South Bend, Ind. – Storms capable of damaging winds and heavy rainfall are expected to sweep across northern Indiana Saturday afternoon, with the most intense activity likely between 2 and 10 p.m. EDT. Some areas could also face heat indices near 100 degrees, making outdoor conditions potentially hazardous.
According to the National Weather Service Northern Indiana, confidence is increasing in severe thunderstorms developing Saturday, especially along and east of I-69. The greatest threats include gusts over 60 mph, localized flash flooding, and frequent lightning. Rain rates may exceed one inch per hour at times, particularly in areas such as Fort Wayne, Defiance, and Warsaw.
Cities like South Bend, Elkhart, and La Porte sit in a marginal risk zone, while higher storm intensity is expected toward the east and southeast. Outdoor events, including festivals and youth sports, should have shelter plans in place, especially during the high-risk afternoon window. The agency urges residents to monitor alerts and remain weather-aware, with multiple ways to receive warnings…