Indianapolis started Tuesday on the chilly side in the mid-40s, but the city is on a fast track to the mid-70s by afternoon as a strong southerly flow kicks in. Skies stay mostly sunny, yet the real story is the gusty southwest winds that could topple unsecured patio furniture and make biking or driving high-profile vehicles a bit of an adventure.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
South to southwest winds will ramp up through the day, with sustained speeds around 6 to 21 mph and gusts commonly in the 30 to 35 mph range. A few spots could briefly flirt with gusts near 40 mph. According to the NWS Indianapolis, mixing in the lower atmosphere will help drag stronger winds down to the surface and drop humidity into the 20 to 30 percent range this afternoon. Fuels are still moist enough that officials are not expecting a widespread fire danger, but it is a good day to tie down anything lightweight outside and think twice before planning tented gatherings.
Tonight Into Wednesday
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to arrive after about 10 p.m. and linger into Wednesday morning, with rain chances hovering near 50 percent and new totals generally between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. A few stronger cells could toss out brief strong gusts or small hail, but forecasters expect the activity to stay scattered rather than turn into a wall-to-wall event. For a bit more context on this warmup pattern, see Indy shivers at sunrise for background.
Travel And Outdoor Plans
The afternoon breeze may rattle commutes, so high-profile vehicles and cyclists should use extra caution and drivers should secure any loose cargo. Late-night storms could slick up roads and knock down visibility. Pilots may deal with marginal low-level wind shear early and gusty winds later in the day, so air travelers should check with their airline before heading to Indianapolis International Airport, per the NWS Indianapolis. If you have outdoor plans for Wednesday evening, keep an indoor backup in your pocket just in case.
Looking Ahead
Thursday is shaping up as a brief breather, with sunshine returning and highs near 80. Rain chances then climb again Friday into Saturday, with the best shot at more widespread showers and thunderstorms late in the week. Temperatures are expected to stay above normal into early next week, so anyone with outdoor events on the calendar should keep an eye on updates.
