• A line of strong storms is expected to move through Indiana on Sunday afternoon and evening, bringing heavy rain, hail, and a risk of tornadoes.
• The main threat is damaging straight-line winds, potentially exceeding 70 mph, along with hail up to 2 inches in diameter.
• Rainfall from the storms, combined with potential precipitation later in the week, increases the risk of flooding in low-lying areas and along riverbanks.

A line of storms capable of dropping heavy rain, hail and tornadoes is moving through Indiana Sunday evening, prompting warnings for Hoosiers to keep an eye on the skies.

Here’s the latest in Central Indiana weather news. IndyStar will continue to monitor the weather throughout Sunday night and update this story with significant impacts.

Severe thunderstorm warning in Indianapolis, Lawrence as worst of storm moves south

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 7:45 p.m. for the south side of Indianapolis and Hancock County suburbs to the east. Affected areas include Southport, Beech Grove, Lawrence and Cumberland.

Damaging winds pose the worst threat farther south, near Columbus, where isolated tornadoes are possible by 8 p.m., according to NWS.

– Jordan Smith

More than 4,000 without power in Marion, Hamilton counties

Power outages were affecting more than 4,000 customers in Hamilton and Marion counties by 7 p.m. Sunday as severe storms rumbled through the Indianapolis area.

Nearly 3,900 of those affected live in Carmel along the U.S. Highway 31 corridor near Main and 136th streets, according to Duke Energy’s outage map. The worst outage is in the Rohrer Road area, where 3,572 customers don’t have power.

Marion County’s provider, AES, reported that 287 customers were without power as of 7:15 p.m.

To the south, Duke Energy noted 1,268 customers without power in Johnson County’s Smith Valley community.

– Jordan Smith

Steady rain, thunder in northern Indianapolis metro area ahead of 6 p.m.

Steady rain is falling in the northern Indianapolis metro area at 5:53 p.m., with thunder and lightning accompanying the precipitation.

National Weather Service radar shows a string of heavy storms approaching the metro area from the southwest, prompting a string of evolving severe thunderstorm warnings.

– Eric Larsen

Thunderstorms expected to reach Indianapolis between 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Sunday’s severe weather is expected to reach the Indianapolis metro area between 6:30-7:30 p.m. according to a post on X (Twitter) by the National Weather Service in Indianapolis.

The line of storms is moving northeast at 40-50 mph, according to the NWS, bringing with it wind gusts as high as 70 mph, large hail and isolated tornadoes.

By 5 p.m. Sunday, the storm had already prompted severe thunderstorm warnings northwest of the Indianapolis metro area, with gusty, rainy conditions over Lafayette, Lebanon and Whitestown. The earlier line of storms dropped penny-sized hail in some areas.

1 p.m. update: Tornado watch called for central, southwest Indiana

Around 1 p.m. the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for central and southwest Indiana until 8 p.m. EDT Sunday, signaling there’s a growing chance the storms could spawn a few tornadoes, hail up to 2 inches in diameter and wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour.

The tornado watch includes most Central Indiana counties, including Marion, Hamilton, Boone and Johnson counties. The threat also affects the west-central and southwestern parts of the state, including areas around Bloomington, Terre Haute, Vincennes and Evansville.

Rainfall from the anticipated storm, combined with potential precipitation from storms later in the week, will also elevate the risk of flooding in low-lying areas and along riverbanks.

Here’s when and what to expect severe weather in Central Indiana as all of the state is under a hazardous weather outlook Sunday.

When are thunderstorms expected Sunday in Central Indiana ?

Scattered showers are expected before 2 p.m., with the likelihood of showers and thunderstorms increasing from 2-5 p.m., according to NWS. Showers and thunderstorms are expected before 2 a.m. Monday before the chance of additional precipitation decreases into Monday morning.

What is the threat of wind damage around Indianapolis?

As of Sunday afternoon the NWS is forecasting wind gusts up to 70 mph Sunday in Central Indiana. That’s far higher than the 10-14 mph winds with 28 mph gusts forecast Sunday morning. Forecasts are likely to change depending on the storm’s track.

What about Sunday’s temperature in Indianapolis?

The daytime high is expected to reach 73 degrees Fahrenheit Sunday before the storm drops temperatures toward an overnight low of 43. Expect a cool Monday after the storm, with the daytime high forecast at 45 and an overnight low at or below freezing heading into Tuesday.

How much rain is Central Indiana expected to see Sunday?

The NWS expects the chance of precipitation to grow from 60% in the daytime to 80% Sunday night. New rainfall of a half an inch to an inch is possible into Monday.

This story will be updated with additional information as it is made available Sunday.

Eric Larsen is IndyStar executive editor. Reach him at [email protected].