Indy woke up to air that felt more like a damp towel than a breeze this morning, with temperatures hovering around 70°F and patchy fog hanging in the low spots. The rest of the day is expected to stay mostly dry and partly sunny, with a high near 87°F and a light north wind. Humidity will stay elevated through the evening, so it will feel warmer than the thermometer says. The afternoon drive should be fine, but keeping an umbrella within reach for a stray shower is not a bad idea.
According to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, strong to severe thunderstorms and a flash flooding threat are possible late Thursday into Thursday night as a front taps into abnormally high atmospheric moisture. Forecasters say thunderstorms could produce very efficient rainfall, briefly exceeding 2 inches per hour in spots, which would push the risk for rapid, localized flooding.
In terms of timing, storms are expected to fire up by late Thursday afternoon, with the main heavy hit after 7 p.m. Thursday and continuing into early Friday. The official forecast keeps an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday night, with initial rainfall totals commonly in the half to three quarters of an inch range. However, repeated rounds of storms through the weekend could stack up pockets of 2-4 inches where storms keep training over the same areas.
What To Expect
Drivers should be ready for quick ponding on streets and flooding in low-lying neighborhoods, along with gusty downburst winds and isolated hail in the stronger storms. Brief power flickers and traffic slowdowns are likely during the heaviest downpours, and crews may have to respond to scattered road closures and flooded ramps.
When To Watch
The main windows to keep an eye on run from late Thursday afternoon through Thursday night and into Friday, with the headline period after 7 p.m. Thursday when storms could be at their worst. Check updated forecasts before heading out for evening plans and pull up radar if you will be on the road.
How To Prepare
Move valuables out of basements if you live in a flood-prone area, steer clear of driving through standing water, and secure outdoor furniture ahead of the gusty storms. Keep phones charged and follow local alerts. For a look at the broader wet pattern through the weekend, check the earlier coverage.
