Fort Wayne, Indiana – Northern Indiana residents should secure outdoor items and prepare before Wednesday afternoon, when severe thunderstorms could produce damaging winds, large hail and a few tornadoes between 3 and 11 p.m. EDT.
According to the National Weather Service Northern Indiana office, much of the region faces a Level 2 of 5 severe weather risk Wednesday afternoon and evening. Confidence in severe weather is medium, with the strongest tornado potential focused across northern Indiana and far southern Lower Michigan.
Fort Wayne, South Bend, Elkhart, Goshen and Warsaw are among communities within the broader severe risk area. The NWS indicates tornadoes and hail of 1 inch or larger are most likely within individual supercells. Damaging wind gusts could reach roughly 60 to 70 mph.
Travel could deteriorate quickly on Interstate 69, Interstate 80/90 and U.S. 30 as thunderstorms cross the region. Residents should have multiple ways to receive warnings, charge phones before 3 p.m. and know where to reach an interior room on the lowest floor if a tornado warning is issued.
Wednesday highs will reach 80 to 84 degrees after a breezy morning. The primary severe storm window remains 3-11 p.m., and localized warnings could follow as storms develop
