4022 8402 4025 8388
TIME...MOT...LOC 0913Z 255DEG 59KT 4000 8425

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

KC

Special weather statement, Feb 28, 4:30 AM EST, 22 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
430 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

OHZ060-061-070-071-281015-
Montgomery OH-Warren OH-Butler OH-Preble OH-
430 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF SOUTHEASTERN
PREBLE...CENTRAL BUTLER...NORTHWESTERN WARREN AND SOUTHERN MONTGOMERY
COUNTIES THROUGH 515 AM EST...

At 429 AM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located near Oxford, moving
east at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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...
Hamilton, Kettering, Middletown, Miamisburg, Lebanon, Springboro,
Monroe, Trenton, Franklin, Carlisle, South Middletown, West
Carrollton, Seven Mile, Williamsdale, Hunter, Darrtown, Germantown,
New Miami, Millville, and Somerville.

This includes I-75 in Ohio between mile markers 28 and 45.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

Residents in these areas should remain alert. If this storm becomes
stronger, then a warning may be needed.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 AM EST for southwestern
and 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 3935 8480 3956 8465 3961 8463 3967 8411
      3944 8418
TIME...MOT...LOC 0929Z 257DEG 47KT 3946 8477

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

KC

The air that afternoon

The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.

Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), 00:00Z

9.9 hours before the tornado, 55 km from the path. February 28, 2024.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 19 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -196 J/kg
Surface CAPE: 98 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 762 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 57 kt
0-1 km bulk shear: 7 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 29 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 89 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0
0-3 km lapse rate: 5.3 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), 12:00Z

2.1 hours after it, 55 km from the path. February 28, 2024.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.

Hodograph

Mixed-layer CAPE: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -101110 J/kg
Surface CAPE: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 871 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 75 kt
0-1 km bulk shear: 12 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 46 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 141 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0
0-3 km lapse rate: 5.0 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The radar

The Cincinnati radar (KILN), 57 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 09:49 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

What was reported nearby

Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.

