You must be logged in to view this content. Click Here to become a member of IndyWX.com for full access. Already a member of IndyWx.com All-Access? Log-in here.
Category: Forecast
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2018/04/01/video-heavy-wet-snow-arrives-before-sunset/
Mar 31
I’m Dreaming Of A White…Easter?
A cold front will blow through central Indiana this evening and colder air will spill into the region overnight. We’ll wake up with temperatures in the upper 20s to lower 30s Easter morning with dry conditions in place.
Most of the daytime Easter Sunday will feature dry conditions. Clouds will increase, lower, and thicken through the afternoon ahead of an area of low pressure that will track through the lower Ohio Valley Easter night. This will spread precipitation into central Indiana towards 5p-6p. Initially, precipitation is likely to begin as a cold rain, but we expect a rather quick transition to wet snow shortly after the onset. Periods of moderate to heavy snow will fall into the nighttime across the I-70 corridor. This will lead to reduced visibility and slick travel as snowfall rates will (once again) overcome marginally cold surface and pavement temperatures. If you must travel tomorrow night and early Monday, expect roadways to be slick at times- including being slush and snow covered.
Here’s an idea of what the radar may look like tomorrow night, courtesy of weatherbell.com:
6p forecast radar
8p forecast radar
10p forecast radar
12a forecast radar Monday
This will be a rather quick-hitting event, but “thump” potential is written all over it, including localized intense banding. These localized bands could result in a couple of reports of 4″+ in spots. We think heaviest snow falls in the 6p-midnight window.
Our current snowfall forecast:
Another winter event is possible next weekend, including the potential of additional accumulating snow. Should we get snow down, the possibility of near-record cold is present with the late season blast of arctic air next weekend. Lows in the 10s aren’t out of the question at least one night next weekend- likely Sunday.
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2018/03/31/im-dreaming-of-a-white-easter/
Mar 31
VIDEO: Gusty Winds & Showers This Afternoon; Accumulating Snow For Easter…
You must be logged in to view this content. Click Here to become a member of IndyWX.com for full access. Already a member of IndyWx.com All-Access? Log-in here.
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2018/03/31/video-gusty-winds-accumulating-snow-for-easter/
Mar 24
Heavy, Wet Snow Continues For Most Of Central Indiana…
Right out of the gate, our ongoing snowfall forecast remains unchanged:
Heavy, wet snow will continue through the majority of the day for central Indiana. At times, banding will produce snowfall rates in excess of 1″ per hour. On the southern periphery of the snow zone, a mixture of sleet and rain will mix in at times, but as precipitation rates increase, dynamic cooling will keep the predominant precipitation type as snow even on the southern tier.
Despite marginally cold pavement temperatures, the heavy snowfall rate is having no problem accumulating on area roadways and multiple traffic hazards have already been reported this morning, particularly in Boone County. If you don’t have to travel today, it’s best to remain at home.
As temperatures fall into the lower to middle 20s tonight, refreezing will occur and areas of black ice will develop, especially on untreated, secondary roadways.
The “big dig” will begin in earnest Sunday morning as dry conditions return and the added increasingly strong March sun angle will also help in clean up efforts by afternoon.
By the way, please keep your snow reports and photos coming!
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2018/03/24/heavy-wet-snow-continues-for-most-of-central-indiana/
Mar 23
Settling In From The Road: Quick Review Of Latest Thoughts…
I apologize for not having an update out sooner, but have been on the road all day and just getting settled in. With that said, I’ve been keeping up-to-date with the latest model data and really have no significant changes to our ongoing snowfall forecast:
Latest highlights:
- A cold rain will overspread the state during the overnight
- Expect rain to change to wet snow during the pre-dawn hours for Indianapolis and surrounding areas
- Heavy wet snow will continue through the morning and afternoon and where heaviest bands set up, snowfall rates of 1″+ per hour can be anticipated
- Winds will gust to 30 MPH+ into the evening hours Saturday
- Snow will diminish from northwest to southeast Saturday evening
- As we always say, late March snow events always bring surprises and while bust potential is present (both on the high and low side on the going forecast), this is our best idea and it’ll be fun to watch things unfold.
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2018/03/23/settling-in-from-the-road-quick-review-of-latest-thoughts/
Mar 23
Winter Storm Impacts Central Indiana Saturday…
Today is the proverbial “calm before the storm” as sunny skies give way to increasingly cloudy conditions during the afternoon and evening. We remain dry today and pleasant, too, with highs around 50 across most central Indiana reporting sites.
Things will begin to change rather quickly during the overnight as rain builds into the state from northwest to southeast, especially after midnight. As we move through the predawn hours (5a to 7a time frame) we expect rain to transition to wet heavy snow across central parts of the state, including Indianapolis.
