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Forecast Discussion for Indianapolis, IN
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595 FXUS63 KIND 151940 AFDIND Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Indianapolis IN 340 PM EDT Sat Aug 15 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Strong to severe storms with damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding remain a significant threat through the weekend - Heat index values in excess of 100 possible today and Sunday in southern portions of central Indiana - Dry and milder weather early in the work week - Additional storms possible Wednesday && .DISCUSSION (This evening through Saturday)... Issued at 330 PM EDT Sat Aug 15 2026 Through 7PM: Convection across the area has decreased significantly over the course of the morning, with only a few isolated showers remaining early this afternoon. Breaks in the cloudcover are evident on visible satellite, which will allow for better destabilization of the airmass as we head into the peak of daytime heating. Convective inhibition has settled in across roughly the central third of the state due to the extensive cold pool formed by this morning`s activity. We will continue to see little to no precipitation for the remainder of the afternoon. Cloud breaks, a lull in precipitation, and SSW flow will allow afternoon high temperatures to reach the low 80s in the north and low 90s in the south. Heat Index values will approach and could exceed 100 in the southern portion of the area where precipitation and cloud cover has been more minimal, and a Heat Advisory is in effect for this region through tomorrow afternoon. Flash Flood warnings currently in effect across central Indiana will be coming to an end as the precipitation has ended for the time being. They will be transitioned to areal Flood Warnings to reflect the lingering flood threat brought on by the several-days long stretch of rain the area has seen this week. A Flood Watch is still in effect through Sunday morning (at this time - future evaluations may necessitate its extension) from Vigo/Clay/Owen/Decatur counties and north. 7PM to Midnight: A warm front draped across the southern portion of the CWA is expected to lift northward tonight, bringing a more unstable airmass back into the area. Initially, this front is not expected to trigger much precipitation. Most CAMs keep any development during this time period north/east of the IND CWA (NE IN/NW OH) where more robust shortwave energy and upper-level support will be moving through. The most likely area to see isolated shower/storm activity would be the N/NErn border (Carroll-Howard-Delaware-Randolph area). Midnight through Sunday morning: Unfortunately, the heavy rain threat continues Sunday morning, as a low-level jet begins to ramp up across central Missouri and Illinois and push into the west once again. The warm front that moves north into the area Saturday night precedes a low that will be pushed in from the west Sunday, bringing yet another round of lift through an extremely unstable and incredibly moist warm sector. More widespread rain looks to start moving in to the northwestern portion of the area after midnight. Sunday and Sunday Night: Despite precipitation activity throughout the morning, instability is expected to soar into the afternoon hours, and sufficient bulk shear 30+ kts may allow for a few supercells. The primary convective hazard with this activity would be damaging winds with any line segments that may form as progressive outflow boundaries collide and roll through the volatile environment. However, flooding remains the biggest concern. This system should be decently progressive, but it will track directly over the same areas already experiencing saturated soils. It will take very little to result in more flooding Sunday afternoon. Rain comes to an end Sunday evening. The warm sector keeps things nice and toasty, with high temperatures Sunday consistent with Saturday along with Heat Index values near and exceeding 100 in the south once again. Monday/Tuesday: Rejoice! Surface and mid-level ridging will keep the shortwave energy at bay for a day or two and turn off the atmospheric hose. Temperatures also drop back closer to normal, with highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s. Clouds will clear out and we will enjoy a couple days of sunshine, as well as a light north wind. Wednesday/Thursday: Savor the dry time while you can, as upper-level northwest flow strikes again on Wednesday. Long term models show many pockets of shortwave energy preceding a deeper wave that sweeps across the Plains later in the day. The SPC has not indicated a severe risk this far in advance due to the low level of predictability at such a lead time, however it is safe to say that a flooding risk will definitely return as there will not be enough dry time to counteract the extended period of rainfall we have seen this week. Friday and Beyond: Long term models are not indicating much of a change from this troughing pattern through the weekend, though some weak surface high pressure and perhaps brief mid-level inverted ridging may be enough to interrupt the rain chances for at least the end of the weekend headed into next week. As mentioned, the primary threat with any activity for the immediate forecast period will be flooding with additional rainfall. && .AVIATION (18Z TAF Issuance)... Issued at 131 PM EDT Sat Aug 15 2026 Things have quieted down across the region after morning showers and storms. Will start the sites out VFR with the exception of KLAF that will still have to deal with an hour or two of IFR ceilings before scattering out by 3 or 4 PM EDT. From the expect VFR ceilings to prevail through this TAF cycle. A remnant disturbance left over from morning storms will make surface winds quite variable and tricky, but a generally light S to SW wind should prevail most of the time. The overnight period should be quiet outside of some potential MVFR fog at KLAF. Otherwise, look for calm to light and variable winds along with variable mid and upper clouds. Sunday morning will bring another round of scattered shower and storm potential, especially for KIND/KLAF. Will include Prob30 of TSRA at the northern two sites, and just -SHRA at KHUF/KBMG. && .IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Sunday morning for INZ021-028>031-035>049- 051>057-065. Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT Sunday for INZ060>063-067>071. && $$ AVIATION...BJS (WFO LMK) DISCUSSION...Nelson/WFO SGF |
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