FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — WTWO Chief Meteorologist Jesse Walker is alerting the public in the Wabash Valley to be weather aware this weekend as we could see some severe weather arriving in the area.
Walker took to Facebook to break down the models as we approach the weekend. Walker noted that there’s a slight risk of severe weather Friday evening, but really encouraged everyone to be ‘Weather Aware’ on Sunday.
Friday evening
Friday the area is under a “slight” risk of severe weather. The storms are expected to arrive around 7 p.m. Friday. Walker said he’s leaning toward the belief there’s more of a risk of high winds and some hail rather than tornados.
“A small risk of tornados, we can’t rule it out, but it’s likely mostly wind and some hail,” Walker said. “I don’t think this is major, but there could be some stronger winds with these storms as they come through the area.”
Walker added it seems this round of storms would likely be in the dying off stage when they arrive to the Wabash Valley. A second round of storms could arrive later in the evening closer to 11 p.m.
“It does not look like the Friday event will be a big deal, but it is something that we will watch of course,” Walker said.
Sunday
*Image gallery shows from left to right, tornado risk map, hail risk map, and wind risk map for Sunday afternoon
When looking at Sunday, Walker said many models are eerily reminiscent of the models in 2004 on Race Day.
That day the race actually ended while under a tornado warning, and the day saw the most rain for a race day with almost 4 inches falling in Indianapolis.
“Will it be that way this year? I can’t say that, but it IS a similar set-up,” Walker said.
Walker pointed to a warm front that will be lifting into the area in the morning with a cold front behind a low pressure system following. By Monday the cold front will have moved through leaving a breezy memorial day with possible morning showers, but the severe weather will have moved out of the area.
Sunday at 1 p.m. shows plenty of heat in the atmosphere with temperatures in the mid to upper 80s. When looking at dewpoints, numbers above 60 are sufficient to produce severe weather, and our forecast looks to show dewpoints in the 70s.
While there could be some storms in the morning Walker said the timeframe he and the weather team will be paying the closest attention to is the afternoon into the evening hours on Sunday. Walker pointed to one model that showed a bullseye over our area in terms of potential storm energy at 1 p.m.
“So wind, hail, and potentially some tornadoes near the Ohio valley, its not for sure it will happen, I’m just throwing it out there that we’re looking at that,” Walker said. “Severe weather risk for Sunday/Sunday night. Has a hatch line, which means a greater risk for more significant severe weather. It couldn’t be more bulls-eyed over our area. Now this could change, there’s a lot of variables, but we’ve seen some consistency in the models that Sunday is the time period to watch.”
Walker finished the video just asking that everyone be prepared and aware of the weather and shifting forecasts on Sunday.
“My point is this, I want everyone to be weather aware this Sunday, a little bit Friday, but mainly Sunday. Anytime from the morning, especially the afternoon, and evening, and of course I’ll have more updates for you, but we have to keep an eye on Sunday.”
