Storms - A Daylight Report

Well, the daylight has come up in Indiana and there are some pretty amazing pictures of damage throughout the state. What adds to the amazement is that nobody was killed and injuries look to be minor.

I do want to mention that an 18 year old was hit by lightning in the Spice Run area on Kokomo's west side yesterday evening. I am unaware of his condition but wish him the very best.

Kokomo and Howard County seemed to dodge most of the heavy stuff. We had a 2-3 inches of rain in a very short period along with wind gusts 35 to 50 MPH. Severe reports of a lowered cloud base with rotation were reported but no tornadoes in Howard County. A funnel cloud was reported around 8:20 PM near Russiaville.

Tim Bath of the Kokomo Tribune got this photo around 580 W and Hwy 26. You can read the accompanying article in the Kokomo Tribune about the storms here.


Personally I was out at spotting at one half mile south of Hwy 22 on 975 West. Greg W. and myself were unable to visibly observe much at our location. It was rather calm for the most part until the heavy winds and rains came forcing us to drive back toward Kokomo. At that point we drove into a short burst of 1/2" hail. We ended up relocating to Western High School as the weather had passed.

The eastern Howard County spotters were following a lowered cloud base with some rotation. It spud up again and caused some damage in Grant County.

Channel 18 Meteorologist Mark Prangley has an account of events with photos and a video on his blog. Take a few minutes to give a look at it here.

I hope everyone realizes how lucky we are and take a few minutes to make sure their safety plan for severe weather would have worked if a tornado was spotted on the ground. Needless to say everyone's plan should include a weather radio. Go get one today if you don't have one already.

Next week already looks to be busy with the Storm Prediction Center showing Indiana with 3 days (Monday, Tuesday, Friday) being shown under risk for severe weather already.

It looks like we made it...

Some severe weather remains in southern Indiana but it looks to be all but over. We had some severe weather pass by and a couple of wall clouds with rotation were spotted but no funnels. A couple of tornado sightings in Carroll County but no injuries or significant damage reported.

Overall not much to report.

Tornado Watch

It does not include Howard County but is is very nearby.

Strong Storms Predicted

The severe threat continues across our area. The sun should initiate instability in the atmosphere today. Currently the most severe weather looks to be in the 8 pm to midnight area for Kokomo and Howard County.

Lift Index of -5+ and MLCAPE values approaching 2000 J/kg are highest during that time. Straight line winds with hail of 1/2"+ are likely. Embedded tornadoes are are possible. (Don't forget to look for the inflow notch you arm chair radar watchers.) The system looks linear (squall line) but isolated supercells are also a real possibility. More later...

Moderate Risk Expanded

The moderate risk area has expanded covering most of Indiana with the exceptions of a few areas along the Ohio River. A large tornado watch box has been issued already this morning along the outflow boundary in Illinois. This includes Chicago.

Moderate/Slight Risk for Severe Weather

A moderate/slight risk is in effect for our area today. Yesterday's system which produced 55 tornado reports across KS, IA and NE will be over IL and IN today. Locally severe weather should begin after 4 PM and be going strong after 6 PM through much of the overnight. Strong damaging winds are the primary thread with cloud to ground lightning.

Extra caution should be exercised for those with outside activities today and particularly this evening. More updates as the day progresses...

Day 2 Moderate Risk Upgrade

Today has been upgraded to high risk to our east and for us we have been upgraded to a moderate risk for tomorrow. Tomorrow will be an important day to be aware of the weather situation.

Severe Weather Threat

The SPC and forecast models are agreement that Indiana along with portions of the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes areas could see severe weather on Friday with some lingering threat on Saturday. Severe weather parameters have cape values 1000 to 2000 J/kg and a lifted indexes ranging from -3.5 to -6. With dew points 60+ and temperatures 70+, everything is looking like Kokomo will get in on this action.

Severe Weather Possible Friday into Saturday

Severe weather looks very possible across much of Indiana starting Friday afternoon into early Saturday morning. The forecast models show widespread thunderstorms possible all through overnight.

Clearly 2008 is on pace to set number record for tornadoes and deaths. While it has been a quiet severe weather season, we did have 3 deaths already in Indiana this year back in January. You should be aware of the weather on Friday and don't get caught by surprise.

Memorial Ends Without a Bang...

It looks like the severe weather never even got a start in Indiana today. The latest update from the SPC has scaled way back the slight risk area. Indiana is far east of the areas they mention.

Some light rain and cooler temperatures will be in effect for tomorrow.