# Severe Thunderstorm Watch 704 for Indiana and Kentucky until 11 PM ET Wednesday Published November 11, 2026, 5:16 PM ET By Ryan Hall, Y'all Written by our automated news desk from National Weather Service data. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is up until 11 PM Eastern (10 PM Central) Wednesday, Nov. 11, for 56 counties around Indianapolis, Evansville, Terre Haute, Bloomington and Owensboro. Scattered damaging gusts to 70 mph and hail up to 1.5 inches are possible, with a tornado or two on the table. The storms ride a cold front that ends a 70-degree day in Indianapolis, where lows are forecast in the 20s by Saturday night. ## Key points - **Where:** 56 counties in central and southern Indiana and western Kentucky, from Terre Haute and Indianapolis down through Bloomington, Evansville and Owensboro. - **When:** Now until 11 PM Eastern (10 PM Central) Wednesday, Nov. 11. - **What:** Damaging gusts to 70 mph, hail up to 1.5 inches, and a tornado or two possible. - **What it means:** Have a way to get warnings tonight and know your safe spot. The highest risk is Level 2 of 5. ![Severe Thunderstorm Watch 704: Indianapolis, Evansville, Terre Haute, Bloomington, Owensboro (graphic by the Ryan Hall, Y'all newsroom)](https://public.yallsoft.app/rhy/blog/images/2026-11-11-news-newsroom-14214808-0-2208.png) A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 11 PM Eastern (10 PM Central) Wednesday night for 56 counties in central and southern Indiana and western Kentucky, including Indianapolis, Evansville, Terre Haute, Bloomington and Owensboro. Scattered damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph are possible, along with hail up to 1.5 inches and a tornado or two. The storms are firing along and ahead of a cold front that will end a 70-degree day in Indianapolis and bring lows in the 20s to the city by Saturday night. ## What the watch covers A watch means storms could turn severe in this area over the next several hours. It does not mean one is bearing down on your street. Some severe thunderstorm warnings are already active, so check our [live warnings page](/warnings) for the storm nearest you. The latest radar loop over the watch area is below. ## How strong the storms can get The Storm Prediction Center has Level 2 of 5 (Slight Risk) up for central and southern Indiana, western Kentucky and far southeastern Illinois. That takes in Evansville, Bloomington, Louisville and Bowling Green. Indianapolis, Nashville and Champaign sit in the Level 1 area around it, but Indianapolis is inside the watch. Here is what the odds look like: - **Damaging wind:** 15% chance of 60+ mph gusts near any given spot in the Level 2 area. - **Hail:** 15% chance of hail 1 inch or bigger, with the biggest stones around 1.5 inches (between quarter and golf ball size). - **Tornado:** 2%. It's a small chance, but a tornado or two can't be ruled out. The air isn't loaded with storm fuel. We're talking roughly 500 to 1,000 J/kg of CAPE, which is modest. But winds change speed and direction enough with height to let storms organize into clusters and perhaps supercells, and a few could spin. That is why a modest-fuel day can still produce a gust that drops limbs on power lines. How sure are we? The watch is in effect, and a Level 2 area is outlined. Which exact towns get a severe storm is not certain. ## What comes after the front The front also changes the weather for the weekend. Indianapolis hit 70 today. Forecasts have Saturday night in the 20s, so it's time to bring in the tender potted plants and dig out the coats. Thursday, Nov. 12, the storm threat shifts east. A Level 1 of 5 (Marginal Risk) covers the Mid-Atlantic, including Philadelphia, Newark and New York City, with a couple of strong gusts or some marginally severe hail possible in the afternoon. Friday has no severe storms expected in the lower 48. ## What to do - **Pick your safe spot now.** It should be an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows. - **Get warnings you won't sleep through.** Phone alerts on, and sign up for free [Y'all Alerts](/alerts). - **Secure loose stuff outside.** Trash cans, patio furniture and anything light can fly in a 60 to 70 mph gust. - **Plan around the evening commute.** If you're driving on I-65, I-69 or I-70 through the watch area, slow down in heavy rain and pull off if hail starts. - **If a warning is issued for your spot,** go to your safe place right then, and don't wait to see it. Our [severe storm outlooks](/severe) show the risk through the next several days, and [live storm reports](/reports) show what storms are actually doing. ## Bottom line Watch 704 runs until 11 PM Eastern, with damaging wind, hail and a tornado or two possible. Stay alert through the evening, and expect a much colder weekend once the front clears. Explained: [Watch vs. warning: what PDS watches and emergencies mean](https://ryanhallyall.com/news/watch-vs-warning-and-what-a-pds-watch-or-emergency-means) More on: [Ohio Valley severe weather, November 2026](https://ryanhallyall.com/news/topic/ohio-valley-severe-weather-november-2026) Places in this story: Indianapolis, IN; Evansville, IN; Louisville, KY; Terre Haute, IN; Bloomington, IN; Owensboro, KY ## Sources - NWS point forecasts, National Weather Service --- Canonical: https://ryanhallyall.com/news/severe-thunderstorm-watch-704-for-indiana-and-kentucky-until-11-pm-et-wednesday From Ryan Hall, Y'all (https://ryanhallyall.com). Always follow official warnings from the National Weather Service.