Updated 01.24.21 @ 4:08p
As we write this, the Indianapolis National Weather Service is in the process of issuing a Winter Weather Advisory across central Indiana from 5a to 1p Monday.
While areas of freezing fog/ freezing drizzle will impact some communities, generally a quiet evening is in store for central Indiana. Unfortunately that will begin to change prior to most folks leaving for work/ school Monday morning. A shield of moisture will lift north into the state during the predawn hours before encompassing immediate central Indiana after sunrise. With shallow cold air locked in place at the surface, the predominant precipitation type will be freezing rain across central Indiana. Surface temperatures will likely be between 28° & 32° during the onset of precipitation Monday morning.
While areas from Indianapolis and points south will change to rain by early afternoon, the growing concern here is the lack of warm air advection with this system. Areas from the northern ‘burbs and points north may have a hard time nudging above the freezing mark (at least before the majority of precipitation falls) tomorrow afternoon. Note the high resolution data still holding onto the colder air tomorrow evening (image below valid at 5p Monday).
As such, the highlighted area below is of greatest concern for the threat of ice accretion greater than 1/4” Monday. This includes northern ‘burbs and points north to a line from Lafayette over to Kokomo and Portland. Areas further note will remain cold enough to maintain wintry precipitation, but the depth of the cold will likely keep things predominantly of the frozen (not “freezing” 🙂 variety).
We’ll be back into the office tonight and issue our official client brief, but I wanted to be sure to touch base on our latest thoughts from the road this afternoon. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!