Warmest March!  It will be official at midnight…2012 the warmest March on record!  Records date back to 1871 for Indy.

Above Average Streak Rolls On: We may have had a cooler than average high of only 54 Saturday, but since the low was warmer than average, the day as a whole goes down as an above average day.  That makes 22 straight if you’re counting, and you know I am!

Severe Risk: A severe t-storm watch was posted ‘til 5am for parts of Eastern Iowa into Illinois.  If those storms hold together as they push into Indiana, it’s possible a watch will be issued for parts of Northern and Central Indiana.  For now, areas from Indy points east are highlighted in a slight risk of severe for Sunday.  Primary threat: Hail.

Record Heat: After a warm front moves through Sunday (and after the storms blow through), we’ll watch temps soar into the 70s to near 80.  I think we’ll get close to a record Sunday (record is 82 set in 2010, forecasting 79), and we could break a record Monday (record is 81 set in 2010, forecasting 82).

More Storms: Storms possible late Monday through early Wednesday, and possibly Thursday to our south.  A fairly active weather week ahead.

Enjoy the Rest of Your Weekend,
-Chikage
Twitter Facebook

Get ready for a big temperature swing across Central Indiana this weekend!

Highs will reach the low 60s today with patchy fog diminishing as we head into mid morning.  A mix of sun and clouds will give way to more sunshine this afternoon as highs reach 60 degrees.  Temps will likely be warmer south of I-70, where less cloud cover is expected this morning into the heating of the day.

Tonight, temps drop to the upper 40s with partly cloudy skies.

Sunday, highs will soar close to 80!  Sunday’s temperature record is 82 set back in 2010.  There’s a 30% chance for an afternoon shower or thunderstorm.  An isolated thunderstorm may contain hail.  There will be plenty of dry time, and not everyone will see rain.

Monday brings more summer like heat with highs in the low 80s.  Monday’s record high temp is 81 set back in 2010.  Again, we’ll be watching the radar for scattered showers or storms.  A washout is not expected.

Cooler temps start to settle in starting Tuesday as we drop to the 70s, and by Wednesday we’re back in the 60s.

Stormy Friday: There were numerous severe thunderstorm warnings issued and many reports of hail and some high winds with the storms that swept through Central Indiana this afternoon and evening.  The highest wind gust report was 60 mph near Danville, while the largest hail report (golf-ball sized) was also near Danville.  Here’s a map of storm reports:

And here’s a listing of storm reports:

Weekend Temperature Swings: A cold front moving through will bring cooler drier air to start your weekend with highs in the 60s and mostly sunny skies.  Sunday, we turn the tide again with a passing shower or t-storm as a warm front moves through – and once it does, we could surge into the low 80s!  We’ll be close to a record high!

Record March: Today’s high of 78 was our 14th day of 70+ heat (the old record was 9 days set in 2007 and 2 other years).  The high (20 degrees above normal) also continued to solidify our hold on the warmest March on record for Indy.  Tomorrow is just a formality before we get that official designation.

More Records Possible to start April: The record high Sunday is 82 set in 2012.  I’m forecasting 81.   The record high Monday is 81 set in 2012.  I’m forecasting 82.

Storm Chances: Return late Monday through Tuesday with maybe a shower early Wednesday…ushering in a 3-day stretch of cooler highs in the 60s.

Have a great weekend,
-Chikage
Twitter Facebook

We’re waking up to scattered showers and thunderstorms across Central Indiana.  We could see some dry time by mid-morning, but by early afternoon, strong to severe thunderstorms will likely fire up across the state.

Highs will reach the low 70s today.  We’ll be watching the radar closely as all of Central Indiana is under a slight risk for severe storms.  Large hail and damaging winds are the greatest threat, however, an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.  Storms will begin in northwest Indiana this afternoon, and push to the southeast throughout the afternoon and evening.  The time frame of storms starting looks to be around 2pm, and we could see them last through 10pm.   Again, the storms will initiate in our northwest viewing area then move to the south/southeast.  The Indy metro area could see storms move through between 3pm and 7pm. 

Tonight, we dry out and temps drop to the mid 40s.

Saturday looks great with highs in the low to mid 60s.

Sunday, there’s a 20% chance for an isolated shower or storm, but as of right now the day won’t be a washout with highs around 80.

