Indianapolis woke up to a bright sky and a bite in the air Sunday, with the KIND station clocking about 37°F at 5:35 a.m. local time. A Frost Advisory remains in effect until 9 a.m. Sunday, April 19, and forecasters say a Freeze Warning is lined up for late Sunday night into Monday, April 20 for parts of central Indiana. Afternoon highs should reach near 60°F, but brisk west winds will make it feel cooler and could gust into the 30 to 40 mph range.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Through the day, winds will swing around to the west and ramp up, with sustained speeds of 5 to 15 mph and gusts as high as 30 to 40 mph this afternoon. Any isolated shower that pops up could briefly kick those gusts even higher. Homeowners might want to secure lightweight patio furniture, and drivers should watch for gusty crosswinds on the evening commute. According to NWS Indianapolis, mixing in the atmosphere this afternoon will help drag stronger winds down to the surface.
Frost And Freeze Timeline
Clear overnight skies and light winds set the stage for widespread frost early Sunday, with low temperatures slipping into the mid-30s. A Freeze Warning is in effect from about 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Monday, April 20 for portions of the region. Temperatures at or below 32°F could kill tender plants and damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. The developing chill was flagged earlier this month, and you can check out this earlier freeze alert for tips on protecting garden beds and pipes.
What Gardeners And Commuters Should Do
Gardeners should bring potted plants indoors or cover garden beds with blankets, row covers or cardboard, and insulate any exposed pipes to reduce the risk of freeze damage. Drivers can expect gusty crosswinds this afternoon and a breezy evening commute, so it is a good time to secure outdoor displays and other loose items before heading out. If you have overnight plans Sunday, move sensitive plants or pipes indoors before the coldest hours hit.
Week Ahead
The chill looks brief. A warming trend kicks in Tuesday, April 21, with highs near 76°F, then climbing into the low 80s by Thursday, April 23. Better chances for showers and thunderstorms arrive around Friday, April 24, with showers and storms likely and a higher chance of wet weather lingering into Saturday. Anyone with outdoor plans later in the week should keep an eye on updated forecasts.
