Tornadoes and Severe Weather of March 31, 2023

Tornadoes:

Tornado - Sullivan Sullivan County Date 03/31/2023 Time (Local) 10:21 PM EDT EF Rating EF-3 Est. Peak Winds 155 MPH Path Length 13.21 miles (in Indiana) Max Width 660 yards (3/8 mile) Injuries/Deaths 3 fatalities/8 injuries Summary: The survey team determined the tornado crossed the Wabash River and entered Sullivan County 3 ENE Merom. Near Merom, the tornado severely damaged 3 homes and destroyed a modular home which was thrown at least 200 yards to destruction. Two occupants of this home were killed. Furthermore, a large trailer and several cars were thrown tens of yards from their resting location. Many trees were sheared approximately 20 to 30 feet off the ground. The tornado continued across the southern parts of the City of Sullivan. Tens of homes and structures were severely damaged or destroyed. The tornado continued to locations southeast of Sullivan, again destroying at least 3 homes, including one modular home which was thrown at least 150 yards. One occupant of this home was killed, while the other was injured. Again, many trees were sheared 20 to 30 feet off the ground. Farther east the tornado began to weaken and continued into a wooded area, damaging numerous trees before lifting off the ground. Much damage in the area reached the EF2 scale level (111-135 mph) with several locations where winds reached the EF3 scale level (136- 165 mph). Track Map

Radar 4 panel at 10:29 PM  (Clockwise from upper left: Radar, Base Velocity, Storm Relative Velocity, Correlation Coefficient)

Tornado - Near Bargersville Johnson County Date 03/31/2023 Time (Local) 11:27 PM EDT EF Rating EF-0 Est. Peak Winds 85 mph Path Length 1.93 miles Max Width 25 yards Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: Sporadic tree damage was noted in the town of Providence, IN which were mainly straight line winds. The tornado began to form to the N/NE of Providence where slightly more intense tree damage was noted. The tornado continued to move E/NE and crossed State Road 135 between W Rd 100 N and W Rd 200 N. Multiple power lines were damaged and laying across 135. Metal roofing of a barn just east of 135 was peeled back suggesting winds upwards of 85 mph. The tornado continued moving E/NE towards IN-144 but lifted just before reaching IN-144. Sporadic tree damage was noted to the south of IN-144. Track Map

Radar and Storm Relative Velocity at 11:27 PM EDT

Tornado - Near Whiteland Johnson County Date 03/31/2023 Time (Local) 11:33 PM EDT EF Rating EF-3 Est. Peak Winds 140 mph Path Length 3.54 miles Max Width 316 yards Injuries/Deaths 0/0 Summary: The storm continued moving northeast and a tornado redeveloped in an open field just to the west of the Park Forest neighborhood. The tornado moved through the neighborhood where EF-0 to EF-1 damage was noted initially. The tornado intensified as it moved through the neighborhood and produced low-end EF2 damage. A cell tower near Whiteland Sewer Department just to the NE of the neighborhood sustained damage as the tornado continued moving northeast towards US Hwy 31. Once the tornado crossed Hwy 31 it moved through a neighborhood near Briar hill Dr. High end EF-1 to mid range EF-2 damage occurred from Pineadale Dr to Forum st. The tornado continued to strengthen as it moved northeast, producing mid range EF-2 damage near Forum Dr. Multiple homes sustained major roof damage. A few homes had most exterior walls collapse and one poorly constructed home had only one wall left standing. High end EF-2 damage was observed as it crossed the railroad track and hit a neighborhood near Paris Ln and E Pearl St. Numerous homes sustained roof damage. A poorly constructed home along E Pearl St was completely destroyed with only a concrete slab left. This home was very poorly anchored and could explain the compete removal of the home. The tornado produced damage to a home along Whiteland Rd before crossing an open field. It maintained intensity before hitting a few more homes along Graham Rd. Many trees were uprooted or snapped with significant roof damage and a collapsed garage. A warehouse further northeast along Graham Dr sustained preliminary low end EF-3 damage. Portions of the warehouse were completely gone and blown onto I-65. The tornado quickly lifted just east of I-65. Track Map

