We'll see several days in the 80s with limited chances of showers.
INDIANAPOLIS — As advertised, high temperatures reached the 80s across central Indiana for the first time in nine days. In fact, the 83 degree high in Indianapolis was its warmest since Sept. 6 (86 degrees). While not record-breaking (96 degrees, 2010), highs did eclipse the daily average (77 degrees) by some 6 degrees. That's closer to mid/early August vs. normal for mid-September.
Courtesy of a blanket of mid to high level clouds, lows tonight won't be as cool as the past several mornings with morning temps around Indy closer to 60 degrees than 50.
Though dewpoints in the 50s are more humid compared to 24 hours, the air near the surface remains relatively dry and will aid in "eating" away shower potential of an approaching disturbance.
While it won't completely keep the radar rain-free Thursday, the increased cloud cover will have more bark than bite.
With that said, spotty sprinkles and/or showers will occasionally be around tomorrow, especially in far western Indiana and west of I-65. But any rain will likely be light and not widespread.
Unfortunately, our drought continues to worsen with rain deficits of 3.5 inches to over 4 inches in some places since the middle of August. We expect the latest Drought Monitor Index Map issued on Thursday will definitely reflect this and see an expansion of moderate to severe drought conditions in central Indiana.
Dry conditions preceding fall foliage can mute and delay color, so right now, less that's less than ideal, potentially exacerbating our prospects of vibrant color is the unseasonably warm air that's in place now and forecast to linger into this weekend. Stay tuned for updates.
August-like air mass rolls into Saturday and Sunday with highs in the mid-80s as central Indiana becomes sandwiched between a coastal storm system in the mid-Atlantic (that could have weather implications on the Colts-Ravens game) and a frontal system to our west. The latter may be eventually become a shower-maker into the middle of next week.
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