Indianapolis is getting a solid preview of summer today. After a clear and cool start around 54°F at 5:40 a.m. local time, temperatures are set to jump into the lower 80s this afternoon as strong south winds crank up across the city.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
The high is expected to reach about 82°F with south winds of 8 to 18 mph and gusts topping out near 31 mph this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service Indianapolis. Drier air mixing down could drop relative humidity into the 30 to 40 percent range for a few hours across parts of the metro, which brings a brief uptick in fire danger. It is a good day to secure lawn furniture and skip any open burning.
Forecasters say the strongest gusts are most likely in the northern suburbs and along the Wabash Valley, per the National Weather Service Indianapolis.
Tonight And Monday
Scattered showers are expected to move in late tonight, with the greatest coverage roughly between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., followed by a chance of showers and thunderstorms into Monday morning. Overnight lows will stay mild in the mid 60s, and any storms tonight should drop only a few tenths of an inch of rain where they pass.
Low level wind shear developing this evening may make for some bumpy rides in and out of Indianapolis International Airport, so travelers with late departures should keep an eye on their airline for updates.
Midweek Severe Risk
The weather pattern turns more unsettled Tuesday into Wednesday as a frontal boundary sags south and a stronger upper level wave approaches, setting the stage for strong to severe thunderstorms. All modes of severe weather would be in play
during the Tuesday night to Wednesday window, with damaging wind gusts and locally heavy rainfall possible, according to the National Weather Service Indianapolis. If you have outdoor plans in that stretch, it is wise to have an indoor backup.
What To Watch
An earlier look at this weekend warm up was published April 11. For more background, see our from frost to flip flops coverage. We will post updates if any watches or warnings are issued, so check local forecasts and official channels before heading out.
