FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – Last night we ended up issuing a First Alert Weather Day for Thursday evening through Friday morning due to data consistently pointing to two risks: potentially high wind gusts followed by cratering temperatures that will result in slick spots. That forecast remains on track!
Thursday will start breezy with scattered showers. Highs are expected to rise to around 50º by midday, which is also when the highest wind gusts are expected to be felt. 40-55 mph gusts are possible area wide from around noon to 5 pm as the front approaches, then passes. In its wake it will remain breezy, but the risk for ~50 mph gusts will largely be over.
However, as the front passes through, rain is expected to increase as temperatures plummet. We’ll go from around 50º midday to the 30s shortly after sunset, transitioning rain to wet snow, followed by flurries overnight into Friday morning. In fact, temperatures will bottom out in the teens by the Friday morning commute! Such a dramatic turnaround will likely result in what is called a “flash freeze,” where wet areas on roads (especially bridges and overpasses) freeze in a matter of hours. Highs midday Friday will only rise into the mid 20s…