Thursday Morning Rambles…

1.)  Morning showers and thunderstorms continue to impact north-central Indiana this morning and given the look to downstream trends on radar and satellite, it would seem like it’s going to be tough to get into any sort of significant sunshine this afternoon. This is great news as it’ll limit severe potential.  That said, we still can’t rule out a severe thunderstorm this evening with large hail and damaging straight line winds of greatest concern.  The updated (9a eastern) outlook from the Storm Prediction Center continues the “enhanced risk” for the southern half of Indiana.

2.)  We bracket the hours of 2p-8p (couple hours earlier from yesterday’s thinking) as the period of potential most widespread strong to severe thunderstorms across central Indiana, and the HRRR forecast radar shows what the radar may look like this evening. Have a means of getting the latest warnings.

3.)  Scattered showers will continue into Friday morning before drier air arrives during the evening hours.

4.)  This drier trend Friday PM is one that will continue into the weekend.  High pressure will supply mostly dry weather through the entire weekend (small shower chances return Sunday evening), including sunshine.

5.)  Another active period of weather awaits next week, including multiple rain chances early and late week.  The latter storm looks to be the bigger event with heavy rain and thunderstorm potential Wednesday into Thursday.  7-day rain numbers check in between 1.5″-2″ with locally heavier amounts.

6.)  The story becomes a chilly one next weekend, and models suggest central Indiana may be dealing with frost and freeze conditions by next Saturday or Sunday morning.

Wet Close To The Work Week, But A Dry Weekend Is Ahead…

Highlights:

  • Next weather maker arrives to close the work week
  • Dry weekend coming
  • Next storm system on deck

Rain Gear Needed To Close The Work Week…Wednesday will dawn with low clouds and areas of fog in spots, but that should diminish and possibly give way to a couple looks of the sunshine before our next storm system quickly approaches.  If we see any sun Wednesday it won’t last long, as clouds will once again be on the increase Wednesday afternoon with a scattered shower possible.  Rain coverage will become more widespread Thursday, and we’ll introduce a rumble of thunder into the forecast Thursday afternoon/ evening.  Showers will continue Friday before scattering Friday afternoon.

The decreasing Friday afternoon rain chances signals a drier change that we’ll enjoy for the weekend (perfect timing)!  High pressure will build into the region and support dry conditions.  The temperature forecast is a bit tricky Saturday.  We’re banking on a mostly cloudy sky that would limit highs into the middle 50s.  Should we see more in the way of sunshine than currently expected, highs would zoom close to 60° Saturday.  Dry conditions remain Sunday.

Our next storm system will result in increasing rain and storm coverage Monday afternoon, continuing into the day on Tuesday.  If we look just beyond the forecast period, a shot of unseasonably cold air could send temperatures to sub-freezing levels by the latter parts of next week…

Upcoming 7-Day Precipitation Forecast:

  • Snowfall: 0.00″
  • Rainfall:  1.00″ – 1.50″

Couple Storm Systems To Deal With Before A Pleasant Weekend…

Highlights:

  • Couple rounds of rain this week
  • Periods of dry weather in between
  • Nice weekend ahead

Not A Bad Week…The work week is off to a dry start, but a fast-moving storm system promises to trigger showers later this afternoon into the evening hours across central Indiana, and perhaps some stronger thunderstorms across southern Indiana.  With this being a quick moving storm, dry conditions will return as early as tomorrow.  Dry conditions remain Wednesday with periods of sunshine and pleasantly mild temperatures.

Another storm system will deliver showers and thunderstorms Thursday into Friday.  Temperatures will remain mild through Thursday, but Friday will feature cooler conditions (near seasonal norms).  This shouldn’t be a particularly heavy rain maker, but expect wet times Thursday into Friday.

The good news in this forecast is the timing between storm systems should allow for a beautiful weekend ahead.  We forecast sunshine to return and while it’ll be a touch cooler, that high early April sun angle will provide for a pleasant feel.

Upcoming 7-Day Precipitation Forecast:

  • Snowfall: 0.00″
  • Rainfall: 0.75″ – 1.25″

Rain Chances Go Up Late…

Highlights:

  • Shower and t-storm chances increase late
  • Another storm system arrives Monday afternoon
  • Late-week questions

Active Period…Most of Saturday across central Indiana will feature dry conditions.  It’s not until we get to Saturday evening and into the overnight that shower and thunderstorm coverage will begin to really increase in earnest.  Periods of showers continue Sunday (especially the first of the day day).

A dry start to Monday will give way to increasing cloudiness with showers and thunderstorms arriving by the afternoon and evening hours.  This fast-moving area of low pressure will then depart as quickly as it arrives and leave us with dry conditions Tuesday into Wednesday.

We’re then left with late-week questions.  The GFS is significantly cooler than the European and we’ll craft this portion of the forecast with a blend- leaning more in the direction of the warmer European solution.  Showers and thunderstorms are likely Thursday into Friday.

Upcoming 7-Day Precipitation Forecast:

  • Snowfall: 0.00″
  • Rainfall: 1.50″ – 2.00″

Turning Warmer, But Unsettled…

Highlights:

  • Another cold morning
  • Turning unsettled
  • Warmer heading into early next week

Warmer, But Rain Chances Return…Before we enjoy the warmer temperatures to close the week, we have one more very cold morning to go through.  Many central Indiana neighborhoods are once again starting the day in the mid to upper 20s.  Though we’ll add more clouds to our Thursday forecast (compared to all of that Wednesday sunshine), it won’t prevent temperatures from moderating close to seasonal levels later this afternoon.

Though we’ll mention a quick passing shower chance Friday, most of the day should be dry and the bigger story will actually be temperatures that approach 70° by the afternoon with periods of sunshine.  Sounds like a recipe for getting out of the office early and finding a local patio, huh?!

Unfortunately, shower chances will be on the uptick this weekend and while it won’t rain the entire time, really any time of the weekend is fair game for the potential of a shower or perhaps a thunderstorm.  As of now, best shower coverage should be Sunday.

Shower and thunderstorms chances continue early next week (Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning) before drier air and slightly cooler temperatures return the middle of next week.

Upcoming 7-Day Precipitation Forecast:

  • Snowfall: 0.00″
  • Rainfall: 1.00″ – 1.50″