Severe Thunderstorms are possible across East Central Indiana late Friday evening and into the early morning hours on Saturday.
Damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and a brief spin-up tornado or two are all possible. While we continue to enjoy spring warmth and sunny skies, warm conditions will set the stage for severe weather across our region.
We remain sunny, dry, and extremely warm through Friday afternoon, with winds from the south and southwest increasing to nearly 25mph by the middle of the afternoon. Even outside of storms, winds will be gusting up to 55mph in some areas. As a result, the National Weather Service in Indianapolis has much of the region currently under a Wind Advisory from 5pm Friday to 4pm Saturday.
Strong southerly winds will allow moisture to surge northward, creating ample fuel for severe weather later in the evening on Friday. Right now, timing currently brings the main line of storms through East Central Indiana between midnight and 5am, in the form of a large squall line. Our biggest threat is damaging winds, some of which could exceed 65 mph, along with heavy rainfall. Despite the tornado risk being low, a brief spin-up tornado or two is possible within the strongest storms.
Currently, the Storm Prediction Center has the western half of our region highlighted in a SLIGHT (2/5) risk for severe weather, while the eastern portion of the viewing area is in a MARGINAL (1/5) risk. Now is the time to prepare a severe weather plan, including safe spaces, a medical kit, and hard-soled shoes.
If you live in a mobile home, make preparations to move elsewhere in case of inclement weather. Mobile homes are not safe in high winds or tornadoes. Due to the threat being primarily after dark, make sure to have multiple ways to receive weather warnings and have EAS alerts enabled on your mobile device. If you are traveling anywhere late Friday or Saturday, remain weather aware!
- Chief Weather Forecaster Noah Gordon
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