STATEWIDE–Torrential rain, strong winds, and isolated tornadoes are all severe weather threats that could reach Indiana Tuesday because of Tropical Depression Cristobal, says the National Weather Service in Indianapolis.

“Basically anywhere from noon until 10 pm would be our most likely threat. We’re going to be keeping a close eye on things during the afternoon and evening hours Tuesday,” says Joe Nield, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis.

Nield says every part of Indiana needs to be ready.

“Pretty much all of central Indiana will be affected. The western half of Indiana will be in the highest threat area, but eastern Indiana is still going to have a threat as well. You’re going to want to have your plan in place to take action in case a warning is issued on Tuesday,” says Nield.

All of western Indiana is under a slight risk for severe weather. Cities and towns east of Indianapolis are under a marginal risk.

A slight risk means scattered powerful thunderstorms are expected. While storms may be short-lived, they can be intense. A marginal risk means isolated thunderstorms are possible.

Cristobal was a Tropical Storm before dropping to a Depression. A tropical depression is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds (one-minute average) of 38 mph or less. Nield says the ever-changing nature of Cristobal has him concerned.

“What has been changing is the degree of expected instability as we get into Tuesday. That has increased our threat. The low-level shear that is already in place is kind of setting the stage for what could be a severe weather outbreak across the area,” says Nield.

Nield says the thunderstorm threat decreases overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning.

“We’re not expecting a severe weather threat on Wednesday, just some continued breezy conditions and precipitation exiting the area,” says Nield.