textproduct: Indianapolis

KEY MESSAGES

- Flood Watch in effect through 8AM Thursday across the northern half of central IN with localized flash flooding possible

- Scattered to numerous showers and storms are expected this afternoon into tonight, isolated severe storms are possible

- Generally drier late this week through early next week, but there is a chance for showers and storms late Friday into Saturday

DISCUSSION (This evening through Wednesday)

Issued at 332 PM EDT Wed Aug 19 2026

As of this afternoon, scattered thunderstorms have popped up across north-central Indiana. There is a marginal severe threat this afternoon through the evening with isolated damaging winds possible and some hail as well. With how saturated the ground is, trees could more easily be knocked over.

Flooding continues to be the main threat for the forecast area unfortunately. Some of these afternoon storms are already producing rain rate of over 2 in/hr, across northern portion of the forecast area. A flood watch is in effect through the morning. Rivers and creeks are likely to rise again from this rain. Where exact impacts occur will depend on which river basin the highest amounts of rainfall fall. Models have been largely highlighting that some of these highest amounts will fall over the White River basin, which could lead to river points along the White within Indianapolis to return to action stage by the weekend and can't rule out a chance of brief return to Minor flooding too.

Rivers remain high across the area, continue avoiding flood waters and stay out of rivers.

Behind the wave, northwest flow will become more dominate aloft as upper high pressure builds over the desert SW and upper troughing builds to the NE of the forecast area. Meanwhile at the surface, weak high pressure will generally be in the region leading to a mostly dry rest of the forecast period outside of periodic chances for showers and storms. Saturday seems to be the next best chance of precipitation but again, those are still low chances. Temperatures throughout the forecast period will see highs in the upper 70s to low/mid 80s and lows from the upper 50s to mid 60s.

AVIATION (18Z TAF Issuance)

Issued at 114 PM EDT Wed Aug 19 2026

Impacts:

- Scattered to numerous showers/storms this afternoon/tonight

- Fog/low ceilings likely late tonight into Thursday morning

Discussion:

Convection is developing across the area and all sites will likely see impacts at some point this afternoon into tonight. Will carry a combination of PROB30 and TEMPO groups at all sites. Fluctuating restrictions will be likely during convective impacts at all sites.

Late tonight as the cold front passes through the area, low clouds and fog are likely to develop, with IFR or worse conditions possible.

Winds will be southwesterly this afternoon, becoming light and variable to calm overnight, then northerly late in the period.

IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Flood Watch through Thursday morning for INZ021-028>031-035>049- 054>057.