Pattern shift brings rain and storm chances back to Michiana

The heat finally broke on Sunday across Michiana, as strong storms brought much-needed beneficial rainfall.

Before that respite, drought returned to portions of the area, with locations southeast of South Bend categorized as “abnormally dry” in last Thursday’s ‘Drought Monitor.’

However, Sunday’s cold front signaled a pattern change, one that farmers and gardeners across Michiana will likely appreciate.

As the heat retreats to the south, Michiana could be under what meteorologists call a “northwest flow regime.” During this pattern, rain and storms (helped by the jet stream) form on the northern edge of the heat dome.

What does this mean for us? We won’t have to go weeks without rain. In fact, our weather looks active, starting with potentially multiple rounds of rain and storms on Tuesday.

Every three days or so, Michiana could have to deal with showers and thunderstorms. For the next few weeks, much of the Upper Midwest (including Michiana) is favored for above-normal precipitation.

Time will tell if Michiana can reap the benefits of the rain without sowing the severe weather that sometimes accompanies summer thunderstorms.