Time (UTC)	Report	Where	County	Remark
09:20 UTC	TSTM WND GST 47	3 Wnw Bellefontaine	Logan, OH
09:25 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	2 Ene Drexel	Montgomery, OH	Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 2 ENE Drexel. Wires down on Elmer Street. Time estimated from RADAR.
09:25 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	2 Ene Drexel	Montgomery, OH	Wires down on Green Street. Time estimated from RADAR.
09:28 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	1 Se Downtown Dayton	Montgomery, OH	Wires down on Green Street. Time estimated from RADAR.
09:30 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	1 E Downtown Dayton	Montgomery, OH	Wires down on Drummer Avenue. Time estimated from RADAR.
09:35 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	1 Nw Huber Heights	Montgomery, OH	Large tree fell on a house. Also, another tree reported on a car nearby. Time estimated from radar.
09:37 UTC	TORNADO	1 Se Riverside	Montgomery, OH	NWS storm survey confirms an EF1 tornado developed near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and dissipated near Wright State University. Estimated max wind speed was around 100 MPH with damage to trees, structures, homes, an
09:37 UTC	TORNADO	1 S Riverside	Montgomery, OH	Glass blown out at Airway Shopping Center. Tornado likely. TDS observed on KILN radar. Time estimated from radar.
09:37 UTC	TORNADO	1 Ssw Riverside	Montgomery, OH	3 trees reported down. A pine reported snapped near the top. Tornado likely. TDS observed on KILN radar. Time estimated from radar.
09:39 UTC	TSTM WND GST 53	2 W Fairborn	Greene, OH
09:48 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	4 Sw Yellow Springs	Greene, OH	Several trees downed near the south end of W Enon Road.
09:49 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	3 Sw Yellow Springs	Greene, OH	Several trees downed along Snively Road east of Sutton Road.
09:49 UTC	TSTM WND GST 46	3 N Springboro	Montgomery, OH
09:49 UTC	TORNADO	5 E Enon	Clark, OH	Large tree down. Photo verified. Time estimated from RADAR.
09:50 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	Yellow Springs	Greene, OH	Two power poles were blown over, several trees were uprooted and a couple homes south of town suffered minor roof damage. Estimated wind speed around 75 mph.
09:51 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	2 N Clifton	Clark, OH	Several trees downed along Jackson Road, Springfield Jamestown Road, and Mosier Road.
09:52 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	3 Nne Clifton	Clark, OH	Several trees downed and minor damage to a home at a property on Old Clifton Road.
09:52 UTC	TORNADO	4 Sse Springfield	Clark, OH	A tornado developed south of Springfield, Ohio, intensifying to EF2 strength as it progressed northeast out of Clark County, Ohio and into Madison County, Ohio. There were numerous reports of tree damage, barn damage, an
09:54 UTC	TORNADO	4 Se Springfield	Clark, OH	Corrects previous tornado report from 4 SE Springfield. Moderate damage, heavy debris reported on Mitchell Rd. Tornado likely. TDS was observed on KILN radar. Time estimated from radar.
09:54 UTC	TORNADO	4 Se Springfield	Clark, OH	Moderate damage, heavy debris reported on Mitchell Rd. Tornado likely. TDS was observed on KILN radar.
09:55 UTC	HAIL 2	1 Wnw Springfield	Clark, OH
09:56 UTC	TSTM WND GST 60	3 Nnw Clifton	Clark, OH	AWOS station KSGH Springfield-Beckley Airport.
09:56 UTC	TORNADO	5 Ese Springfield	Clark, OH	Multiple houses damaged. Tornado likely. TDS observed on KILN radar. Time estimated from radar.
09:59 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	3 W South Vienna	Clark, OH	12 inch diameter tree reported down near New Love Rd and I-70. Time estimated from radar.
10:07 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	2 S Choctaw Lake	Madison, OH	Extensive damage to homes. Possible tornado. Time estimated from RADAR.
10:11 UTC	TSTM WND GST 69	2 Sse Choctaw Lake	Madison, OH	KUFY AWOS.
10:14 UTC	TORNADO	2 E London	Madison, OH	NWS storm survey confirms an EF1 tornado developed east of London and dissipated southwest of West Jefferson. Maximum estimated winds of 110 mph, with damage to roofs, barns, and trees.
10:20 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	2 S Hilliard	Franklin, OH	Possible tornado. Trees and wires reported down, damage to homes on Hilliard-Rome Rd. Time estimated from radar.
10:20 UTC	TORNADO	3 Ssw Jefferson	Madison, OH	Extensive damage to homes. Tornado likely - TDS observed on KILN RADAR. Time estimated from RADAR.
10:26 UTC	TORNADO	2 Ssw Hilliard	Franklin, OH	NWS storm survey confirms an EF1 tornado developed west of Hilliard and dissipated on the west side I-270. Maximum estimated winds of 110 mph, with damage to roofs and trees.
10:28 UTC	TORNADO 0	4 Nw Harrisburg	Franklin, OH	EF0 tornado confirmed west of Darbydale in Franklin County, Ohio. Maximum winds of 70 MPH.
10:29 UTC	TORNADO 0	2 Wsw Harrisburg	Pickaway, OH	EF0 tornado confirmed near Harrisburg in Pickaway County, Ohio. Maximum winds of 70 MPH.
10:31 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	3 Wsw Upper Arlington	Franklin, OH	Possible tornado. Pine tree snapped at its base.
10:31 UTC	HAIL 1.5	1 Nne Grove City	Franklin, OH
10:31 UTC	HAIL 1.5	1 Wnw Grove City	Franklin, OH
10:34 UTC	TSTM WND GST 53	3 W Riverlea	Franklin, OH	KOSU ASOS.
10:36 UTC	TSTM WND GST 44	2 Ese Wilmington	Clinton, OH
10:39 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	2 Ene Commercial Point	Pickaway, OH	Power poles downed on State Route 104.
10:40 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	2 Sw Lockbourne	Pickaway, OH	Semi trailer flipped over on US-23 near Picway Road.
10:42 UTC	HAIL 1	1 Nne Gahanna	Franklin, OH

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.

This ground now

The live radar over the track Every 2024 tornado in Ohio Every tornado in Ohio since 1950 Warnings in force in Ohio now The forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of February 28, 2024

10 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

Date	Time	Rating	Where	Path (mi)	Width (yd)	Damage
February 28	1:12 AM EST	EF2	Genesee, MI	5.7	450	$1.0 million
February 28	4:37 AM EST	EF1	Montgomery, OH	2.4	200	$510,000
February 28	5:14 AM EST	EF1	Madison, OH	12.3	250	$300,000
February 28	5:26 AM EST	EF1	Franklin, OH	3.8	200	$100,000
February 28	5:28 AM EST	EF0	Franklin, OH	0.5	60	$25,000
February 28	5:29 AM EST	EF0	Pickaway, OH	2.2	80	$250,000
February 28	5:48 AM EST	EF0	Franklin, OH	5.7	75	$60,000
February 28	5:49 AM EST	EF2	Franklin, OH	14.0	300	$500,000
February 28	7:22 AM EST	EF2	Monroe, OH	4.0	200	$500,000
February 28	5:19 PM EST	EF0	Broome, NY	0.6	150	$30,000

What this means

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.

Sources

NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.