Today starts off cool and mostly clear in Indianapolis, with temperatures around 47°F at Indianapolis International Airport. The dry pavement will not last all that long, though, as light rain and isolated showers are expected to roll in late in the morning. Forecasters are looking for the wettest window between about 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., with the high climbing to around 70°F and south-southeast winds picking up through the afternoon.
Morning Commute
A weakening batch of storms is sliding into central Indiana this morning and should spread light rain across a broad swath of the region. The Indianapolis metro area is most likely to see rain closer to 10:30 a.m., according to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis. The office has bumped late-morning rain chances up to roughly 60% and is calling for south-southeast gusts up to about 18 mph this afternoon. The risk of thunder is low, but damp roads and a few pockets of briefly heavier rain could slow traffic and cut visibility in a few trouble spots.
Weekend Outlook
Saturday, May 16 ushers in a more humid and unsettled pattern, with highs near 80°F and showers and thunderstorms likely at times. Gusts could reach the mid 20s in mph. During the day, rain totals are expected to stay on the lighter side, roughly a tenth to a quarter of an inch, while Saturday night could see heavier amounts of around a quarter to a half inch in any stronger storms. Sunday, May 17 is set to be the warmest stretch, with highs reaching into the mid 80s and mostly sunny afternoons after a small chance for a morning shower. Outdoor plans should stay flexible on Saturday, and it is wise to have a backup plan for events since storms can bubble up quickly.
Watch Ahead For Stronger Storms Early Next Week
Monday, May 18 is forecast to be quite warm, near 88°F, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Forecasters note that the period from Monday night into Tuesday, May 19 carries a higher potential for stronger storms that could produce damaging winds and hail in a few locations. The exact timing of that front is still somewhat uncertain, so it is worth checking for updates and staying ready to move activities indoors if storms approach. A weather preview was published on May 14, and today’s forecast fine-tunes the timing for the Friday commute and bumps up weekend storm chances. You can find that earlier forecast preview here.
