textproduct: Indianapolis

KEY MESSAGES

- Winter Storm Warning through Monday morning

- Blowing and drifting snow, especially in rural areas, possible tonight and Monday night

- Extreme Cold Warning tonight into Monday morning.

- Cold Weather Advisory tonight through midday Tuesday, additional dangerous cold through much of the upcoming week

SHORT TERM (This evening through Monday)

Issued at 253 PM EST Sun Jan 25 2026

Surface low pressure is located to our southeast, roughly over eastern Kentucky, as of 2pm. Moderate to heavy snow has been falling since yesterday evening, though rates have tapered off in the past few hours. Amounts across the region range from 4 to 6 inches from Lafayette to Kokomo, 8 to 12 across the I-70 corridor, and 10 to 14 across the southern half of our CWA.

Upper-level analysis shows residual troughing upstream, which should allow for continued ascent through about 00z. Light snow continues to our west as far as southeastern Missouri. High-resolution guidance shows this activity progressing northeastward, ending here between 00-04z. Generally light snow is expected, but a period of moderate snow cannot be ruled out. Additional accumulations between 1 to 3 inches appears likely, with the highest additional totals further east.

Winds look to increase slightly as the low pulls away, with a few gusts to 20 to 25 mph possible form the north-northwest. This may lead to pockets of blowing and drifting snow, especially in open country. As such, our Winter Storm Warning will continue until 12z Monday to account for lingering hazardous conditions during the overnight/early morning hours.

Cold air advection resumes with the north-northwesterly flow as well, with lows falling to below zero tonight into Monday. Ambient air temperatures near or below zero, combined with 10 to 20 mph wind (not including gusts) will lead to wind chills as low as -25 degrees tonight into Monday. Our Extreme Cold Warning will continue through the late morning hours tomorrow.

LONG TERM (Monday night through Sunday)

Issued at 253 PM EST Sun Jan 25 2026

Ensemble guidance is in good agreement showing continued east coast troughing with persistent northwesterly flow aloft. Occasional clipper systems passing to our north may allow for brief periods of SW return flow, but little in the way of temperature relief is expected. A strongly negative Arctic Oscillation and positive Pacific North American pattern add weight to the continuation of the current weather pattern.

Our primary weather hazard through the coming week will be the cold. Daily highs well below freezing are expected, with lows at or just below zero each night through the weekend. Combined with winds, nightly wind chills of -10 to -20 are possible. The coldest night in terms of wind chills looks to be Monday night with breezy SW winds of 20-25 mph. Wind chills as low as -25 degrees are possible into Tuesday morning.

The coldest in terms of ambient air temperatures looks to be Wednesday morning. Surface high pressure, clear skies, relatively light wind and a deep snowpack will create optimal radiative cooling conditions. Lows between -10 to -15 degrees are possible, especially in rural areas. Another strong surface high arrives over the weekend which may allow for another period of very cold ambient air temperatures.

There may be a slight chance of snow late Wednesday as a clipper system passes by, but chances of that seem low as of right now.

AVIATION (00Z TAF Issuance)

Issued at 629 PM EST Sun Jan 25 2026

Impacts:

- Predominant MVFR ceilings tonight - Blowing snow at least this evening - Gusty winds this evening

Discussion:

Most snow has ended with just some patchy light snow lingering. Gusty winds this evening will produce blowing snow. These will reduce visibility into the MVFR range at times, with brief IFR possible.

Ceilings will bounce around, but predominant MVFR ceilings are expected tonight. On Monday, VFR conditions are expected. However, can't rule of brief restrictions in blowing snow if winds become stronger than expected.

IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Winter Storm Warning until 7 AM EST Monday for INZ021-028>031- 035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072.

Extreme Cold Warning from midnight tonight to 11 AM EST Monday for INZ021-028>031-035>039-043>047-051>054-060-061-067-068.

Extreme Cold Warning from 7 PM Monday to 9 AM EST Tuesday for INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072.

Cold Weather Advisory from 11 AM to 7 PM EST Monday for INZ021- 028>031-035>039-043>047-051>054-060-061-067-068.

Cold Weather Advisory from 9 AM to noon EST Tuesday for INZ021- 028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072.

Cold Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to 7 PM EST Monday for INZ040>042-048-049-055>057-062>065-069>072.