90° heat, burn bans and an Air Quality Alert for Wednesday in central Indiana

September has been a mild month. We’ve had sunny skies for the first 16 days of the month and temperatures have been running 2.0° below average. An Air Quality Alert has been issued for Wednesday for most of the state. Ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exposure.

Fall starts in six days and for the last week of summer expect a warming trend. High pressure and its associated upper-level ridge will keep most of the country, including Indiana, quiet for several days. Forecast high temperatures this week will be 10-15° above average. September, on average, sees three days of 90°+ temperatures and we’ll likely reach that mark Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Dewpoint temperatures this week will be in the 50s, so this be more of a dry heat.

Half way through the month we’ve only had .73″ of rain, .97″ below average. Not only has September been a dry month, but for the past five consecutive months, rainfall has been below average. Since May 1st, our rainfall deficit is approaching four and a half inches below average. Most of central Indiana is Abnormally Dry or in a Moderate Drought on the drought monitor. The combination of the dry grounds and dry air is prompting several counties to issue countywide burn bans and more Indiana counties will continue to be added.

Expect dry weather through Friday with a chance for rain Saturday. A low-pressure system will move in for the weekend and bring a daily chance for rain through early next week. This weather system will also cool our temperatures down to seasonal levels.

The UV Index peaked in the high range Tuesday.

September is off to a sunny, mild start.

Drought has spread across the state and county-wide burn bans are in effect.

An Air Quality Alert is in effect for Wednesday.

Summer will end with a streak of 90° days.

September has started dry, but much-needed rain is on the way.