Fort Wayne, Ind. – Windows can stay open across much of northern Indiana tonight as the coolest air of the week settles into the region. Clear skies, light winds and high pressure will allow temperatures to fall into the low 50s by daybreak Thursday, offering a refreshing break from the recent stretch of heat and humidity.
According to the National Weather Service in Northern Indiana, most communities will wake up with lows in the lower 50s Thursday morning, while a few low-lying rural locations have a 20% to 35% chance of dipping into the upper 40s. Fort Wayne and South Bend are expected to remain slightly warmer, with overnight lows around 52 degrees.
The greatest chance of temperatures below 50 degrees extends across portions of northwest and west-central Indiana, with isolated pockets carrying more than a 20% chance of reaching the upper 40s before sunrise. Elsewhere across northeast Indiana and southern Michigan, the probability of falling below 50 degrees remains much lower.
Despite the unusual chill compared to recent days, the National Weather Service says no daily temperature records are expected to be challenged. For July 23, the record low is 46 degrees in Fort Wayne, set in 1904, and 45 degrees in South Bend, set in 1947.
The comfortable conditions will be short-lived as temperatures gradually rebound heading into the weekend. Residents planning early morning walks, runs or commutes may want a light jacket, especially in rural areas where temperatures will be coolest before sunrise. More typical midsummer warmth is expected to return after this brief cooldown.
