Indianapolis is starting Monday on a gentle note, with mostly clear skies and mild air at Indianapolis International Airport early this morning. Temperatures hovered near 54°F around 5:35 a.m. EDT with a light southwest breeze, but the calm start is not sticking around. Readings are expected to climb into the mid-70s before scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms roll in this afternoon, especially across the southern side of the metro. Later in the day, southwest winds could ramp up, with gusts in stronger storms topping 25 to 30 mph, so anyone with outdoor plans may want to keep one eye on the sky.
Afternoon Storms, Gusty Winds
The National Weather Service is calling for a high near 76°F, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Southwest winds should run 7 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Most of the action is expected from this afternoon into early evening and will be hit-or-miss, with southern parts of central Indiana having the best odds of getting wet. Any storm could briefly knock down visibility and dump a quick burst of heavy rain, though total rainfall today is expected to stay on the lighter side for most spots, according to the National Weather Service.
Tuesday Cooler And Rainy
A cold front moves in Tuesday and flips the script, turning the day noticeably cooler and wetter. Showers and thunderstorms are likely, with highs only near 63°F. New rainfall between one half and three quarters of an inch is possible Tuesday, with locally higher totals overnight that could raise some eyebrows given the recent April soaking. For background on those earlier rounds of soaking rain, you can revisit the late-month setup.
Commute And Precautions
Drivers should plan on slick roads this afternoon and Tuesday, leaving extra stopping distance and watching for ponding in low-lying spots south of I-70. If you have outdoor plans either this afternoon or Tuesday, consider moving them indoors or pushing them back - gusty winds could make umbrellas more of a liability than a help, and brief downpours may cut visibility in a hurry. For the latest watches, warnings and any tweaks to the timing, monitor the National Weather Service.
