NEAR RECORD WARMTH BREWS THUNDERSTORMS

THE HIGH OF 72 IN INDIANAPOLIS WAS THE WARMEST OF 2010 AND THE WARMEST SINCE EARLY NOVEMBER.  SEVERE STORMS IGNITE OVER ARKANSAS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

Sunny skies brought an early taste of May across central Indiana Wednesday.  The high of 72 degrees will normally occur on May the 10th.  The high was just two degrees shy of the record remarkably set only one year ago.  The high last Wednesday was only 38.

Heavy thunderstorms raked central Arkansas late Wednesday night.  Three tornadoes were reported through 10 pm with homes damaged and injuries reported in the town of Center Hill.

Showers and thunderstorms will make the move north through the overnight hours arriving in southern Indiana around daybreak and working north.  Expect showers and possibly a rumble of thunder Thursday with temperatures remaining mild.  High's Thursday should push into the 60's again - well above the average high of 49.

A cool down will get underway Friday evening with the return of more showers and thunderstorms.  Colder air - more seasonable air - will settle in for the weekend.  High's by Sunday may only reach the middle 40's with a chance of a few wet snowflakes possible early.