Category: Unseasonably Warm

Snow moved in during the predawn hours Saturday across north-central Indiana before encompassing more of central Indiana as the morning progressed. By mid-late morning, an incredibly intense band (2″+/ hour snowfall rates) set-up shop just north of Indianapolis. This was a byproduct of strong frontogenesis and dynamic cooling. Speaking of frontogenesis, if interested, here’s a fantastic article that can explain things further.

The end result was an “overachieving” wet snow event across north-central Indiana, including as far south as the northern Indianapolis ‘burbs. Sleet made it as far south as Greenwood before precipitation ended Saturday evening.

While the placement of our accumulating snow zone was a good one, amounts of 4″ to 5″ were reported throughout the southern half of this 1″ to 2″ forecast zone. This morning’s snowfall analysis shows the narrow, but moderate stripe of wet snow through the state:

As the sun rises and clouds begin to depart, that snowpack is showing up on this morning’s visible satellite image.

Officially, Indianapolis recorded 1.2″ Saturday, but as noted above, areas just north received as much as 4″ to 5″. With that increasing March sunshine today, snow will be all but a distant memory by later this afternoon. The average high for March 15th is in the lower 50s. Most will be 5° to 7° colder than that today with mid 40s for most.

As we turn the page and look ahead to what the remainder of the week will provide, a weak cold front will sweep through the Ohio Valley Monday night and Tuesday. This will be a moisture-starved frontal passage with only scattered, light showers anticipated tomorrow evening/ early Tuesday.

Things then turn much more unsettled as we head into the second half of the week. An initial wave of moisture will result in a period of moderate to heavy rain Wednesday. This will be followed up with a round of thunderstorms Thursday PM into early Friday morning. Some of these storms may reach strong to severe levels and will require us to continue to closely monitor things throughout the week.

Widespread 2″ to 2.5″+ rainfall amounts can be expected by the time everything winds down Friday afternoon. Most of that will fall Wednesday and Thursday night/ Friday morning.

We’ll dry out next weekend, but shift to a much colder time of things (lows in the 20s and highs in the 40s). This will come as a rather rude shock after highs Thursday flirt with the 65° to 70° mark.