Yellow area: Slight risk of severe thunderstorms between 9 a.m. today (June 17) and 8 a.m. tomorrow. Green area: General, non-severe thunderstorms. Highlighted counties: County warning area of the northern Indiana NWS office. Source: Day 1 Convective Outlook issued at 8:44 a.m.

Extreme northern Indiana and nearby areas have a slight risk of severe weather between 9 a.m. today and 8 a.m. tomorrow, according to the “Day 1 Convective Outlook” that the National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued at 8:44 a.m. today.

The slight risk area covers essentially the northern three quarters of the county warning area (CWA) of the northern Indiana NWS office, or all of IMO SKYWARN quadrants one and four and the northern parts of quadrants two and three. Quadrant two counties included in the slight risk area today are Whitley, Allen (Ind.), Paulding and Putnam.

The primary threat in the slight risk area is damaging straight-line wind of 58 mph or more. Storms could affect the area as early as late this morning but they’re more likely from this afternoon into this evening.

The SPC will update its day one outlook by 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. today.

Tomorrow

Yellow area: Slight risk of severe thunderstorms between 8 a.m. tomorrow (June 18) and 8 a.m. Thursday. Green area: General, non-severe thunderstorms. Highlighted counties: County warning area of the northern Indiana NWS office. Source: Day 2 Convective Outlook issued at 1:33 a.m.

The entire northern Indiana CWA has a slight risk of severe weather between 8 a.m. tomorrow and 8 a.m. Thursday, according to the “Day 2 Convective Outlook” that the SPC issued at 1:33 a.m. today. Tomorrow’s slight risk area covers most of the northern half of Indiana and large parts of nearby states.

Forecasters expect widespread storms by late afternoon tomorrow from northern Illinois and Indiana into Pennsylvania and southern New York. The primary threat will be damaging straight-line winds, but the atmosphere will be also unstable enough for large hail.

The SPC will update its day two outlook by 1:30 p.m. EDT today. The subsequent update comes as tomorrow’s first day one outlook by 2 a.m. EDT.

Preparation

If you’ll be in the slight risk areas today or tomorrow, plan to have a way to learn of any watches or warnings the NWS might issue, especially if you’ll be involved in outdoor activities, such as sporting events. Also have a plan for seeking safe shelter.

If you’re a SKYWARN storm spotter, be prepared for activation. Check your communications equipment, review reporting criteria, etc.