NEW CASTLE, Indiana — A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for New Castle, Spiceland and Lewisville, effective until 6:45 PM EDT, after radar detected a fast-moving storm capable of producing 60 mph wind gusts and 1 inch hail. The storm was pushing east through the warned area at 33 mph, leaving little time for residents to prepare before it arrived.
What the Warning Said
Radar imagery captured at 6:11 PM ET picked up a strong storm cell tracking directly through New Castle. The warning indicated the storm was capable of producing hail up to 1 inch in diameter and wind gusts as strong as 60 mph.
- Radar reflectivity inside the strongest part of the storm reached 26 dBZ, a sign the cell was producing heavy rainfall along with the hail and wind threat.
- The storm’s forward speed was clocked at 33 mph, faster than a typical thunderstorm, which cut down on the amount of warning time available to residents.
- At the time of the 6:11 PM ET radar scan, roughly 35 minutes remained before the warning’s 6:45 PM EDT cutoff.
Why the Numbers Changed in a Follow-Up Statement
Not long after the warning went out, a separate Strong Storm Statement was issued for a nearby cell, and it carried slightly lower numbers than the original radar-indicated threat. This kind of update is normal during fast-developing severe weather. Radar-indicated values are estimates based on how a storm looks on radar the moment it is scanned, while a storm statement reflects a closer look as the storm continues to move.
- The updated max hail size was measured at 0.5 inches, roughly the size of a nickel, down from the 1 inch radar estimate.
- The updated max wind gust was measured at 40 mph, down from the 60 mph radar-indicated threat.
- That statement carried the same rough 35 minute window before conditions were expected to improve.
Even with the lower numbers, both 0.5 inch hail and 40 mph gusts are strong enough to cause minor damage, so residents were not in the clear simply because the second statement showed smaller numbers.
Storm Track Toward Hagerstown
Radar motion shown in the graphic indicated the storm was moving out of the Spiceland and New Castle area generally toward Hagerstown. Storms moving at 33 mph can cover a lot of ground quickly, so communities downstream of the initial warning area were urged to stay weather aware even if skies still looked calm where they were. Storms trailing behind this one can trigger new warnings quickly, so residents were encouraged to keep checking for updates rather than assume the threat had passed once this particular warning expired.
What a Severe Thunderstorm Warning Actually Means
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued when a storm is producing, or is expected to produce, wind gusts of at least 58 mph, hail of at least 1 inch in diameter, or both. That threshold was met by the radar-indicated 60 mph wind gusts and 1 inch hail near New Castle, which is why the warning was issued rather than a lower-level watch or advisory.
Unlike a tornado warning, a severe thunderstorm warning does not mean residents need to shelter in a basement or interior room, but it does mean conditions outside can turn dangerous quickly.
What Residents in New Castle, Spiceland and Lewisville Should Do
- Move away from windows and stay inside a sturdy building until the warning expires.
- Bring pets indoors and avoid open areas like porches, patios or parking lots.
- If driving, slow down and pull over safely rather than continuing through 60 mph wind gusts or hail.
- Secure or bring in loose outdoor items such as patio furniture, trash cans and grills that wind gusts near 60 mph can easily turn into projectiles.
- Avoid parking vehicles under trees, since branches can snap in gusts this strong.
Why the Hail and Wind Levels Matter
Hail measuring 1 inch, about the size of a quarter, can dent vehicles, damage roofing and shred garden plants in a matter of minutes. Wind gusts of 60 mph are strong enough to snap weak tree limbs, down power lines and make driving hazardous, especially for high-profile vehicles. Even the lower 40 mph gusts noted in the follow-up statement can knock over unsecured lawn furniture and cause scattered branch damage.
