Category: Windy

Jan 09

Busy Weather Week; Ice Storm Potential Friday Into The Weekend…

screen-shot-2017-01-09-at-7-26-23-amHighlights:

  • Late night light freezing rain develops
  • Milder and wet through mid week
  • Ice storm potential on the rise late week

Feeling Downright Balmy Out…Temperatures this morning (writing this at 7a) are running close to 20 degrees above where we were this exact time Sunday.  20 degrees has never felt so warm!  🙂  This moderating trend will continue into mid week, including temperatures that approach 60 Thursday.  That said, we have a mini “speed bump” to go over tonight and that’s the opportunity for light freezing rain late tonight into the wee morning hours Tuesday.  Temperatures should go above freezing just before the morning rush Tuesday, but plan to leave additional time as slick spots may remain.  Once we clear the “speed bump,” it’s off to the races in the temperature department through mid week: around 50 Tuesday afternoon and around 60 by Thursday (that’s a late night high Wednesday in the upper 50s).  Periods of showers will come with the milder air, centered on Tuesday and late Wednesday into Thursday.

Unfortunately, the milder times don’t last long and we still forecast “trouble” late in the week.  The set-up remains unchanged as a big, sprawling arctic high pushes into Wisconsin Friday.  This will help “shove” the arctic front through Indiana before stalling along the Ohio River Friday into Saturday.  As this is happening, ripples of energy will help ignite periods of precipitation Friday into the weekend.  With cold air locked in at the surface, we expect the potential of a rather prolonged period of freezing rain developing late Friday and continuing into the weekend.  We still have time for things to change, but from this distance, the predominant precipitation type, unfortunately, appears to be freezing rain.  Stay tuned as this could be a high impact event.

Upcoming 7-Day Precipitation Forecast:

  • Snowfall:  0.00″
  • Rainfall:  1.50″ – 2.25″

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/busy-weather-week-ice-storm-potential-friday-into-the-weekend/

Jan 08

Changeable Weather; Late Week Ice Threat…

screen-shot-2017-01-08-at-10-01-49-amHighlights:

  • Another bitter day
  • Moderating temperatures ahead
  • Late week ice threat looms

Bitter Cold Gives Way To Moderating Temperatures…The first half of the forecast period is easy, but we caution big time headaches loom and details are far from etched in stone once to the second half of this forecast period.

First thing’s first and that’s today.  Look for a continuation of bitterly cold air, but slow moderation will be noted this afternoon: Not AS bitter and lighter winds.  We may even crack the 20 degree mark!  I know, break out the swim suits, right?!  This moderating trend is setting the tone for a more significant jump in the mercury later in the week.  Before a “taste of spring” arrives, we’ll have to deal with a brief opportunity for freezing drizzle Monday evening.  Temperatures will zoom to around 50 Tuesday and around 60 for mid week.  Showers will be with us off and on- focused on Tuesday and Thursday for most widespread coverage.

Then comes the “fun.”  A strong, sprawling arctic high will push south into the northern Plains Friday.  At the same time, “resistance” from the southeast ridge (that can be thanked for the spring-like feel here Wednesday and Thursday) will result in the arctic front only slowly being able to push south.  Ripples of energy, or waves of low pressure, will move along the arctic boundary and result in periods of widespread precipitation Friday into the weekend.  As the cold, dense arctic air oozes south, we have concern for icing- freezing rain and sleet Friday into Saturday.  Depending on how things evolve, this may continue into Sunday, as well.  If you have travel plans this weekend, please keep a close eye on the developments in the forecast from Friday on.  Stay tuned.

Upcoming 7-Day Precipitation Forecast:

Snowfall: 1.00″

Rainfall: 1.50″ – 2.00″

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/changeable-weather-late-week-ice-threat/

Jan 03

Bitterly Cold Air Returns…

screen-shot-2017-01-03-at-4-31-46-pmHighlights:

  • Turning much colder tonight
  • Light snow Thursday
  • Bitterly cold, but dry weekend

The Ice Box Returns…An arctic cold front will sweep through the state tonight and help usher in a drastically colder feel as we progress through the middle and latter parts of the week.  Left over rain showers this evening may end as a couple of snow flurries before precipitation comes to an end.  Winds will really increase tonight behind the cold front, gusting between 30 and 40 MPH.  This will lead to single digit wind chill values out the door Wednesday morning.

