Below zero windchills making for dangerous conditions
Extremely cold air, heavy wind gusts and snowfall affecting millions of people and causing dangerous conditions
No corner of Indiana will be spared from the winter storm making its way across the country from Texas to the east coast in the days ahead, National Weather Service meteorologists are predicting.
According to NWS Indianapolis meteorologist Joseph Nield, snowfall in the city will hit at around 3 p.m. Jan. 24. The snow, which should be light at first, will begin gathering intensity late on Saturday night.
“The heaviest snow we’re expecting here in the metro area is Sunday morning into early afternoon,” Nield said.
Nield said windchills will likely reach into the single digits, and perhaps dip below zero, during the storm. Once the snow stops falling, extreme cold will linger for a few days.
“We’re expecting a prolonged period behind this of air temperatures in the single digits, maybe even negative at times,” Nield said.
A winter storm warning’s coverage was expanded early Jan. 23 to include Hoosiers living in Central Indiana as far north as Kokomo.
The warning takes effect at noon on Jan. 24 and will continue until at least 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 26.
Heavy snow reaching 6-10 inches is expected in parts of central, east central, north central and west central Indiana. The heaviest snow will fall late Saturday night into Sunday afternoon, NWS says.
Travel could be dangerous during this storm and the warning advises people who must travel to “keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”
Temperatures throughout the storm are expected to stay well below freezing with windchills dipping to around -17 degrees in parts of the state.
Several Indianapolis-area school districts were already prepping for the possibility of changed schedules for Monday morning. Indianapolis Public Schools put parents on notice an elearning day could be on the horizon.
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Indiana National Guard activated ahead of storm
Around 110 members of the Indiana National Guard will assist with the storm response in southern Indiana, the Herald-Times reported. The troops, divided between 12 teams, will help stranded drivers and provide other support as necessary.
The teams will cover U.S. 41 from Evansville to Vincennes, I-64 from New Albany to Evansville, I-65 from New Albany to Columbus and I-69 from Evansville to Bloomington.
What do different forecasters predict about snowfall in Indianapolis?
Predicting the weather isn’t exact and models can lead to different interpretations of what to expect. Here’s a look at what some of the locally watched weather forecasts are predicting as of 8 p.m. Friday.
- Accuweather: 1-2 inches of snow on Saturday, 1-3 inches of snow on Sunday.
- Fox59: 6-12 inches of snow between Saturday and Sunday. Patchy snow from mid-afternoon to evening, but snow will ramp up by Sunday morning.
- National Weather Service: 6-10 inches of snow between Saturday and Sunday.
- Weather Underground: 2.9 inches of snow on Saturday, 5.8 inches of snow on Sunday.
- The Weather Channel: 1-3 inches of snow on Saturday, 5-8 inches of snow on Sunday.
- WISH-TV: 7-10 inches of snow between Saturday and Sunday.
- WRTV: 6-10 inches of snow between Saturday and Sunday.
- WTHR: 6-12 inches of snow between Saturday and Sunday. Snow will be particularly heavy on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
When will the storm hit Indianapolis
Winter storm warning Indianapolis
Early Friday forecast for Indianapolis
Expected snowfall totals across Indiana as of early Jan. 23
Public safety officials, mayor hold press conference
Mayor Joe Hogsett joined officials from agencies including the Department of Public Works, National Weather Service and Office of Public Heath and Safety ahead of the storm.
Todd Wilson, the public works department director, said this weekend marks the ninth time crews have been called out in response to weather conditions since November 2025. Contractors are expected to help supplement the fleet, particularly on side roads, part of a policy change implemented after the prolonged chaos of Winter Storm Blair.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officer Tommy Thompson implored people to avoid unnecessary travel for the sake of other motorists and for first responders.
“We have to be thinking about other people we’re putting at risk,” Thompson said.
What the weather advisories mean
Here’s how weather service defines some of their cold weather alerts:
Winter storm warning: A significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent.
Winter storm watch: A potential for significant and hazardous winter weather exists within 48 hours.
