textproduct: Indianapolis

KEY MESSAGES

- Some blowing and drifting snow, especially in rural areas, possible at times through this afternoon

- Cold Weather Advisory from 10 PM this evening through 11 AM Wednesday

- Dangerous wind chills continue at times through at least Saturday night

FORECAST UPDATE

Issued at 944 AM EST Tue Jan 27 2026

The forecast remains in relatively good shape with only minor adjustments needed. Latest surface analysis depicts a strong surface high centered near the Dakotas with a low pressure system just north of the Great Lakes Region. Expect the low pressure system to push a cold front through the region later today bringing another shot of very cold air. Meanwhile at the surface, high pressure should continues to build in supporting quiet weather.

Temperatures and dew points were slightly lowered to match observations. Mostly sunny skies along with modest warm air advection ahead of the approaching cold front will warm temperatures well into the teens to possibly mid 20s over far S/SW counties by the afternoon. The Extreme Cold Warning expired at 9AM as temperatures have warmed through the morning with wind chills now above warning criteria. A Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect from 10PM this evening through 11AM EST Wednesday morning with the potential for wind chills as low as 20 degrees below zero.

SHORT TERM (Today and tonight)

Issued at 306 AM EST Tue Jan 27 2026

A very cold night continues across central Indiana, though temperatures have begun to rebound slightly as southwesterly flow strengthens ahead of the cold front expected later today. Still wind chills are as low as -21 across portions of the area, and will keep the Extreme Cold Warning in place as is.

Some insolation this morning, along with the ongoing southwesterly flow, will allow temperatures to rebound into the mid teens to mid 20s across the area today, though accompanied by gusty winds which will keep wind chill values mostly in the single digits through the day.

Increased cloud cover with the boundary will keep temperatures from recovering any more than this, though rapidly clearing skies this evening along with the existing snowpack and decreasing winds as high pressure builds in behind the boundary should allow temperatures to plummet tonight into the -2 to -9 range, with any wind producing wind chill values well into advisory range, and perhaps approaching warning criteria. For the time being, have issued a Cold Weather Advisory from 03Z this evening to 16Z Wednesday, and this may be refined depending upon guidance trends with today's data.

LONG TERM (Wednesday through Monday)

Issued at 306 AM EST Tue Jan 27 2026

Cold continues through the long term with numerous days still seeing dangerous minimum wind chills. Models are in good agreement with the current troughing pattern continuing with persistent northwesterly flow aloft and a few clipper systems passing by.

The remainder of the work week will see highs in the teens and lows below zero. Combined with winds, nightly wind chills of -10 to -20 are probable at least through the end of the week and will likely prompt additional cold weather headlines. Temps look to slightly warm late this weekend into the start of next week as highs could creep into the 20s and may finally see lows above zero again.

Models are showing a decent upper trough potentially dropping southward out of Canada which could bring scattered flurries or snow showers at times late week. Behind this system, can't rule out additional lake enhanced flurries over the weekend when surface flow is more northerly. Otherwise, predominate surface high pressure will keep any significant precip at bay.

AVIATION (12Z TAF Issuance)

Issued at 616 AM EST Tue Jan 27 2026

Impacts:

- Low Level Wind Shear this morning

- Gusts of 20-30KT at times today

- Period of MVFR ceilings possible, mainly at IND/LAF this afternoon

Discussion:

Strong winds just off the surface will promote a low level wind shear concern through the first few hours of the TAF, along with increasing likelihood for gusts, with gusts approaching 25-30KT at times out of the southwest through west as the day goes on.

Lower clouds will move in during the day as another cold front passes through the region. Some MVFR ceilings will be possible, primarily this afternoon at LAF/IND. Cannot completely rule them out at HUF/BMG, but guidance has trended higher with ceilings there.

Winds may produce some blowing snow, though it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to actually impact visibilities/be observed at the sites after a day or two of compaction of the snowpack.

IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Cold Weather Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 11 AM EST Wednesday for INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072.