August 12, 2023 Severe Weather

Overview

A shortwave trough moved across the eastern Great Lakes during the day Saturday as a cold front pushed southeast toward the area. Moderate to strong instability developed quickly by late Saturday morning with 3500-4000 J/kg of SBCAPE, 1500-2500 J/kg of MLCAPE, and 40-50 knots of deep-layer wind shear across most of the area by 16Z. A kitchen sink of threats was expected with damaging wind gusts, large hail, tornadoes, and heavy rain all possibilities. In anticipation of this threat, a large portion of the area was placed under an Enhanced Risk (risk level 3/5) for severe weather from the Storm Prediction Center with a Slight Risk (risk level 2/5) for nearly everywhere else.

Thunderstorms initiated just to the southwest of the area before filling in and moving east across much of northern Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania. Despite the atmosphere being worked over with the initial round, additional (weaker) thunderstorms developed as the cold front pushed southeast across the area later in the afternoon into the early evening. The most notable storm was a supercell that developed and produced a tornado over Kenton, OH (Hardin County) and tracked east across Marion, southern Richland/Ashland, and into Holmes County, producing sporadic tornadic damage and a couple of visual tornado reports in western Marion County near La Rue. Other reports of funnel clouds were received across Richland and Ashland Counties, but with damage limited to tree damage due to non-tornadic winds with the parent thunderstorm. Another brief EF-0 tornado occurred in Holmes County from this storm. Another supercell thunderstorm prompted tornado warnings in Portage and Mahoning Counties. While the thunderstorm produced a large, rotating wall cloud no tornadic damage was found in either county. Large hail up to golf ball sized and sporadic tree damage did still result from that storm.

Despite the extremely favorable instability and dynamics, wind damage and hail reports were limited to three main swaths: along the lakeshore of north-central Ohio, damage from Marion County to Holmes County associated with the tornadic supercell, and some wind damage and large hail across Portage and Mahoning counties with the second strong supercell thunderstorm. Torrential rainfall rates and repeated rounds of rain prompted a few Flood Advisories and Flash Flood Warnings.

Tornadoes:

Tornado – La Rue
Marion County, OH

Date 8/12/2023
Time (Local) 1:08 PM EDT
EF Rating EF-1
Est. Peak Winds 90 mph
Path Length 0.1 miles
Max Width 75 yards
Injuries/Deaths 0
Summary:

A brief tornado touched down just south of the intersection of State Route 309 and Dry Lane Road N. Part of the roof was torn off of an outbuilding with some debris thrown into a nearby field. A few trees were also damaged on the property. Maximum winds were estimated up to 90 mph, and the tornado had a maximum width of 75 yards.

NWS Cleveland thanks Marion County Emergency Management for their assistance with this survey.

Tornado – Nashville
Holmes County, OH

Date 8/12/2023
Time (Local) 3:20 PM – 3:21 PM EDT
EF Rating EF-0
Est. Peak Winds 70 mph
Path Length 1.61 miles
Max Width 25 yards
Injuries/Deaths 0
Summary:

An NWS Storm Survey confirmed a weak, intermittent EF-0 tornado with a maximum estimated wind speed of 70 mph occurred in Holmes County on August 12, 2023. The tornado began near Township Road 501, south of State Route 39, and continued southeast to County Road 51 before dissipating. Tree damage consistent with a weak tornado was evident along this short, intermittent path, including a variety of uprooted and snapped trees and sheared-off tops of other trees. No structural damage was observed and no injuries were reported.

NWS Cleveland thanks Holmes County Emergency Management for their assistance with this survey.

Tornado – Union City
Erie County, PA

Date 8/12/2023
Time (Local) 1:33 PM – 1:34 PM EDT
EF Rating EF-0
Est. Peak Winds 70 mph
Path Length 0.45 miles
Max Width 20 yards
Injuries/Deaths 0
Summary:

An NWS Storm Survey confirmed a weak, intermittent EF-0 tornado with a maximum estimated wind speed of 70 mph occurred in Erie County on August 12, 2023. The tornado began north of Concord Road and east of Oneil Road. The Tornado tracked southeast and lifted before crossing Concord Road. A large tree was blown down and scattered across Concord Road. Minor damage occurred to the house. No injuries were reported.

NWS Cleveland thanks Erie County Pennsylvania Emergency Management for their assistance with this survey.