INDIANAPOLIS — Central Indiana is bracing for severe weather as the remnants of unusually warm temperatures give way to potentially destructive storms. A tornado watch remains active for west central Indiana until 4 AM on Saturday, March 15, 2025, with meteorologists warning of strong wind gusts and heavy rainfall.
The National Weather Service is closely monitoring the incoming storms, stating, "These storms have the potential for producing damaging winds, large hail, and possibly tornadoes." The advisory extends across the region with the most intense weather expected to impact communities between midnight and 7 AM on Saturday. The peak of the severe activity is forecast to strike the Evansville area between 11 PM on Friday and 5 AM Saturday.
Friday, March 14, was the warmest March day Indiana has seen in over a decade, with Indianapolis reaching 79 degrees, marking the warmest March temperature since 2012. This pleasantly warm weather will collide with the impending storms, resulting in high instability. The transition from pleasant warmth to severe conditions will be drastic, as storm systems arriving from the west will deliver damaging winds and heavy downpours.
Gusts are projected to peak between 45 and 55 mph, with some locations experiencing higher winds upwards of 70 mph, especially before the storms fully develop. "It's quite windy, and we should expect gusts reaching 75 mph," warned officials from the National Weather Service.
While tornado warnings are particularly prevalent across western Indiana, the entire state is under heightened caution, with damaging winds being the primary threat. A line of storms, already wreaking havoc over Missouri, is advancing eastward and is expected to enter Indiana around 2 AM on Saturday.
Residents should stay alert throughout the night as the storms are likely to intensify. Wind advisories will remain active across the state until 4 PM on Saturday, urging individuals to have safety plans prepared and to stay indoors when possible.
Rainfall totals throughout the area could be considerable. The National Weather Service has issued rainfall predictions of up to 1.5 inches, with southern southeastern Indiana potentially receiving 2 to 3 inches during the overnight hours. With such heavy rainfall and the possibility of flash flooding, residents should use caution, particularly late Saturday.
After the storms dissipate, there is forecast to be several hours of dry weather before another line of storms may develop later today. Judging by weather advisories, the second wave could result in light to moderate rain yet again, leading to possible flooding.
On Saturday, calmer weather is expected after the rains pass, with conditions initially reported as scattered storms and highs reaching around 74 degrees before temperatures drop significantly beginning Sunday. Many areas are bracing for temperatures to plunge, possibly dropping to the upper 40s, moving lower across the state.
This week of erratic weather will certainly take its toll, marking just how quickly and unpredictably temperatures can shift. St. Patrick's Day will promise warmer weather once more, with expectations for temperatures dipping back to near 70 degrees as mid-week approaches.
Overall, officials encourage residents to remain aware and safe during these unpredictable weather patterns, reinforcing the message to keep up with updates from the National Weather Service as conditions evolve.
Meanwhile, power outages have already begun to affect residents, with reports indicating upwards of 27,000 customers without power throughout Indiana
and the numbers may continue to rise as severe storms progress across the state.