Indianapolis, IN – Severe thunderstorms are expected to develop within hours Thursday evening, threatening damaging winds and large hail during peak evening travel.
According to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, storms will form along a cold front after 7 p.m. and continue through about 1 a.m. Friday. Central Indiana remains under a level 3 risk, indicating scattered severe storms with the potential for significant impacts.
The highest threat zone includes Indianapolis, Kokomo, Muncie, and Lafayette, where storms may produce wind gusts up to 75 mph and hail large enough to damage vehicles and roofs. Areas along and north of I-70 face the greatest threat, while Bloomington and southern Indiana remain in a lower risk zone.
Localized flooding is also possible where heavy rain falls in a short period, especially on urban roads and low-lying areas. A few tornadoes cannot be ruled out as storms initially develop.
Drivers on I-65, I-69, and I-70 should prepare for sudden visibility drops and hazardous conditions Thursday night. Residents are urged to secure outdoor items and ensure alerts are enabled before storms begin.
Storms will move quickly east overnight, and additional warnings are likely as conditions intensify Thursday evening.
