A mostly dry and warm weekend is underway. The Friday afternoon sunshine we enjoyed is a preview of what the majority of the weekend will provide. We note the threat of a scattered shower or storm across northern portions of the state during the predawn hours Saturday and across central portions of the state (including Indianapolis) during the predawn hours Sunday. That said, in both cases, most will remain rain-free.
The big event is still slated for a late Sunday night arrival. Low pressure will sit and spin across the Plains states Saturday into Sunday. While we stay mostly dry, a major severe weather outbreak will likely unfold across this area during the day Saturday and again Sunday.
Better chances of rain and thunderstorms will arrive across central Indiana late Sunday night. Some of these storms may be strong, but we think it’s more in the Monday and Tuesday time frame where we really need to be on our toes in regards to severe potential. At this juncture, it appears as if all modes of severe weather will be in play across the region, including tornadoes, hail, and damaging straight line winds. An enhanced risk of severe weather will lie across southern portions of the state.
The Days 4 and 5 severe weather outlook from the fine folks at the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) will likely be expanded north as we move forward.
Forecast radar from some of our high resolution model data suggests thunderstorms begin to rumble into the state as early as Sunday night.
Eventually, this big spring storm will begin to weaken and turn into a large closed off upper level low pressure system. This promises a MUCH cooler stretch here mid to late next week along with continued unsettled conditions, with periods of showers and blustery northwest winds. In fact, IND very well record measurable precipitation every day Sunday through next Saturday…
After a warm weekend and early week, note the colder air moving in to wrap up April and open May. Temperatures are moving in the wrong direction. Highs by the mid to latter part of next week will only make it into the lower 50s some days. The first week of May looks much cooler than average.