textproduct: Indianapolis

KEY MESSAGES

- Winter Storm Warning today through Monday morning

- Total snow amounts between 8 to 12 inches possible near the I-70 corridor and south. Slightly lower amounts expected north.

- Cold Weather Advisory Sunday night through midday Tuesday, Extreme Cold Warning along and west of I-69 Sunday night through Monday morning, additional dangerous cold through much of the upcoming week

SHORT TERM (Today and tonight)

Issued at 326 AM EST Sun Jan 25 2026

Latest observations show snowfall rates have picked up gradually across central Indiana over the past few hours as stronger frontogenetical forcing is moving in. Lower visibilities around 1/2 to 1 mile across far south-central IN support increasing rates. The most widespread lower visibilities has generally been near the I-70 corridor south with even a few sites briefly reporting less than 1/4 of a mile visibility across the far south. Reported snowfall amounts have generally ranged from 2 to 3.5 inches at this time.

The antecedent dry airmass from a strong Arctic high centered near Wisconsin is no longer a limiting factor for NW portions of central IN as the atmospheric column has saturated. Deeper moisture continues to surge northward this morning with strengthening frontogenetical forcing towards daybreak today. Look for this to continue promoting increasing snowfall rates, particularly for locations near or south of the I-70 corridor. The Winter Storm Warning is in effect through 7AM ET Monday morning.

Current KIND radar imagery depicts widespread snow ongoing with the heaviest snow across far south-central IN where the strongest frontogenetical forcing is located. Expect this heavier snow to continue gradually expanding northward through daybreak. While rates should increase, SLRs are expected to slowly decrease with time, mainly over south-central IN as thermal profiles warm due to warm air advection aloft. The increased frontogenetical lift and a deep isothermal layer remaining below the DGZ should also lower SLRs. This could limit the potential for heavy snowfall rates over an inch per hour over next few hours until more impressive frontogenetical forcing moves in towards daybreak.

Overall forcing from the system shifts east this evening allowing snow to taper off from west to east. Lingering flurries are possible overnight though no additional accumulation is expected.

Total Snowfall Amounts.

Latest trends in CAMs has shifted the heavier axis of snowfall slightly further north due to the surface low near the Tennessee Valley likely tracking a little further north. Locations near the I- 70 corridor and south are still expected to see the highest amounts with between 8 to 12 inches possible. Snowfall rates have been relatively modest, but intensifying rates and the long duration of snow through today should allow for these high amounts. Locally higher amounts are possible, especially where banding develops. Locations further north are likely going to see higher snowfall amounts generally around 6-10 inches. The higher end amounts are less likely towards a Covington to Delphi line where amounts may end up slightly lower around 5-9 inches. Another concern today, especially going into the afternoon hours, will be northerly gusts of 20-25 mph which may cause drifting with the very powdery snow.

Temperatures.

Bitterly cold temperatures will define the thermodynamic environment of this storm. Highs today will struggle to reach the mid-teens, with overnight lows plummeting to near or below Zero behind the departing system. Dangerous wind chill values are expected tonight into Monday morning with minimum wind chills values around 20 to 25F below zero for at least west/northwest portions of central Indiana. An Extreme Cold Warning is in effect from midnight tonight to 11AM Monday for the west/northwest half of central IN. Because surface temperatures are so far below freezing, chemical treatments like salt will have severely limited effectiveness.

LONG TERM (Monday through Saturday)

Issued at 326 AM EST Sun Jan 25 2026

Dangerous cold is the main story of the long term period as temperatures remain well below freezing and wind chills are expected to be below zero often. A few nights could even see the actual lows, not just the wind chill, down to -5 to -10 in spots, especially given the snow pack that will be in place. We have issued a Cold Weather Advisory through midday Tuesday, which could be quite impactful with wind chill values as low as 15-20 below at times. Additional cold weather headlines will likely be needed as the week goes on, so will continue to monitor those temps and wind chills. Although the temperatures won't warm much through the week, wind speeds should subside by the latter half of the week.

Much of the period has minimal PoPs, but can't rule out periodic flurries as it doesn't take much energy for that. The best chance of additional snow accumulation will come midweek as a weak perturbation in northwesterly flow moves through.

Beyond the long term, below normal temperatures are expected to continue but the start of February should see slightly less miserable temperatures than the upcoming week is bringing.

AVIATION (06Z TAF Issuance)

Issued at 113 AM EST Sun Jan 25 2026

Impacts:

- Snow continues through most of the period - IFR vis probable through the evening, LIFR possible at times - Mainly MVFR ceilings

Discussion:

Snow will continue through most of the period. Snow may be heavy at times, mainly tonight into the morning. Predominant IFR visibilities possible through the evening, with LIFR vis at times mainly at BMG. MVFR ceilings expected through the period.

Northeast winds will become north Sunday afternoon. Gusts near 20kt are possible Sunday afternoon.

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.

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

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