01.10.21 Weather Bulletin: Moderating Ahead Of A Late Week Cold Front…

Updated: 01.10.21 @ 11:28a

Moderating Trends Gets Underway Monday…The 2nd half of the weekend will feature more of what we’ve grown so used to as of late: overcast conditions. With the thick cloud deck in place, afternoon highs won’t budge much. As we flip the page to the new work week, a milder westerly and southwesterly air flow will turn gusty at times (especially by midweek), but this will also help boost temperatures to levels around 10° above normal. We should also see a little more of that vitamin D through midweek.

We’re still targeting a cold front to blow through our neck of the woods Friday. This, coupled with just enough upper level energy, will likely be enough to ignite a brief period of scattered snow shower action Friday PM. Colder air will settle into the area next weekend…

01.09.21 Weather Bulletin: Unusually Quiet Times Continue…

Updated 01.09.21 @ 8:18a

Fighting For That Sun To Return…Skies cleared overnight across central Indiana and this allowed temperatures to dip into the middle 20s (still about 5° above normal for most). Unfortunately, clouds are once again increasing this morning and will remain with us through the day. We’ll still hold out hope for a few breaks in the cloud cover from time to time through the weekend, but we can expect mostly cloudy conditions to persist.

Looking ahead, there’s really no reason to waste a lot of pixels on the forecast as quiet times remain. Our best opportunity to see more significant sunshine will likely come Tuesday. We’ll then eye a cold front that will pass through central Indiana as we close the work week. Gusty westerly to southwesterly winds can be expected ahead of this front Thursday. This will be a moisture starved system, but we could squeeze out a few scattered snow showers Friday.

Enjoy your Saturday. We’ll be back later this afternoon with a fresh Client Video update.

VIDEO: Weak Weekend System; Push Of Arctic Air For Christmas…

A weak system will scoot through the region this weekend and then eyes turn to the coldest air so far this season by Christmas Eve…

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Client Brief: “System” Snow Transitions To Lake-Effect…

Type: Impactful Wintry Weather

What: Accumulating Snow/ Wind

When: Today through Tuesday Morning

Temperatures: Upper 20s to lower 30s

Wind: NW 15-20 MPH; Gusting to 35 MPH

Blowing/ Drifting: Moderate, especially with late afternoon-evening lake-effect snow band.

Pavement Impacts: Salting required; plowing required within lake-effect snow band.

Summary: We’ll undergo a transition from “system” snow (mostly light) this morning into early afternoon to a more localized, but robust lake-effect snow event late afternoon and this evening. At least for central portions of the state, this is the better opportunity for accumulating snow. As temperatures continue to fall and the wind direction becomes better aligned, a band of lake effect snow is expected to develop initially across northwestern Indiana late morning. It’s this band of snow that should continue to get better organized and heavier as we move into late afternoon and the evening hours and be driven well inland. Eventually, this lake snow band should reach areas as far south as Indianapolis (and surrounding ‘burbs) by late afternoon, potentially including the 5 o’clock rush for parts of the city. Snowfall intensity within this band is expected to be heavy enough to whiten roadways and create slick spots. For most this will only last an hour or two before the band pivots east and impacts east-central Indiana for a longer period of time into the overnight and early Tuesday morning. If you find yourself under this lake effect snow band, a quick 1″ to 2″ can be expected

Confidence: High

Next Update: Tonight (video package)

Client Brief: Sunday Night – Monday System…

Type: Impactful Wintry Weather

What: Accumulating Snow/ Wind

When: Sunday night and Monday

Temperatures: Low-Mid 30s

Wind: N 15-20 MPH; Gusting to 35 MPH

Blowing Drifting: Minimal to Moderate in lake enhanced zone, as well as east-central IN

Pavement Impacts: Salting required; plowing likely required in lake enhanced zone, as well as east-central IN

Summary: While not nearly as robust as what guidance earlier this week printed out, the season’s first widespread wintry event looms Sunday night into Monday. This is a byproduct of phasing between the southern and northern jet stream (initially set off by the evolving strongly positive PNA), but there are important differences in the speed of the initial vort. max being a bit more progressive that will keep this from bombing out like earlier guidance showed. Consequently, this will result in a much further east system (may still not have seen that eastward trend finish). While our forecast specifically focuses on Indiana, if you have travel plans east of here into Ohio early next week, please pay special attention to the local National Weather Service products as impacts will be greater from heavy snow and strong winds.

Locally, we anticipate precipitation overspreading central Indiana (from southwest to northeast) around, or just after, midnight Sunday night. Initially, this should be in the form of a cold rain before precipitation transitions to wet snow prior to sunrise. Moderate snow should be falling across east-central Indiana from the mid morning hours Monday into early afternoon. Additionally, by this point, a more organized band of lake-effect snow should be firing up off Lake Michigan. This is a bit of a wild card as a combination of ingredients favor a pretty robust lake snow band making it further south than typical. As the wind direction veers towards more of a northwesterly flow late Monday afternoon and evening, it’s possible this lake effect snow band pivots into the Indy metro and surrounding ‘burbs. We’ll keep a close eye on this as time draws closer. Within this snow band, heavier accumulations are possible. Snow showers will continue into Tuesday morning before diminishing.

Confidence: Medium

Next Update: Tonight (video package, including longer range update).