(This story has been updated with new information.)
Storms that are moving through the area Wednesday could bring heavy rain, damaging winds and even the possibility of tornadoes.
The National Weather Service is warning residents to pay attention to weather alerts as the storm moves through from about 2 to 9 p.m. June 18.
And at 1 p.m. June 18, NWS issued a tornado watch until 8 p.m. for Northern Indiana, including but not limited to St. Joseph, Elkhart, LaPorte and Marshall counties. Under a tornado watch, NWS says, weather conditions could lead to the formation of severe storms and tornadoes. When a tornado warning has been issued, NWS says, a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar and there is imminent danger to life and property.
But after that threat passes, the NWS says, the first heat wave of the summer could also make it dangerous for some ― especially those who have to work outside, don’t have a way to cool off in the heat or have underlying health conditions.
According to the current forecast, it looks as if June 19 and June 20 will be the best days to get any work done outside. The high on June 20 is expected to reach about 85 with a heat index to match.
But Saturday, June 21 through Tuesday, June 24, temperatures are expected break through into the low- to mid-90s, producing heat indexes that could easily exceed 100 degrees, according to Matti Johnson, a meteorologist with the NWS office in Syracuse, Ind.
The heat index is a measurement that combines the temperature with the humidity in the air, generally resulting in increased discomfort.
“This kind of heat isn’t unprecedented at the end of June, but it’s far more likely starting in mid-July,” Johnson said, pointing out that the high heat also increases the likelihood of ozone action alert days.
There’s a chance the heat wave could break by mid-week, Johnson said, pointing out that the southerly winds that are bringing the heat to the region are also helping to keep the smoke from the Canadian wildfires out of the region.
Email Tribune staff writer Ed Semmler at esemmler@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Tornado watch issued ahead of storms May 18, followed by heat wave in South Bend area
Reporting by Ed Semmler, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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