Wet Close To 2018…

IND has already recorded over half an inch in the rain gauge this morning and there’s more where that came from between now and tonight. Steady rain will be replaced with scattered downpours late morning to around the lunchtime hour before widespread rain and embedded thunder returns early to mid afternoon.  Most can expect to tack on an additional half inch to inch of rain today and the latest HRRR sees this as well.

We’re also still monitoring the potential of strong to severe thunderstorms across southern portions of the state.  The Storm Prediction Center now includes far southern Indiana in a Slight Risk for severe weather today.  The primary concerns remain strong, damaging winds with a line of thunderstorms that may develop between 2p and 4p.  If your travels take you south towards Louisville today remain weather-aware.

Temperatures will run 25° to 30° colder New Year’s Day and a couple of scattered snow showers may fly- especially across the favored snowbelt areas to our north.

Have a happy and safe New Year’s Eve, friends!

Heavy Rain (And Thunder Downstate) Arrives For New Year’s Eve…

We’re enjoying pleasant conditions this afternoon with filtered sunshine and temperatures that should top out in the upper 30s to lower 40s later on.  Enjoy it, as a big rain event gets underway for New Year’s Eve.

This afternoon’s visible satellite shows sunshine dominating across the northern half of #INwx.

Clouds will increase tonight and rain won’t be too far behind.  We think wet weather builds into central Indiana before sunrise Monday (likely between 4a to 6a) and periods of heavy rain are still expected late morning into the afternoon and evening hours.

Rain will arrive into the city itself between 4a and 5a Monday. 

We continue to monitor the prospects of a skinny line of strong thunderstorms that may impact southern Indiana Monday afternoon and evening.  If your travels take you south to Louisville for NYE plans, this is something to monitor.  Widespread severe weather isn’t expected, but strong winds are possible if this line materializes.

Timing out prospects for a skinny line of storms to impact southern #INwx Monday afternoon. Best idea as of now will come between 2p and 4p.

This storm system will have a true tropical connection.  Precipitable water values will be quite “juicy” for late December and plenty capable of producing locally heavy totals.  Widespread 1″ to 1.5″ can be expected, but a few area rain gauges will likely see higher amounts.

Colder air will whip in here late tomorrow night and help lingering moisture fall as scattered snow showers New Year’s Day.  More later on the potential of wintry “mischief” later in the week…

Tracking 2 Rain Events; Cold Open to 2019…

Highlights:

  • Wet with a few t-storms
  • Dry weekend
  • Wet then cold to open 2019

Rain Gear Needed…The pattern is transitioning from the predominantly mild stretch of the past couple weeks to one that will turn much colder as we move into January.  In between?  Active times, as we’re tracking two big storm systems between now and NYE.

The initial push of moisture has reached the I-65 corridor as of this forecast issuance early Thursday morning.  Periods of rain will continue through a good chunk of the day and we may even throw in some thunder into the mix later this evening- especially across southern portions of the state.  The other big story today?  Strong and gusty southerly winds.

Rain will end later tonight with dry, blustery, and colder times returning as we close the week.  Highs tomorrow will come predawn before falling through the day.  Dry and seasonable times will continue as we move through the last weekend of 2018.

A new storm system promises a return of wet times as we get set to ring in the new year.  Definitely plan on having the rain gear handy as you head out to those New Year’s Eve parties Monday.  Heavy rain is possible at times.  As the area of low pressure tracks northeast, it’ll swing a cold front through here Monday night and we’ll turn sharply colder with snow showers on New Year’s Day, itself.

Damp Open To The Weekend; Improvements On The Way…

Highlights:

  • Damp at times through Saturday
  • Sunshine returns
  • Looking ahead to Christmas

Rain Gear Needed…A storm system will lift north along the Ohio River between now and Saturday night before crossing the Appalachians and “jumping” to the mid Atlantic coast Sunday into Monday.  This will result in periods of rain today and Saturday.  Heaviest and most concentrated rainfall will remain along and south of the I-70 corridor- especially across southwest IN.  For the majority of us, this won’t be a major rain event.

Improving weather will develop for the 2nd half of the weekend as we introduce at least a little sunshine into the forecast.  That sunshine will set the tone for the new work week, including a nice stretch of weather (by late-December standards) Monday through Wednesday.

A cold front will blow through the state Thursday with a shower possible, followed by colder air to close the work week.

Looking ahead towards Christmas, we still anticipate this to be around the timeframe that we’re transitioning back to colder air.  It’s far too early to get specific around rain or snow, but the transitional pattern does support the idea of more active times.  Stay tuned…