Gates close Wednesday at Indiana State Fair as severe weather looms

A chance of severe weather Wednesday has temporarily closed the entry gates at the Indiana State Fair with officials asking attendees to seek shelter in the nearest building as a safety precaution.

Just before 5 p.m., Wednesday, representatives with the Indiana State Fair issued the following Tweet: “Severe weather is an immediate threat to the Fairgrounds. Seek shelter in the nearest building. If you are away from the Fairgrounds, please wait to arrive until the storm passes.”

More: Here’s the most Indiana way to tell the difference between a tornado watch and a warning

NWS Forecast for Central Indiana

Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a steady temperature around 79. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday night: Showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between midnight and 2 a.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Low around 67. West southwest wind around 8 mph becoming south southeast in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7 a.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 83. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. West northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming southwest after midnight.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph.

John Tufts covers evening breaking and trending news for the Indianapolis Star. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com.