Thunderstorm Wind — Harrison, Ohio

2020-11-15 · near Clendening, Harrison, Ohio

Event narrative

More info: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2020/11/17/bodies-missing-michigan-hunters-found-clendening-lake-ohio/6322047002/

Two men, aged 43 and 60 and residents of south central Michigan, died when an overloaded watercraft, convective wind, and not being prepared for the environmental conditions all played a role in capsizing their boat. Most likely, based on available information, they were very low in the water and became swamped by high wave action. This resulted in them going into the water, and with no personal flotation devices, they succumbed to hyperthermia and drowned.

Wider weather episode

A shortwave trough axis lifted quickly across the Great Lakes and the Upper Ohio Valley on November 15th, taking on a negative tilt as it did so. Deepening surface low pressure tracked across Michigan and into Ontario during the day, whipping a cold front across the region during the late morning and early afternoon. Some of the classic ingredients for a widespread wind event were present, including a negatively- tilted trough, jet positioning over the region, and a favorable Great Lakes surface low track. Strong post-frontal 3 hour pressure rises of 5-7 mb were observed, and a low-topped mostly lightning-free convective line accompanied the boundary. Widespread wind gusts of at least 45-55 MPH were observed, with several higher measured gusts seen. Along the convective line, gusts of 55-65 MPH likely occurred. This resulted in widespread reports of wind damage to trees and power lines, with a few instances of mostly minor structural damage. Unfortunately, two deaths occurred on Clendening Lake when two persons were boating at the time the convective line arrived.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (40.2385, -81.2181)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 923091. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.