Fort Wayne residents, don’t let the warm breeze fool you — a spring storm system is brewing, and it’s headed straight for northern Indiana. By Friday evening, the city could be in the crosshairs of gusty winds, intense showers, and thunderstorms capable of disrupting weekend plans and knocking out power.
Friday Forecast: From Warm to Wild
Friday will start off deceptively pleasant, with partly sunny skies and an unseasonably warm high of 77°F. But by late afternoon, the atmosphere will begin to churn. That’s when gusty winds — peaking around 35 mph — and scattered thunderstorms are expected to move into the area.
These storms could bring:
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Strong wind gusts capable of snapping small tree limbs and scattering loose outdoor items.
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Heavy downpours that could lead to minor street flooding.
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A slight chance of small hail as the storm system intensifies overnight.
While no tornado risk has been officially declared as of now, storm strength can change quickly, especially with warmer temperatures fueling the system.
The Weekend: Cooler, Cloudier, and Wet
Once the storms pass, the weekend weather will take on a much gloomier tone:
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Saturday (April 19): Expect a cool-down with highs around 62°F. Overcast skies will dominate, and intermittent light rain will likely linger throughout the day.
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Sunday (April 20): Even cooler air moves in, with a high of just 56°F. Breezy conditions return, and periods of steady rain could keep things soggy all day.
What You Should Do:
This isn’t a blockbuster storm system — but it doesn’t have to be to cause problems. Here’s how to prep:
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Secure patio furniture, garbage bins, or anything that could blow away in the 35 mph gusts.
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Double-check outdoor events or travel plans for Friday evening — conditions could get rough quickly.
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Keep phones charged in case of any localized outages or alerts.
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Stay tuned to trusted weather updates through Friday and into the weekend. Storm tracks can shift fast.
Fort Wayne is in for a classic Midwest spring shakeup — warm, breezy calm by day and the chance of storms by night. If you’ve got Friday evening plans, keep an umbrella — and maybe a backup plan — close by.
