SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- It’s no surprise that Michiana is in a rainfall surplus so far this spring. Rain and storms have been top of mind since March 1.
In April alone, South Bend received just over six inches of rainfall, when the average was just about three inches. Rainfall for March and April combined is just short of a foot.
Excess rainfall and warmer temperatures go hand and hand. Overall temperatures this spring have been seven degrees above average. Warmer air holds more moisture; this, in turn, leads to strong storms that produce heavy downpours. Several of these even turned severe this spring.
The NWS has issued 129 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for the Northern Indiana area.
For an “average” spring, the NWS usually issues around 21 from January to the end of April. The last time we saw excessive warnings was back in 2006, with 53.
Most, if not, all of the storm events were linked to days where Michiana reached abnormally warm highs. That’s not a coincidence. Warm and humid conditions destabilize the atmosphere, causing strong to severe storms if all the ingredients are present.
As warmer springs become more common in Michiana, we can expect rainier and stormier seasons in the future.