Challenging Northwest Flow Remains…

The region will remain in a challenging northwest flow for the balance of the upcoming 10-14 day period.  This can play havoc with forecast models, particularly from a timing standpoint.  In short, expect a continuation of active weather, including wetter and cooler than normal conditions.

Another weak disturbance will kick up a few scattered showers and potentially an embedded thunderstorm tonight.  Similar to Monday, this will come after a gorgeous day.

Forecast radar at 1a Wednesday shows scattered showers still impacting portions of the state:

The majority of our midweek stretch looks rain-free, but more widespread showers and thunderstorms will return as we push into the weekend.  Recent trends have also slowed the FROPA (frontal passage) down significantly- now perhaps not until late Sunday.

There will be dry time this weekend, but with a moisture laden air mass in place, locally heavy downpours can be expected, including rainfall potential of 1″+ this weekend for neighborhoods that get under a heavier storm.

Longer-term, modeling continues to suggest a cooler than normal pattern persists as we push through the first half of June.

In fact, there may be a couple of days early next week where highs struggle to reach 70° with lows in the upper 40s to lower 50s.  Very refreshing, indeed, for early June.

Pleasant Weather As We Close May…

Highlights:

  • Pleasant weather ahead
  • Storm chances return to close the week
  • Drier trend this weekend

Happy Memorial Day…Before we look forward to the rest of the week, a secondary cold front will pass this evening and a couple of showers could bubble up as sunset nears.  These won’t be a big deal and should be quick movers with cooler, drier air building in overnight.  That will set the stage for a very pleasant midweek stretch, temperature-wise.  Another round of showers are possible Wednesday, but more dry time can be expected than wet.

More widespread showers and thunderstorms will return as we close the work week and open the weekend.  A cold front will push southeast Saturday morning and we’ll turn briefly warmer and more humid Friday with increasing thunderstorm chances during the back half of the day.  Once the front slides to our south, drier and cooler air will quickly return.  From this distance the weekend doesn’t look bad, at all.  Unseasonably cool, dry air will continue next week.

Upcoming 7-Day Precipitation Forecast:

  • Snowfall: 0.00″
  • Rainfall:  0.50″ – 1.00″

More Dry Time Than Not, But Keeping A Close Eye On Storm Chances…

Highlights:

  • Much more dry time than stormy
  • Timing storm chances
  • Unseasonably cool open to June

Best Storm Chances Arrive Overnight…Low clouds and areas of fog should dissipate and give way to partial sunshine as we progress into the late morning and afternoon hours.  A warm and humid feel will develop this afternoon.

The majority of the long race and holiday weekend will be free of any rain and storms, but we will continue to keep a close eye on the potential of more widespread storm activity:

Overnight tonight into early Sunday morning and again Sunday afternoon.

Data would place more emphasis on the potential of widespread severe weather across southern parts of the state tonight.  Damaging wind and hail are the primary concerns.  Additionally, as a cold front rumbles into the warm and moist airmass in place Sunday afternoon, additional strong to severe storms may develop.  These will be more scattered in nature when compared to the overnight round of storms, but any one particular neighborhood across central Indiana is fair game for getting wet for a brief time Sunday afternoon.

The cold front will sweep through the state Sunday evening and usher in a less humid and pleasant Memorial Day.  We’ll keep an eye on Tuesday into Wednesday for shower chances, but think we’ll remain mostly rain-free.  The region will be under a fast-paced northwest flow aloft and models can struggle with specifics associated with weak disturbances in that northwest flow.  The next chance of storms arrives Friday, along with a warmer feel.

Upcoming 7-Day Precipitation Forecast:

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

Latest Thoughts On Memorial Day And Race Weekend…

As the race weekend and Memorial Day draw ever-closer, data is able to pick up on some of the specifics associated with our weather for the all-important long weekend.

After scrolling through the data this evening, it appears as if we need to bracket late Friday night-Saturday morning and again late Saturday into Sunday morning for the potential of two rounds of gusty storms.  Some of these storms could reach strong to severe levels, and the Storm Prediction Center continues to outline central Indiana for a Slight Risk Saturday (large hail and damaging straight line winds are of greatest concern, locally).

Despite having to dodge a couple rounds of gusty storms this weekend, we want to stress that the majority of the holiday weekend should feature rain-free hours, and certainly isn’t worth cancelling any outdoor plans.  In fact, after a beautiful Carb Day, most of the daytime hours both Saturday and Sunday should be rain and storm free.  Have a means of getting the latest weather information, but plan to enjoy long stretches of rain-free hours this weekend.

Much more later!