A heat wave is set to grip Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio this holiday weekend, with temperatures feeling as high as 100°F by Saturday and Sunday. Scattered thunderstorms are also expected to bring brief wind gusts and heavy rain, especially across northern Indiana and southeast Michigan, adding to the weather challenges.
Heat Advisory and Thunderstorm Forecast
The National Weather Service has issued an alert as hot and muggy conditions settle over the region. On Friday, afternoon highs will reach the upper 80s across cities like Fort Wayne, Elkhart, Toledo, and Kalamazoo, with humidity making it feel closer to the mid-90s.
By Saturday, the real-feel temperatures will soar to 95–100°F in cities including Chicago, South Bend, and Findlay. The combination of high temperatures and high humidity levels will make for a very uncomfortable weekend.
Storm Threat and Flooding Concerns
Pop-up storms are expected to develop throughout the afternoon and evening on Friday, particularly in northern Indiana, southeast Michigan, and northeast Illinois.
While severe weather is not expected, isolated downpours may lead to ponding on roads, making travel hazardous in some areas. More organized storms are expected to roll in on Saturday night, potentially bringing gusty winds and localized flooding to the region.
Weather Safety Tips
With the heat index nearing 100°F and the chance of storms, residents are urged to:
Limit outdoor activity during peak heat hours, especially from late morning to late afternoon.
Stay hydrated and wear loose, light clothing to avoid heat-related illnesses.
Check on vulnerable neighbors, including the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, to ensure they’re staying cool.
Be mindful of power usage as air conditioning demand will likely surge, which could lead to outages.
What to Expect
Cities like Fort Wayne, Elkhart, and Kalamazoo will feel the heat with temperatures pushing into the upper 80s, while South Bend, Chicago, and Findlay will experience even higher heat indices, reaching 95–100°F.
The storm threat will pick up again Saturday night and could extend into the early part of next week, potentially triggering watches or warnings as conditions evolve.
Indiana residents should prepare for a hot and muggy holiday weekend, with high heat indices and scattered storms expected to bring brief periods of heavy rain and gusty winds. Stay informed and take precautions to keep safe in the extreme weather.
