Indiana averages 22 tornadoes a year, but this has been a very active year for severe weather. We’ve already had 58 tornadoes this year, including one earlier this week in Jackson County. Severe weather returns to Central Indiana on Saturday with damaging winds and flash flooding the primary concerns. There is also a low risk for an isolated tornado. Most of Saturday morning will be dry, but a long line of showers and storms will start to cross state lines around 1 p.m. tomorrow. Guidance suggests that the line will enter Central Indiana around 3 p.m. and will sweep across the state. Scattered storms will continue through Sunday.
Be prepared for several rounds of showers and thunderstorms through early next week. Rain totals will range between 1” to 2″ over the next four days. Since June first, we are 2.14″ below average, so we could use the rain. The daily chance for rain will keep us out of the extreme heat and prevent temperatures from reaching 90°.
A strong ridge of high pressure will take hold next week and bring a change in our weather pattern. Indianapolis has had a high temperature of 90° or higher for 14 of the past 28 days, and 90° heat and then big-time heat returns by midweek. Expect highs in the low 90s with the heat index near 100° for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
The UV Index peaked in the high range on Friday.
This has been a dry summer so far, but wet weekends have been common this year.
Strong to severe storms are likely Saturday afternoon and evening.
Damaging straight-line winds will be the primary threat Saturday afternoon and evening.
Scattered storms are likely Saturday and Sunday.
Expect temperatures in the 80s with scattered storms for the next four days.
90° heat will return to central Indiana next week…