Staff report
Indianapolis, IN – June 29, 2023
The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for central Indiana, effective today and tonight. The region is expected to experience multiple rounds of thunderstorms, which could potentially lead to severe weather conditions. Damaging wind gusts, large hail, and even a few tornadoes are possible. Furthermore, the repeated occurrence of thunderstorms may result in flash flooding.
The hazardous weather outlook extends through the coming days, from Friday to Wednesday. Thunderstorms will remain possible during this period, with a higher risk of severe thunderstorms on Friday through Saturday night. Damaging winds and large hail are anticipated to be the primary threats, but the possibility of isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Residents should also be prepared for potential flooding due to the repetitive nature of the storms.
Given the severity of the weather conditions, spotters are likely to be activated today and possibly throughout Saturday. The National Weather Service urges residents to stay updated with the latest weather information and follow any advisories or warnings issued by local authorities.
In addition to the hazardous weather conditions, an Air Quality Alert has been issued for multiple counties in Indiana. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has declared an Air Action Day, in effect until 1 AM EDT Friday. The alert specifically pertains to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels, which are expected to be in the Orange or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range.
During this period, individuals, especially active children and adults and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma, are advised to limit prolonged outdoor exposure. The public is encouraged to take several recommended actions, including carpooling or using public transportation, staying indoors whenever possible, monitoring indoor air quality, avoiding drive-through services, combining errands into one trip, refraining from refueling vehicles or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 PM, turning off engines when idling for more than 30 seconds, and conserving energy.
For further information on air quality conditions, residents can visit the IDEM Smog page at https://www.apps.idem.in.gov/smogwatch.
