Category: Unseasonably Warm

Looking Ahead Into Early April…

Month-to-date, Indianapolis is running near seasonal norms from a temperature standpoint (0.50° above normal).  Chill has dominated the northern tier and eastern third of the country.

Precipitation is running above normal, locally, to the tune of nearly 1″ month-to-date.  Heaviest rains have fallen across southeastern Indiana over the past (30) days.

A look at precipitation anomalies across the mid west, month-to-date:

As we progress through the upcoming (10) days, a transient weather pattern will persist.  This will keep forecasters busy, but it should also be stressed it’s not all a “doom and gloom” type pattern, either.  There will be plenty of dry time over the upcoming period, including drier conditions building in tomorrow (Tuesday) into a good chunk of Wednesday.

By Wednesday night/ Thursday morning, shower chances will begin to increase and that will set the stage for a wet close to the work week as numerous showers and embedded thunder move across the region Thursday into Friday.  This is courtesy of a storm system “bowling” through to our south.  This won’t be a severe weather maker for our neck of the woods, but will serve to create a rather damp and gloomy regime during the aforementioned period.

However, timing is our friend this go around as upper ridging develops over the upcoming weekend.  Not only will we dry out, but we’ll also enjoy increasing sunshine as the weekend progresses.

That said, looking further down the pipe line, another (potentially more significant) storm system looms during the 8-10 day period.  This would fall in the April 3rd-4th time frame.  From this distance, models are bullish on hefty rainfall totals with this storm system and we’ll keep a close eye on things as time draws closer.

Speaking of April, our overall thoughts for the fourth month of the year (where does time go?) would imply a warmer than average month and active (wetter than average).  Relative to average, we feel we still may have some chill to traverse early month, but there’s also some indication we could bust into an early summer-like feel mid and late month.  With the mean trough position west and ridging east, we’ll have to also be mindful for the potential of an active severe weather month- especially mid and late month.  Overall, the CanSIPS idea below is one we would agree with from a mean 500mb perspective.

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/looking-ahead-into-early-april/

Couple Storm Systems To Deal With Before A Pleasant Weekend…

Highlights:

  • Couple rounds of rain this week
  • Periods of dry weather in between
  • Nice weekend ahead

Not A Bad Week…The work week is off to a dry start, but a fast-moving storm system promises to trigger showers later this afternoon into the evening hours across central Indiana, and perhaps some stronger thunderstorms across southern Indiana.  With this being a quick moving storm, dry conditions will return as early as tomorrow.  Dry conditions remain Wednesday with periods of sunshine and pleasantly mild temperatures.

Another storm system will deliver showers and thunderstorms Thursday into Friday.  Temperatures will remain mild through Thursday, but Friday will feature cooler conditions (near seasonal norms).  This shouldn’t be a particularly heavy rain maker, but expect wet times Thursday into Friday.

The good news in this forecast is the timing between storm systems should allow for a beautiful weekend ahead.  We forecast sunshine to return and while it’ll be a touch cooler, that high early April sun angle will provide for a pleasant feel.

Upcoming 7-Day Precipitation Forecast:

  • Snowfall: 0.00″
  • Rainfall: 0.75″ – 1.25″

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/couple-storm-systems-to-deal-with-before-a-pleasant-weekend/

Rain Chances Go Up Late…

Highlights:

  • Shower and t-storm chances increase late
  • Another storm system arrives Monday afternoon
  • Late-week questions

Active Period…Most of Saturday across central Indiana will feature dry conditions.  It’s not until we get to Saturday evening and into the overnight that shower and thunderstorm coverage will begin to really increase in earnest.  Periods of showers continue Sunday (especially the first of the day day).

A dry start to Monday will give way to increasing cloudiness with showers and thunderstorms arriving by the afternoon and evening hours.  This fast-moving area of low pressure will then depart as quickly as it arrives and leave us with dry conditions Tuesday into Wednesday.

We’re then left with late-week questions.  The GFS is significantly cooler than the European and we’ll craft this portion of the forecast with a blend- leaning more in the direction of the warmer European solution.  Showers and thunderstorms are likely Thursday into Friday.

Upcoming 7-Day Precipitation Forecast:

  • Snowfall: 0.00″
  • Rainfall: 1.50″ – 2.00″

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/rain-chances-go-up-late/

Turning Warmer, But Unsettled…

Highlights:

  • Another cold morning
  • Turning unsettled
  • Warmer heading into early next week

Warmer, But Rain Chances Return…Before we enjoy the warmer temperatures to close the week, we have one more very cold morning to go through.  Many central Indiana neighborhoods are once again starting the day in the mid to upper 20s.  Though we’ll add more clouds to our Thursday forecast (compared to all of that Wednesday sunshine), it won’t prevent temperatures from moderating close to seasonal levels later this afternoon.

Though we’ll mention a quick passing shower chance Friday, most of the day should be dry and the bigger story will actually be temperatures that approach 70° by the afternoon with periods of sunshine.  Sounds like a recipe for getting out of the office early and finding a local patio, huh?!

Unfortunately, shower chances will be on the uptick this weekend and while it won’t rain the entire time, really any time of the weekend is fair game for the potential of a shower or perhaps a thunderstorm.  As of now, best shower coverage should be Sunday.

Shower and thunderstorms chances continue early next week (Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning) before drier air and slightly cooler temperatures return the middle of next week.

Upcoming 7-Day Precipitation Forecast:

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

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/turning-warmer-but-unsettled/

Wednesday Morning Rambles…

1.)  Temperatures this morning are running much colder than this time 24 hours ago.  Many central IN neighborhoods are waking up to temperatures in the middle to upper 20s.

2.)  Speaking of cold, to-date, March is running slightly colder than average (by 1.1°).  Note the spring and summer-like warmth across the SW.  “Pieces” of that warmth will eject northeast in modified fashion late March into April.

3.)  High pressure will supply a dry, but cold Wednesday.  Highs will run close to 10° below average (lower 40s), but at least we’ll enjoy the sun!

4.)  Temperatures will begin to warm as we progress through the latter portions of the week.  We’ll be near seasonal norms Thursday (low 50s), and above normal Friday into the weekend (mid-upper 60s).  With the warmer air, rain and storm chances will also be on the increase.  As of now, we target best rain chances late Saturday into Sunday.  A couple thunderstorms are also possible.  Rainfall totals of 0.50″-1.00″ seem like a good bet with locally heavier amounts.

5.)  This is just the beginning of an active stretch of weather to wrap up the month of March.  (3) additional storms will have to be monitored next week.  Accordingly, precipitation anomalies will run above normal.

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/wednesday-morning-rambles-7/