Get ready for the year’s first heat wave. The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures above 90 degrees next week for much of Indiana, with heat indices climbing near 100.
When will the heat wave arrive?
Temperatures will approach 90 over the weekend and are expected to climb into the 90s next week, but will be interspersed with rain and thunderstorms, said Casey Crosbie, meteorologist with the NWS in Indianapolis.
How much rain will we get?
The agency expects widespread precipitation in Indiana on Monday and Tuesday, with about 1 or 2 inches of rain. Crosbie said the NWS at this point does not expect sustained strong winds or tornadoes.
Is there flooding risk?
Crosbie said there’s only a slim flooding risk because it’s been dry for almost 10 days, which means river levels have dropped and the ground has dried. Some areas could see minor flooding, but it’s too soon to say where.
What’s causing the storms?
A weather system is moving to the area from the Oklahoma/Texas area early next week.
Will cooler temperatures return yet in June?
Temperatures will fall a bit, Crosbie said, but Hoosiers probably won’t see any nights where temperatures dip into the upper 40s any time soon. He said he expects night time lows to stay above the mid-50s, even after the heat wave ends.
Take precautions
Crosbie said the year’s first heat wave tends to catch some people off guard, and he advised that people remember to not leave pets and children in cars.
National agencies also advise that people hydrate often and spend time in cooled areas, especially if they’re engaging in outdoor exercise.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 700 people die annually from extreme heat in the U.S., with older adults, young children and people with chronic medical conditions at highest risk.
Tips to lower your energy bill
Heat usually also means higher energy usage and higher monthly bills. Duke Energy has released some tips to lower your bill:
Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Heat wave to hit much of Indiana next week, with heat index near 100
Reporting by Boris Ladwig, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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By Boris Ladwig, The Herald-Times | USA TODAY Network