Early next week scattered showers and storms pop back into the forecast starting Monday, as highs hit the low 80s!  We’ll eventually cool down as we head into the end of next week.

Check out the 7 day forecast… above average temps roll on!

Storm Timeline:  Scattered showers move by tonight, there could be a few storms to our north in the morning,  but the real concern will be in the afternoon with strong to severe storms developing in a line in Northwest Indiana and marching southeastward.  Timing on getting into the Indy Metro – as early as 2-3pm to as late as 7-8pm.

Slight Risk of Severe Storms: Covers the entire WTHR-TV viewing area Friday afternoon.  Biggest risks are damaging winds and large hail.

Warmer Friday Ahead: We could surge into the 70s (the warmer it gets, the more unstable it may become)

Weekend Change:  Now looking dry and cooler Saturday, with morning showers (maybe an isolated storm) and near-record warmth possible Sunday!

No April Foolin’: First two days of April will be close to record highs!    Record on Sunday 82 set in 2010.  Forecast: 81.  Record on Monday 81 set in 2010.  Forecast: 80.

Take Care,
-Chikage
Twitter Facebook

Today will be the 20th day in a row of above average temps!  If you love the warmth, we’ve got more coming in the 7 day forecast, but we’re also tracking chances for strong to severe thunderstorms.

Highs will reach the mid 60s with mostly sunny skies today.

Tonight, clouds increase and showers and thunderstorms develop across the state into Friday.  Friday, thunderstorms are likely, especially the later we go into the day.  Some storms could be strong to severe with damaging wind and hail the biggest threat.  Muncie, Indianapolis and Bloomington to points east are under a slight risk for severe storms Friday.  Here’s a look at the risk area, the spots shaded in yellow are under a slight risk for severe storms.  Up to 1/2″ of rain is possible with some heavy downpours at times.

After the storms move out late Friday, a wonderful weekend is setting up!  Highs Saturday will reach the upper 60s, and by Sunday we’re in the upper 70s with sunshine.

More showers and storms move in Monday, and Tuesday as temps bob up and down between the 60s and 70s.

The 7 day forecast is looking pretty nice!

The Warmth: Today was our 13^th day of the month with a high of 70+ (we hit 75).  The normal is 57!  We continue to build a formidable record…the old record of 9 days in the 70s in March happened in 2007, 1945, and 1907.  This month will go down as the warmest March in recorded history for Indianapolis, with records dating back to 1871!

The Change: Thursday will be a “cooler” day (but still above the average high of 57).  And despite the cool-down, it will be our 20^th Straight Above Average day with highs in the low 60s.

Storm Chances:  Storms may develop Late Thursday night into Friday.  Everyone has a shot at rain and non-severe t-storms (possibly up to ½” of rain).  There’s a slight risk for severe Indy points east, though I’m not expecting a widespread outbreak.  Best shot at a couple storms going severe may be Friday afternoon – my hunch is they might form Nashville to Columbus to Greensburg points east.  Those areas will tap the moisture plus see highs into the 70s Friday.

Dry Weekend:  Looks like the system Friday will be out earlier now.  So both Saturday and Sunday are looking dry….by Sunday and Monday we could be nearing 80!

Colder Midweek Next Week: Signs are pointing to a significant cool-down next week late Tuesday through Wednesday…the return of lows in the 30s is one possibility.  And it wouldn’t shock me to see some snow flurries, esp. the Lake Effect variety in Northern Indiana Tuesday night/Wednesday morning….if the trend pans out.

Take Care,
-Chikage
Twitter Facebook

Isolated thunderstorms are possible this morning across Central Indiana, then sunshine returns for the afternoon.  Today is the 19th day in a row with above average temps for Indy, and the 13th day in March with highs that will be above 70!

Highs will reach the mid 70s this afternoon with mostly sunny skies.  Any rain that pops on the radar this morning, will clear out and for the afternoon we’ll be dry with wind gusts up to 30mph.

Tonight, skies remain clear and temps bottom out in the low 40s.

Thursday will be dry, but cool with temps around 60 degrees.

Late Thursday night into Friday we will be watching for another round of showers and thunderstorms.  Some storms may be strong to severe, so we will be watching the forecast closely.

A few storms may linger early Saturday, then we dry out for the second half of the weekend.

Temps remain above average through the entire 7 day forecast!  The average high this time of year is in the mid to upper 50s.