Indianapolis is warming up after two days of freeze warnings and three days in a row of below normal temperatures. That’s a big deal this year, considering we’ve yet to string together more than four below-average days.
What’s warming us? A huge storm is spinning up in the western Plains and it will shift our winds more southerly by Friday evening. That storm has already prompted the Storm Prediction Center to put the heart of Tornado Alley on notice for Saturday afternoon and evening. There’s a “high” risk of severe weather in parts of Kansas and Oklahoma, where a tornado outbreak is likely, thanks to a surplus of warm and moist Gulf Of Mexico air, and a big-time 100mph jet stream above.
The threat of severe weather is likely to stay west of Indiana at least until Monday. Rain remains, however, in the weekend forecast. Up to an inch is possible in northern Indiana, where precipitation persists longest into Saturday afternoon.
The Indianapolis Indians Play Ball at home for the first time this season against the Toldeo Mud Hens. For the sixth consecutive season they are guaranteeing a game-time temperature of at least 60 degrees. If the contest starts at 7:15 with a temperature BELOW 60, everyone in attendance will receive a FREE ticket to another April home game of their choice.
VICTORY FIELD FORECAST
5pm 65 and mostly sunny
8pm 62 and partly cloudy
11pm 57 and a chance of showers
Wind Southeast/south 5-10mph
Scattered showers and storms will increase overnight into Saturday morning and midday with the arrival of a surface warm front. You might get some breaks later in the afternoon, and temperatures are likely to jump quickly after the rain. It will easily be warmer than last weekend’s mid-60s.
Much of Sunday should be just fine, with the bulk of showers and storms staying in the northern quarter of the state. Expect better chances again later Sunday night and Monday, which is The Day The Cold Front Arrives. (Title of my first novel?)
More storms in the Texas Panhandle today, where US 287 is finally open again. Motorists were trapped in muddy drifts that were waist-to-shoulder high from a severe storm. Some cars were buried in hail, with people trapped inside for awhile. The storm left so much hail in its wake that workers had to use snow plows to clear the piles from the road. Weather Service meteorologists characterized the hail as really small, but there was lots of it, accumulating 2-4 feet deep.
Meanwhile, where there’s smoke…there’s a reminder of a lightning strike on April 5th that eventually destroyed at least 35,000 acres of the Osceola Forest in northeastern Florida. The smoke from the fire has dangerously reduced visibility along I-10 and I-75. I’ve attached a satellite shot of the fire site, and the smoke plume being driven by the wind. Unfortunately, it will be dry and breezy in the area again today.
Indiana’s Unique Weatherman is sponsored in part by Unique Home Solutions, and Dr. Nancy Halsema at Carmel West Dentistry. My weather on the Star@Sunrise is sponsored by Kroger. Subscribe to Paul Poteet Dot Com by clicking here.
POLLEN COUNT:
High again today, but dipping a little to Medium/High Saturday, with the prospect of rain. High again Sunday.
INDY ALMANAC:
The average high today is 63 and the average low is 42. The records are 86 and 18. Sunrise time is 7:10 and sunset is 8:22.
DETAILED INDIANAPOLIS FORECAST:
Today: Mostly to partly sunny. High 66.
Tonight: Chance of showers and storms after sunset. Better chances after midnight. Low 51.
Saturday: Showers and storms likely, especially in the morning and midday. Breezy. High 73.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy with a slight shower or storm chance. Low 60.
Sunday: Partly cloudy, breezy, with a slight shower or storm chance. High 78.
Sunday night: Partly cloudy with a better shower or storm chance. Low 63.
Monday: Good chance of showers and storms. High 73.
Monday Night: Chance of showers. Low 50.
Tuesday: Partly sunny. Slight shower chances. High 60.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 42.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High 58.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear. Low 43.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High 64.
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