textproduct: Indianapolis

KEY MESSAGES

- Above normal temperatures through the weekend, with near record highs on Sunday

- Mostly dry conditions expected into next week, with the possible exception of Sunday evening

FORECAST UPDATE

Issued at 702 PM EDT Thu Mar 19 2026

Just like yesterday, WAA has overperformed allowing temperatures early this evening to stay near 70 for much of the area so bumped up the temps up to match current observations. This may keep overnight lows in the 50s rather than dropping to the upper 40s, but expecting few enough clouds that overnight cooling, as well as mixing, to still keep the 40s possible as morning lows.

SHORT TERM (This evening through Friday)

Issued at 322 PM EDT Thu Mar 19 2026

Quiet and unseasonably warm conditions are expected through the short term.

What limited mid and high cloud are in the area will clear for the most part by this evening, though increasing mid and high level moisture ahead of the next system will allow a return of some cloud cover later tonight.

Weak low pressure will push through the Great Lakes tonight into tomorrow, which will strengthen the surface pressure gradient and thus the low level flow. Strong surface heating will promote a fairly well mixed boundary layer, producing gusty winds during the day on Friday, generally around 25-30 MPH at times.

Lows tonight will be only somewhat below normal highs for the time of year, with highs on Friday likely to push into the 70s across most if not all of the area.

While a cool front will approach late in the day and move through tomorrow evening, high pressure over the Gulf has severely limited moisture return, leaving limited Pacific moisture as the main source, and plentiful low level dry air which should prevent precipitation.

LONG TERM (Friday night through Thursday)

Issued at 322 PM EDT Thu Mar 19 2026

A front will pass through the area early Friday evening, but as previously mentioned, very limited moisture should prevent precipitation and will maintain the dry forecast.

The primary impact will be to keep high temps down just a few degrees on Saturday from Friday's maxes, but still well above normal.

Another front will pass through the area Sunday evening, and this will necessitate some low PoPs during that time frame, though moisture will again be a significant limiting factor, along with a midlevel inversion.

High temperatures may push record values during the day on Sunday, though uncertainty with respect to frontal timing will determine just how close they get. The record high for the date at Indianapolis is 82 in 1907.

The main impact of this second front, however, will be to bring temperatures 20-30 degrees early in the work week, though this will just bring numbers back down to around seasonal normals, and they will fairly steadily recover through the week back to well above normal by mid to late week.

AVIATION (00Z TAF Issuance)

Issued at 806 PM EDT Thu Mar 19 2026

Impacts:

- Gusty winds developing tomorrow

Discussion:

The period will start with some lighter winds and some mid and high cloud are expected through the majority of the period. Winds will generally start off more southerly, though variability can be expected through the early overnight hours. Winds will start to increase by early morning and gradually shift SW to W through the period.

Mid morning on Friday, winds will strengthen and become gusty to around 20-22KT as weak low pressure moves quickly through the Great Lakes and strengthens the surface pressure gradient and strong surface heating deepens the mixed layer.

IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.