The culprit? Surface low pressure tracking off the lee of the Rockies (today) into the Missouri boot heel (Saturday evening). Add in a blocking high to the north and this will help provide the cold needed to lead to our winter storm. From an overall pattern perspective, this “blocky” regime is really what’s been missing for the better part of the past few years as we’ve written in previous posts. It’s no coincidence that with the blocky regime, central parts of the state are in line for the biggest winter storm in years. Also of interest is the correlation between late winter blocking patterns and what the next winter can provide, along with other items (another story for another day), but there’s reason to believe we may be on the cusp of returning to winters featuring more snow in the coming 2-3 years.
Back to the present:
Our snowfall forecast includes a widespread swath of 4″ to 8″ amounts through the heart of the state.
We remain very impressed with the prospects of banding which could include snowfall rates of 1″ to 2″ per hour Saturday morning into the afternoon hours. With such snowfall intensity, even marginally cold surface/ pavement temperatures will allow for slick and hazardous travel across many central Indiana communities Saturday. Additionally, within localized heavier bands, don’t be surprised for a report or two of thundersnow across central Indiana. Please share your reports with us as things unfold tomorrow! Finally, an icy mixture of sleet and freezing rain will also mix with the snow at times along the southern periphery.
Forecast radar 11a Saturday
Snow should begin to diminish in overall coverage and intensity by Saturday evening- from northwest to southeast. By that point in time, we’re left with the clean up duties from what will likely be the heaviest snow in a few years for some of us. The other item to touch on: gusty winds as we still expect 30 MPH + gusts during the day Saturday.
With all of that said, let’s remember March snow events always offer “surprises-” no matter how much we try to eliminate those surprises. There will be winners and losers with this event in the snow department.
Forecast radar 7p Saturday.
Sunday will feature a return of dry conditions, as well as a return of the sunshine!
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2018/03/23/winter-storm-impacts-central-indiana-saturday/
Mar 20
VIDEO: Snow Overspreads Southern; Eastern Indiana This Evening…
You must be logged in to view this content. Click Here to become a member of IndyWX.com for full access. Already a member of IndyWx.com All-Access? Log-in here.
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2018/03/20/video-snow-overspreads-southern-eastern-indiana-this-evening/
Mar 19
Wet Snow Event For East-Central Indiana…
Moisture will overspread the southern half of the state as we progress through the evening. Expect an increasingly damp time of things, especially from the I-70 corridor and points south through the overnight period. Eventually, as cold air oozes south, precipitation will become mixed with a wintry “cocktail” of sleet, freezing rain, and wet snow along the I-70 corridor during the overnight into the predawn hours Tuesday.
While major travel problems aren’t expected, a slushy accumulation is possible along the I-70 stretch early Tuesday morning.
We’ll be in between systems and undergo a bit of a lull in the action during the majority of the daytime hours Tuesday. However, as upper level energy spins closer to the region, we’ll notice an expanding area of snow that will initially develop across south-central parts of the state Tuesday afternoon before encompassing eastern portions of the region Tuesday evening. During this time period, snowfall intensity will also begin to ramp up and we fully expect periods of wet heavy snow to fall through the nighttime into Wednesday morning across eastern Indiana.
Our initial first-stab at accumulations includes a band of 3″ to 6″ amounts across far eastern parts of the state, and it’s within this zone that we’ll likely see a few 6″+ reports before things begin to wind down late Wednesday morning into the early afternoon. Somewhere between New Castle and Richmond very well may end up being the winner with this event.
Given the unseasonably cold March ongoing, along with expected snowfall intensity, accumulation on roadways and travel problems are expected to develop Tuesday night into Wednesday morning across eastern Indiana. We recommend having travel completed before sunset Tuesday evening if your travels take you to, or through, far eastern Indiana.
As we’ve stated, March snow events always have “surprises.” While we try our best to eliminate as many of these surprises as possible, it’s simply the nature of the beast this time of year. Early spring snow events are notorious for producing localized intense bands of snow (more so than even high resolution models can show) given the right dynamics and time of day. Just something to keep in mind as we progress through the upcoming 24 to 48 hours.
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2018/03/19/wet-snow-event-for-east-central-indiana/
Mar 19
VIDEO: Accumulating Snow Impacts Parts Of The Area Tuesday-Wednesday…
You must be logged in to view this content. Click Here to become a member of IndyWX.com for full access. Already a member of IndyWx.com All-Access? Log-in here.
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2018/03/19/video-accumulating-snow-impacts-parts-of-the-area-tuesday-wednesday/
Mar 12
VIDEO: Wintry Open To The Week; Cold Hangs Through Late March…
You must be logged in to view this content. Click Here to become a member of IndyWX.com for full access. Already a member of IndyWx.com All-Access? Log-in here.
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2018/03/12/video-wintry-open-to-the-week-cold-hangs-through-late-march/