Our next weather disturbance arrives Thursday morning and will help spread light snow across the southern half of the state.  Snow will continue into the early afternoon before departing off to the east.  Light accumulations (around 1″) will be possible, especially from Indianapolis and points south.  We’ll keep an eye on fresh data coming into the forecast office tonight and update if need be.

Otherwise, the big story going into the weekend will be the return of bitterly cold air.  In fact, overnight lows will drop into the single digits Saturday and Sunday mornings.  Dress warmly if you have plans to be outside for any length of time.

Our air flow will back around to the southwest early next week and temperatures will begin to moderate.  Moisture may make it to the surface to create a little spotty freezing drizzle Monday evening before temperatures sky-rocket to around 50 Tuesday as showers return.

Upcoming 7-Day Precipitation Forecast:

  • Snowfall: 1.00″
  • Rainfall:  0.25″ – 0.50″

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/bitterly-cold-air-returns/

Dec 30

Busy 7-Day To Usher In 2017…

screen-shot-2016-12-30-at-7-18-25-pmHighlights:

  • Raw New Year’s Eve
  • Briefly milder Monday with showers
  • Snow prospects mid week

Busy Times…Clouds will increase late tonight and give way to showers during the daytime New Year’s Eve.  Most of this shower activity will be light, but you’ll want to carry the rain gear with you as you leave for New Year’s Eve parties and celebrations throughout central IN.  Once to the nighttime hours, showers should diminish and most of the nighttime should feature rain-free conditions, along with colder temperatures.

New Year’s Day may start out with some sunshine, but clouds will increase through the day and drizzle or light rain is possible by evening.  Low pressure will track northeast from the central Plains into the upper Mid West Monday.  This will place Indiana in a relatively warm southwest flow.  Periods of showers can be expected through the day, along with breezy conditions.  An accompanying cold front will sweep through the state early Tuesday morning and shut rain chances off, shift winds to the northwest, and lead to falling temperatures.

Wednesday will be a day in between storm systems.  Cold high pressure will settle into the Ohio Valley and supply unseasonably chilly temperatures, but with sunshine.

Our next storm system will approach Thursday.  Clouds will increase Wednesday night and give way to an expanding snow shield during the day Thursday.  We still have a few days to look at things, but from this distance, the potential is present for an impactful wintry event across a widespread portion of the Ohio Valley, including central Indiana.  Stay tuned.  Fresh arctic air will move in to put a close on yet another short work week.

Upcoming 7-Day Precipitation Forecast:

Snowfall: 1″ – 3″

Rainfall:  0.75″ – 1.25″

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/busy-7-day-to-usher-in-2017/

Dec 29

Intense Snow Squalls By Evening…

One cold front moved through central Indiana last night with rain showers and a notable wind shift.  A secondary cold front will sweep through the region later this afternoon.  Not only will this deliver reinforcing cold air to wrap up the short work week, but with enough upper level energy and instability, it’ll also serve to ignite some intense snow squalls by evening.  This won’t be a “uniform” snow event, but where the squalls develop, expect rapid reduction in visibility (brief white-out conditions), and a quick coating to 1″ of snow.  Winds will also gust to 40 MPH by evening and overnight.

Here’s an idea of what the radar may look like later this evening:

4p forecast radar

4p forecast radar

6p forecast radar

6p forecast radar

10p forecast radar

10p forecast radar

If you have travel plans this evening into tonight, please allow extra time to reach your destination as these intense snow squalls lead to brief white-outs and quickly create slick travel.  Scattered snow showers will continue into Friday morning, especially across the northern and eastern sections of the state.  Friday will be a cold day as highs top out around 30.

More with an updated 7-day forecast later today!

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/intense-snow-squalls-by-evening/