Radar/Storm Relative Velocity at 11:34 PM EDT

Tornado - Near Colfax Montgomery, Boone, and Clinton Counties Date 03/31/2023 Time (Local) 10:43 PM EDT EF Rating EF-2 Est. Peak Winds 120 mph Path Length 10.55 Miles Max Width 100 Yards Injuries/Deaths 0 Summary: Tornado began in extreme Northeast Montgomery County, southwest of Colfax. Mainly tree damage and a couple barn structures damaged, southwest of Colfax. Tornado then impacted a large homestead with barn and toppled a large radio tower northeast of Colfax. The tornado then moved through portions of rural southwestern Clinton county causing damage to several farmsteads. A few barns between US52 and I65 were completely destroyed. The tornado only caused very minor damage for a short period of time before doing additional significant damage southwest of Frankfort.    Track Map

Radar 4 panel at 10:48 PM  (Clockwise from upper left: Radar, Base Velocity, Storm Relative Velocity, Correlation Coefficient)

Tornado - Northwest Boone Co. Montgomery and Boone Counties Date 03/31/2023 Time (Local) 10:43 PM EDT EF Rating EF-0 Est. Peak Winds 85 mph Path Length 1.77 Miles Max Width 50 Yards Injuries/Deaths 0 Summary: Weaker secondary tornado track. Partial destruction of barn on Montgomery/Boone County line just inside Montgomery County. Debris field thrown 1/4 mile. Additional tree damage and older barn shifted from foundation.    Track Map

Radar 2 panel at 10:43 PM  (Left: Radar and Right: Storm Relative Velocity)

Tornado - Near Russiaville Howard County Date 03/31/2023 Time (Local) 11:11 PM EDT EF Rating EF-0 Est. Peak Winds 80 mph Path Length 0.86 Miles Max Width 10 Yards Injuries/Deaths 0 Summary:  Tornado touched down in a field with a few trees. The tornado then impacted a home causing tree and barn damage. One tree top was pulled back towards the home to the southwest. The tornado then quickly lifted in a fam field nearby.    Track Map

Radar/Storm Relative Velocity at 11:11 PM EDT

Tornado - Near Russiaville Howard County Date 03/31/2023 Time (Local) 11:15 PM EDT EF Rating EF-0 Est. Peak Winds 80 mph Path Length 0.14 Miles Max Width 10 Yards Injuries/Deaths 0 Summary: Damage to an out building west of the first damage a homestead. Aforementioned homestead had shingle damage and a playground set thrown northeastward. Trees near the playground in the backyard fell towards the east-southeast. Further damage occurred east of 350W to an attached garage along with a few small sheds. At this site, a car was moved/turned 45 degrees, a large piece of plywood was stuck between remaining tree branches, and wooden splinters were observed driven into siding.    Track Map

Radar/Storm Relative Velocity at 11:15 PM EDT

Tornado - Near Greentown Howard County Date 03/31/2023 Time (Local) 11:20 PM EDT EF Rating EF-1 Est. Peak Winds 110 mph Path Length 6.41 Miles Max Width 25 Yards Injuries/Deaths 1 Injury Summary: The tornado began in a rural field south of a homestead with two barns, home and mobile home. One small barn was completely destroyed along with the mobile home which caused a serious injury. The home and larger barn had lesser damage. This tornado continued to do tree, barn and home damage to farmsteads to the northeast. The tornado continued into a larger neighborhood near County Road 100S, where it mainly did roof and tree damage to tree rows.  Track Map

Radar/Storm Relative Velocity at 11:20 PM EDT

Tornado - Near Martinsville Morgan County Date 03/31/2023 Time (Local) 11:21 PM EDT EF Rating EF-2 Est. Peak Winds 130 MPH Path Length 8.6 Miles Max Width 200 Yards Injuries/Deaths 0 Summary:  Subdivision near Highway 37 had numerous homes with considerable roof damage, and an empty grain been was lofted and displaced. Top of grain bin was torn off. Heading northeast there was sporadic tree damage. Next structural damage was observed along Rolling Hills Drive. A pontoon boat was lofted across the lake. This pontoon boat was lofted over another house reaching about 1/4 mile in distance from original location to resting point.    Track Map

Radar/Storm Relative Velocity at 11:21 PM EDT

Tornado - Near McCormick's Creek  Owen and Monroe Counties Date 03/31/2023 Time (Local) 11:01 PM EDT EF Rating EF-3 Est. Peak Winds 153 MPH Path Length 4.01 miles Max Width 400 Yards Injuries/Deaths 2 Injuries, 2 Fatalities Summary: The tornado began in McCormick's Creek State Park, and then continued northeast into extreme NE Owen and NW Monroe Counties. While here, many hard wood trees were snapped and some debarking was observed. In this area, a few homes were badly damaged or destroyed. The tornado then continued producing additional roof and tree damage for another mile. Fatalities were in McCormick's Creek State Park. Max width was observed near County Line Road between Owen and Monroe Counties. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has a page showing damage from the tornado. Track Map

