The Independence Day holiday in central Indiana will feature a mix of warm temperatures, scattered showers, and thunderstorms, with unsettled weather expected to continue through the weekend and into early next week.
On Independence Day, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the day. Skies will be mostly sunny at times, with a high near 88 degrees. Winds will come from the southwest at 3 to 8 mph. There is a 50 percent chance of precipitation, with new rainfall amounts generally ranging from one-tenth to one-quarter of an inch, although higher totals are possible in thunderstorms.
Forecasters also note that peak heat index values on Saturday are expected to reach up to 105 degrees, adding another layer of heat stress to the holiday weekend. Additional showers and thunderstorms are expected from Saturday into early next week, with a few strong to severe storms possible on Saturday.
Saturday night will bring increasing chances for wet weather, with showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm developing after sunset. Skies will be mostly cloudy, and the low temperature will fall to around 70 degrees. South-southwest winds will remain light at 3 to 5 mph. The chance of precipitation increases to 60 percent, with rainfall amounts generally under one-tenth of an inch, though heavier amounts may occur in storms.
On Sunday, the weather pattern remains active with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, becoming more likely after 2 p.m. Skies will be partly sunny, and temperatures will reach a high near 85 degrees. West-southwest winds will range from 5 to 7 mph. The chance of precipitation remains at 60 percent, with most areas seeing light rainfall, though thunderstorms could produce locally higher amounts.
Sunday night will continue the trend of unsettled weather, with showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 p.m., followed by a chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Skies will stay mostly cloudy, with a low around 66 degrees. Winds will become calm in the evening after initially coming from the west at around 6 mph. The chance of precipitation remains at 60 percent, with generally light rainfall expected but isolated heavier bursts possible in thunderstorms.
Residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware throughout the holiday weekend, as conditions may change quickly with the combination of heat and thunderstorms.