Indianapolis, IN – Residents across much of central and southern Indiana should prepare for strong, gusty winds developing later this morning and continuing through Thursday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, wind gusts of up to 40 mph are expected across a large portion of the state, with isolated gusts reaching 45 mph, particularly north of Interstate 70. The strongest winds are forecast from late morning through the afternoon hours.
Counties impacted include Marion, Hamilton, Boone, Hendricks, Tippecanoe, Madison, Delaware, Vigo, Monroe, Bartholomew, Johnson, Shelby, and dozens of others stretching from north-central Indiana to the southern counties near Bloomington, Columbus, and Seymour.
Forecasters say the gusty conditions could blow around unsecured outdoor items, including trash cans, holiday decorations, and lightweight furniture. Drivers of high-profile vehicles, such as trucks, vans, and SUVs, may experience difficult handling, especially on open highways and east–west roadways.
While widespread power outages are not expected, isolated outages could occur if strong gusts bring down tree limbs or weakened power lines, particularly in areas with saturated ground conditions.
Residents are advised to secure loose outdoor objects, use caution while driving, and remain alert for sudden strong gusts. Wind speeds are expected to gradually diminish later Thursday evening as the system moves out of the region.
No precipitation or winter weather is associated with this statement, but officials stress that wind impacts alone can still create hazardous conditions.