Radar 4 panel at 11:03 PM  (Clockwise from upper left: Radar, Base Velocity, Storm Relative Velocity, Correlation Coefficient)

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:

EF0 Weak 65-85 mph	EF1 Moderate 86-110 mph	EF2 Significant 111-135 mph	EF3 Severe 136-165 mph	EF4 Extreme 166-200 mph	EF5 Catastrophic 200+ mph

Radar

Radar loop of the event:

Storm Reports

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
636 AM EDT SAT APR 1 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0936 PM     HAIL             4 W RAINSVILLE          40.41N 87.39W
03/31/2023  E1.00 INCH       WARREN             IN   AMATEUR RADIO

1021 PM     TORNADO          2 ENE TURTLE CREEK RESE 39.07N 87.50W
03/31/2023                   SULLIVAN           IN   NWS STORM SURVEY

            *** 3 FATAL ***
            A LARGE, SIGNIFICANT TORNADO BEGAN WEST OF
            SULLIVAN, AND CONTINUED EAST FOR NEARLY 9
            MILES, HITTING THE SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF
            SULLIVAN. MAXIMUM WIDTH OF TORNADO WAS 660
            YARDS.



1030 PM     TSTM WND DMG     8 WNW BATTLE GROUND     40.54N 86.98W
03/31/2023                   TIPPECANOE         IN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            THUNDERSTORM WINDS FLATTENED 2 STRUCTURES TO
            BASEMENT. SEVERAL OTHER STRUCTURES WITH
            ROOFS BLOWN OFF NEAR JUNCTION OF BENTON
            TIPPECANOE AND WHITE COUNTIES. 1 INCH HAIL
            ALSO REPORTED NEAR US HIGHWAY 231. TIME
            ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

1024 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 WSW SULLIVAN          39.08N 87.46W
03/31/2023                   SULLIVAN           IN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            *** 2 FATAL, 1 INJ ***
            THUNDERSTORM WINDS CONSISTENT WITH PROBABLE
            TORNADO. 2 FATALITIES AND 1 INJURY AND 1
            PERSON MISSING. TIME ESTIMATED.

1041 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 SW COLFAX             40.18N 86.68W
03/31/2023                   CLINTON            IN   PUBLIC

            THUNDERSTORM WINDS SNAPPED TOPS OFF OF 20
            TREES AND BLEW ROOF OF OF BARN.

1045 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 W THORNTOWN           40.13N 86.63W
03/31/2023                   BOONE              IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            BARN DESTROYED. TIME ESTIMATED VIA RADAR.


1053 PM     TSTM WND GST     PATRICKSBURG            39.31N 86.96W
03/31/2023  E75 MPH          OWEN               IN   911 CALL CENTER

            PEA SIZED HAIL ALSO REPORTED.

1101 PM     TORNADO          1 ENE MCCORMICKS CREEK  39.29N 86.73W
03/31/2023                   OWEN               IN   NWS STORM SURVEY

            *** 2 FATAL, 2 INJ ***
            EF3 TORNADO BEGAN WITHIN MCCORMICKS CREEK
            STATE PARK AND CONTINUED ENE, ENDING NORTH
            OF STINESVILLE. TOTAL PATH LENGTH WAS 4
            MILES WITH A MAXIMUM WIDTH OF 400 YARDS.

1110 PM     TSTM WND GST     GOSPORT                 39.35N 86.67W
03/31/2023  M83 MPH          OWEN               IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SEVERE WINDS LASTED 8 MINUTES 1110PM TO
            1118PM. 3 TREES DOWN. DIME HAIL.

1112 PM     TORNADO          3 SW MARTINSVILLE       39.39N 86.46W
03/31/2023                   MORGAN             IN   NWS STORM SURVEY

            EF2 TORNADO BEGAN SW OF MARTINSVILLE AND
            CONTINUED ENE FOR 8.6 MILES. MAXIMUM WIDTH
            WAS 200 YARDS.

1123 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 ENE PARAGON           39.41N 86.50W
03/31/2023                   MORGAN             IN   AMATEUR RADIO

            WINDS DOWNED MULTIPLE TREES WITH
            CONSIDERABLE HOME DAMAGE BETWEEN
            MARTINSVILLE AND PARAGON. ALSO ESTIMATED 60
            MPH WINDS IN PARAGON.

