textproduct: Indianapolis

KEY MESSAGES

- Cold and mostly cloudy today. Flurries likely to continue for the NE half of the forecast area through around sunset

- Wind gusts of 20-30 mph possible through sunset

- Next round of precipitation Wednesday night into Thursday with light snow accumulation possible in northern portions of the area

- Warmer late week with anther cold front expected by this weekend

FORECAST UPDATE

Issued at 958 PM EST Mon Feb 23 2026

The forecast remains in good shape with only minor adjustments made to cloud cover and winds. Current surface analysis depicts surface high pressure near SW Missouri shifting southeastward. The gradual eastward progression of the surface high has helped to clear out low clouds over central Indiana. Winds have also diminished quickly now due to a weakening MSLP gradient.

Look for quiet weather conditions through the overnight period as surface high pressure remains across the region. Light winds and mostly clear skies should allow for continued cooling with lows expected to range from near the mid teens to low 20s.

SHORT TERM (This evening through Tuesday)

Issued at 301 PM EST Mon Feb 23 2026

Lake enhanced flurries are expected to continue through sunset, mainly across NE half of the forecast area. While minimal accumulations are expected, the gusty nature may slightly lower visibilities within stronger bursts of flurries. Tight pressure gradients aloft, on the backside of a strong low pressure system over New England is allowing northwesterly gusts of up to 25-30 mph this afternoon which are also expected to last through around sunset. With these gusts, wind chills will largely be in the teens. Surface high pressure will then pass through central Indiana tonight dropping winds nearer to 5 mph as the direction shifts to out of the south. Going into the day Tuesday, the southerly flow will provide WAA and temperatures should warm into the 40s for much of the area. However, another gusty day is in store for tomorrow as another low pressure system approaches the upper Great Lakes again forming a jet aloft that will bring another day of gusty winds up to around 25 mph for Tuesday midday into the evening. Unfortunately, this means that despite the slightly warmer temps tomorrow, wind chills will still make it feel like it'll be in the 20s.

LONG TERM (Tuesday night through Monday)

Issued at 301 PM EST Mon Feb 23 2026

A weak cold front passing through the area Tuesday night may produce a few mixed rain or snow showers, however Wednesday night into Thursday looks to be the most substantial chance for precipitation during the long term period.

A borderline thermodynamic profile and model discrepancies make for significant uncertainty with respect to types and possible amounts during this time frame, but even if light snow accumulation does occur, high temperatures in the 40s to low 50s Wednesday, very borderline lows (particularly from Indy southward) Wednesday night, and highs Thursday recovering back into the upper 30s to mid 40s should help to mitigate substantial impact through warmer ground surfaces. Nevertheless, cannot completely rule out some minor impacts to the Thursday morning commute, and this will bear monitoring.

Much of the remainder of the long term looks warm and dry, with highs by Friday pushing the low 60s across southern parts of the area with the upper level pattern becoming more zonal. There does appear to be some potential for another brief shot of cooler air late in the weekend into early next week, which may be accompanied by another chance for precip. Type will be a bit in question here as well, but for the moment substantial amounts do not appear likely.

AVIATION (00Z TAF Issuance)

Issued at 639 PM EST Mon Feb 23 2026

Impacts:

- Sporadic northwesterly wind gusts between 18-23 kt through 01Z this evening

- Southerly wind gusts between 24-31 kt possible on Tuesday

- Non-convective LLWS becoming increasingly likely at the very end of the TAF period Tuesday evening

Discussion:

Clouds are gradually clearing from west to east this evening with VFR conditions at all sites. Mid-high clouds will stream in tonight into Tuesday, but expect VFR ceilings through the period. Northwesterly winds may sporadically gust up to 18-23 kt through 01Z before quickly tapering off tonight.

Winds will become southerly by late tonight and pick up significantly on Tuesday. Southerly gusts between 23-31 kt are possible Tuesday, especially by the early afternoon hours. Some uncertainty remains regarding the depth of mixing due to increasing mid-high clouds, but most high resolution guidance suggest the potential for strong gusts.

Non-convective LLWS also appears increasingly likely at the very end of the TAF period towards Tuesday evening.

IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.