South Bend, Indiana – Strong to severe storms could rapidly develop late Thursday afternoon, with the greatest risk arriving between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. and targeting northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.
According to the National Weather Service in Northern Indiana, damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes are the primary concerns as a warm, unstable air mass fuels storm development. Areas along and west of I-69, including South Bend, Elkhart, and Michigan City, face the highest risk during the evening hours.
Wind gusts outside of storms could already reach 30 to 40 mph during the day Thursday, creating difficult travel for high-profile vehicles even before storms arrive. Once storms develop, localized wind damage and brief tornadoes may occur quickly.
Cities including Fort Wayne, Warsaw, and Benton Harbor may also see heavy rainfall, raising concerns for localized flooding, especially in areas that received rain earlier this week.
Storms may continue into Thursday night, with additional rounds possible Friday and Saturday, extending the period of unsettled weather.
Residents are urged to stay weather-aware, ensure alerts are enabled on mobile devices, and be ready to take shelter quickly if warnings are issued.
