Our Friday is off to a pleasant start but a few showers and embedded thunder will push across the state later this afternoon and evening as a warm front lifts north across the region. This will place Indiana in an increasingly warm, moist airmass over the weekend and on into early and middle portions of next week. Rounds of heavier rain and storms are expected next week ahead of a brief push of cooler, drier air heading into the first weekend of May…
While we have a couple of storm systems to track in the upcoming week, the majority of the heavy rain and severe weather will remain confined to areas west of here- mostly throughout the Plains and into the upper Mid West. In short, the immediate-term has “more bark than bite.”
The overall long range look reflects a lack of any sort of stagnant regime, locally, and it also doesn’t show that we’ll have to endure much in the way of “extremes” over the upcoming 3-4 week period from a temperature or precipitation perspective. – A good sign as Plant24 hits its true stride.
Week 1
The JMA and European are in agreement that this period will feature warmer than normal temperatures and near average rainfall. Of note, we’re tracking storm systems that will impact our weather Friday, Saturday, and again Monday and Tuesday.
Week 2
We note guidance getting more bullish on an East Coast trough beginning to develop during this time period. While likely averaging out slightly above normal as a whole in Week 2, I’d also plan on a few days of cooler air (type of stuff that could send us to around 40° at night and low-mid 60s during the day) around the Day 8 – 10 time frame. The period should once again feature timely rains, but nothing far off from the average.
Weeks 3-4
It’ll be interesting to watch what the European Weeklies do later today during this time frame, but the JMA is highlighting a more unsettled (wetter) pattern for now in the middle to latter part of May. Near to slightly below average temperatures and widespread above normal rains are being shown. (We’ll update this period after reviewing today’s European Weeklies).
Low level clouds will continue to push south this morning, leading to a mostly cloudy day, especially along and north of the I-70 corridor. Downstate will hold on to sunshine a little longer than up this way. All in all, it’ll be a cool and breezy day. Those clouds will clear out of here quickly later today and as winds diminish, it’ll set the stage for frost in many areas, especially outside of the city, itself come Thursday morning. Hang in there, warmer (and increasingly muggy days) await as we push through the weekend. This sets the tone for what’s ahead as we flip the page to early May…
The day is dawning quiet but that will change as we move through the afternoon. Not only will rain increase in coverage and intensity, but winds will pick up out of the southwest. A wind-whipped rain will greet commuters on the way home this evening.
Most local rain gauges should accumulate 0.35″ to 0.50″ with the passage of this cold front.
As mentioned, winds will be strong and gusty today. We’ll top out with gusts upwards of 40 MPH across the region- perhaps even a bit stronger in spots.
High pressure will settle overhead midweek, allowing for clearing skies, diminishing wind, and cooler temperatures.
Additional chances of patchy frost can be expected around the greater Indy area by Thursday morning. Outlying areas away from the city, itself, can expect to dip into the lower to middle 30s Thursday morning with widespread frost.
As we look ahead to the weekend and early next week, our region will undergo a regime change. Warmer, increasingly muggy air will replace the cool, stable air of midweek and storm chances will also increase. As of now, it looks like wettest days, including most widespread storms, will come Friday and Monday. While you’ll note storms in the forecast “box” below for Saturday and Sunday, it’s important to reiterate these will likely be few and far between (“splash and dash” variety). Most of the weekend is looking dry as of now.
The work week will start pleasant but take an unsettled turn rather abruptly Tuesday. Clouds will increase and give way to showers and embedded thunder ahead of another unseasonably cool push of air just in time for midweek. The other item of note Tuesday? Strong southwesterly winds upwards of 40 MPH at times ahead of that cold front.
More of a true spring-like pattern takes hold going into the weekend, complete with increasing storm chances.