It is a calm, crisp start in Indianapolis this Monday morning, sitting around 55°F under clear skies. That quiet scene will not stick around for long. Temperatures are expected to surge into the upper 70s before showers and thunderstorms move in this afternoon and again tonight, with some storms strong to severe. South-southeast winds will crank up too, with the strongest cells capable of producing gusts around 30 to 31 mph.
Afternoon Storms And Gusty Winds
Showers could start popping up by midday, but the better shot at thunderstorms comes in the mid-to-late afternoon and evening. Rain chances climb from around noon through about 5 p.m., with storms most likely after 5 p.m., just in time to complicate the drive home.
South-southeast winds of 8 to 16 mph will become noticeably gusty as storms develop. Forecasters say multiple rounds of storms could roll through, and the severe threats include damaging winds, large hail and a localized tornado risk, according to the SPC.
Monday Night Heavy Rain Risk
Storms are likely to become more widespread overnight. Some spots could pick up 1 to 2 inches of rain through early Tuesday, and brief heavy downpours may trigger localized flooding on low-lying streets. Keep an eye on watches and warnings from the NWS Indianapolis, and do not drive through standing water, no matter how shallow it looks.
Tuesday And The Week Ahead
Once the front moves through, Tuesday should calm down with partly sunny skies, a high near 72°F and lighter west-southwest winds. Cooler air settles in by midweek, with highs in the 60s and overnight lows in the 40s. Guidance hints that some locations could dip into the 30s this weekend, so gardeners may want to be ready to cover tender plants.
Plan Ahead
If you have outdoor plans this afternoon or evening, consider moving them earlier or indoors, and expect slower travel for the evening commute. Secure patio furniture and anything else that could turn into a backyard projectile, charge your phones in case of power outages, and pay attention to local alerts. If a warning is issued, head to an interior room away from windows and stay put until the storm threat has passed.