1123 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 S PARAGON             39.35N 86.56W
03/31/2023                   MORGAN             IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            THUNDERSTORM WINDS DOWNED NUMEROUS LARGE
            TREES AND SNAPPED POWER POLES. TIME
            ESTIMATED.

1129 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MONROVIA                39.58N 86.48W
03/31/2023                   MORGAN             IN   NWS EMPLOYEE

            PRIVACY FENCE DESTROYED AND WINDOW BROKEN.

1035 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 N NEW MARKET          39.98N 86.92W
03/31/2023  M59 MPH          MONTGOMERY         IN   AWOS

            OBSERVED AT KCFJ AWOS.

1040 PM     HAIL             2 S DARLINGTON          40.08N 86.77W
03/31/2023  E1.00 INCH       MONTGOMERY         IN   PUBLIC



1134 PM     TSTM WND GST     1 SSE EAGLE CREEK RESER 39.83N 86.30W
03/31/2023  M59 MPH          MARION             IN   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KEYE INDIANAPOLIS (EAGLE
            CREEK).

1136 PM     TSTM WND GST     INDIANAPOLIS INT`L AIRP 39.72N 86.29W
03/31/2023  E67 MPH          MARION             IN   ASOS



1150 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 S ANDERSON            40.06N 85.69W
03/31/2023  E65 MPH          MADISON            IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            WINDS AT ONSET OF THUNDERSTORM. REPORTS OF
            NUMEROUS POWER POLES AND LINES DOWN ACROSS
            MADISON COUNTY. TIME ESTIMATED.

1155 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MORRISTOWN              39.67N 85.70W
03/31/2023                   SHELBY             IN   BROADCAST MEDIA

            THUNDERSTORM WINDS DOWNED GAS STATION
            OVERHANGING ROOF. TIME ESTIMATED.

1133 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 SSE WHITELAND         39.54N 86.08W
03/31/2023                   JOHNSON            IN   911 CALL CENTER

            THUNDERSTORM WINDS CONSISTENT WITH PROBABLE
            TORNADO DESTROYED MULTIPLE HOMES ON BOTH
            SIDES OF US HIGHWAY 31 WITH WAREHOUSE
            DAMAGE. TIME ESTIMATED.

1125 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 ENE RUSSIAVILLE       40.43N 86.20W
03/31/2023                   HOWARD             IN   AMATEUR RADIO

            THUNDERSTORM WINDS PARTIALLY COLLAPSED 2
            HOMES AND DOWNED TREES AT COUNTY ROADS 400
            WEST AND 300 SOUTH. BUILDING COLLAPSED AT
            750 WEST AND 5145 SOUTH. POSSIBLE FUNNEL
            CLOUD AT ROUTE 26 AND PARK ROAD.
            MISCELLANEOUS DEBRIS AT ALTO ROAD AND PARK
            ROAD.

1140 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 E AVON                39.76N 86.34W
03/31/2023  E65 MPH          HENDRICKS          IN   TRAINED SPOTTER



1205 AM     HAIL             ALBANY                  40.30N 85.23W
04/01/2023  E1.00 INCH       DELAWARE           IN   AMATEUR RADIO

Environment

A strong low pressure system and an upper trough brought showers and thunderstorms to central Indiana on the afternoon and evening of March 31, into the early morning hours of April 1. Strong winds not far off the surface were able to mix down and cause damaging winds within thunderstorms. The wind fields aloft also created enough shear that some storms were able to rotate and produce tornadoes. The strong wind fields also led to fast storm motions.
 

Figure 1: Surface Map/Radar for 11pm EDT March 31	Figure 2: 850mb-300mb mean wind at 11pm EDT March 31	Figure 3: Mixed Layer CAPE at 11pm EDT March 31st

Figure 4: 0-6km shear at 11pm EDT March 31st	Figure 5:  0-1km shear at 11pm EDT March 31st	Figure 6: Significant Tornado Parameter at 11pm EDT

Figure 7: Surface Vorticity and 0-1km CAPE at 11pm EDT

Service

The Storm Prediction Center indicated a severe threat for portions of central Indiana 6 days before the event, with subsequent outlooks increasing the threat leve.

Map of Warnings Issued by NWS Indianapolis

Summaries from other NWS Offices

• Northern Indiana
• Chicago
• Central Illinois