Clouds cling to the skies over Fort Wayne as the week kicks off with mild temperatures — but don’t get too comfy. A wild weather ride is on deck with gusty winds, temperature swings, and a growing storm risk heading into Easter weekend.

It’s not exactly the picture-perfect start to spring folks were hoping for. One day feels like June, the next like early March. And just as things begin to settle, another system threatens to crash the Easter plans.

Windy Days and Warmer Highs Kick Things Off

Monday brought a warm breeze with highs flirting with the low 70s — pretty pleasant, if not for the thick cloud cover. But the real story this week isn’t the temperature. It’s the wind.

Over the next few days, Fort Wayne is expected to get slapped with consistent gusts topping 30 mph. It’s not damaging stuff, but definitely enough to mess up your hair, flip a few patio chairs, or make outdoor work a little more annoying than usual.

Tuesday and Wednesday are shaping up to be the windiest days.

Expect sustained winds from the southwest:

• 15–25 mph averages

• Gusts pushing 30–35 mph during peak afternoon hours

• Slight fire weather risk in rural areas due to low humidity

It’s not quite a storm, but it’s the kind of stretch that makes you double-knot your laces and rethink that umbrella.

Temperature Swings: From Spring to Almost Summer, Then Back Again

If you’re the type who dresses based on yesterday’s forecast, good luck.

Tuesday could hit 74°F in parts of northeast Indiana, making it feel like a sneak peek of late spring. But then, bam — Thursday may barely crawl into the mid-50s, depending on how quickly cooler air filters in behind a weak cold front.

This back-and-forth isn’t just annoying — it’s also been more frequent lately.

National Weather Service data shows April 2025 has already featured six days with temperature swings greater than 20 degrees in a 24-hour span. And this week looks like it’ll add at least two more.

A few residents have taken notice.

“I don’t know whether to put away the winter coats or not,” laughed Kim Matthews, a local elementary school teacher. “We had the AC on Sunday and the furnace on Tuesday — make it make sense!”

Good Friday Brings the Risk of Thunderstorms

While the first half of the week looks dry (if windy), the back half is a different story. Meteorologists are eyeing Friday as the next chance for significant weather activity.

A developing low-pressure system is expected to approach from the central Plains late Thursday night into Friday. It’s still early, but models are starting to agree on a setup that could bring:

• Light showers beginning Friday morning

• Scattered thunderstorms in the late afternoon or evening

• A secondary round of rain into early Saturday

It’s not shaping up to be a major severe event — not yet, at least — but conditions could support some stronger cells.

“We’re watching for just enough instability and moisture to possibly spark a few heavier storms Friday afternoon,” said First Alert Meteorologist Brian Barrett. “It’s still several days out, so we’ll know more by midweek.”

Here’s How Easter Weekend Might Play Out

Plenty of folks have outdoor plans — egg hunts, cookouts, church services. Naturally, everyone wants to know: will it be wet or dry?

Saturday could be a bit unsettled in the morning, but the system is expected to move out quickly. Most models suggest skies should begin clearing by late morning or early afternoon. Temps should bounce back into the 60s.

Easter Sunday? That’s the real wildcard.

Some runs show a dry, cool day in the upper 50s. Others are hinting at a clipper system sneaking in from the northwest. It wouldn’t be a washout, but it could bring a passing shower or two.

Here’s what we know so far, in a quick glance:

So basically, it’s a mixed bag. Not a total washout, but not sunny skies either. Classic April.

Allergy Season and Outdoor Risks Add a Twist

Let’s not forget — it’s also prime allergy season.

With all this wind and dry air early in the week, tree pollen is through the roof. And rain later on? That won’t help much, as it often kicks more mold spores into the air.

“If you’ve got allergies, keep the meds handy and maybe hold off on mowing until Sunday,” warned local allergist Dr. Rachel Liu. “The wind is doing you no favors this week.”

Also, Friday’s storm risk means keeping an eye on loose outdoor decorations, trampolines, and trash bins. Gusts combined with soggy ground can even topple smaller trees in the wrong conditions.

One sentence, just to reset.

Another Week of Spring Guesswork

Honestly, it’s the kind of week that makes people shake their heads and mutter, “Only in Indiana.”

There’s no polar vortex, no blistering heat wave. Just a rollercoaster of “meh” weather that leaves folks checking their phones every few hours and wondering if they should grab a hoodie, a raincoat, or both.