Winter weather advisory: Issued for any amount of freezing rain or when 2 to 4 inches of snow, alone or in combination with other precipitation, is expected to cause a significant inconvenience.
Extreme cold warning: Extremely dangerous cold air is occurring or imminent. Avoid going outside and if you must do so, notify at least one other person of your whereabouts.
Extreme cold watch: Issued when extremely dangerous cold conditions or wind chill values are possible, but the occurrence, location and/or timing is still uncertain.
Cold weather advisory: Dangerously cold weather is in the area, but it’s not expected to reach the criteria for an extreme cold warning. Limit time outside and dress appropriately.
Indianapolis and Indiana road conditions
Check road conditions, including road closures, crashes and live webcams using Indiana’s online Trafficwise map at 511in.org, or visit our gridlock guide page for live traffic cams and more.
INDOT’s CARS Program provides information about road conditions, closures and width and weight restrictions. The website has a color-coded map of Indiana’s highways and highlights hazardous road conditions and travel delays.
The interactive map also shows road work warnings, closures, roadway restrictions and other information helpful to drivers.
Emergency overnight shelter information
There are a few shelter options available in Indianapolis.
The city will keep its overnight shelter at West Morris Church, 2302 W. Morris St., open throughout the weekend, it announced Friday morning.
Women in need of emergency shelter should check in at the Wheeler Mission Center for Women and Children between 4-7 p.m. Dinner is available for those who check in before 5 p.m. That shelter is located at 3208 East Michigan St.
In all weather conditions, a seasonal family and women’s shelter is open at North Tibbs and a men’s shelter is open at the Assessment and Intervention Center through March 31.
Anybody in need of overnight shelter can contact the Mayor’s Action Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Outside of those hours, people can dial 211. Aspire Indiana Health is also available 24/7 at 317-764-6914.
Where to report power outages and downed lines
- AES Indiana customers: 317-261-8111
- Duke Energy customers: 1-800-343-3525
⚡ Indiana power outage map: How to check your status.
Warming centers in Indianapolis
All Indy Parks Family Centers and Indianapolis Public Library branches will serve as warming centers during their regular operating hours.
- Broad Ripple Park Family Center (1426 Broad Ripple Ave.) (317-327-7161): 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- Brookside Park Family Center (3500 Brookside Parkway S. Dr.) (317-327-7179): noon to 8 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- Central Library (40 E. St. Clair St.) (317-275-4100): 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays
- Christian Park Family Center (4200 English Ave.) (317-327-7163): noon to 8 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- College Avenue Branch Library (4180 N. College Ave.) (317-275-4320): 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- Frederick Douglass Park Family Center (1616 E. 25th St.) (317-327-7174): 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- Garfield Park Branch Library (2502 Shelby St.) (317-275-4490): 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- Garfield Park Burrello Family Center (2345 Pagoda Dr.) (317-327-7220): 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- Glendale Branch Library (3660 E. 62nd St.) (317-275-4410): 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays
- Irvington Branch Library (5625 E. Washington St.) (317-275-4450): 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- Krannert Park Family Center (605 S. High School Rd.) (317-327-7375): 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- Lawrence Branch Library (7898 N. Hague Rd.) (317-275-4460): 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- Michigan Road Branch Library (6201 Michigan Rd.) (317-275-4370): 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- Municipal Gardens Family Center (1831 Lafayette Rd.) (317-327-7190): 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays; closed Saturdays and Sundays
- Pride Park Family Center (1129 Vandeman St.) (317-327-7164): 1 to 8 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- Rhodius Park Family Center (1720 W. Wilkins St.) (317-327-7191): 2 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 2 to 7 p.m. Fridays; closed Saturdays and Sundays
- Riverside Park Family Center (2420 E. Riverside Dr.) (317-327-7171): 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- Stanley Strader Park Family Center (2850 Bethel Ave.) (317-327-7480): 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- Thatcher Park Family Center (4649 W. Vermont St.) (317-327-7390): 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- Washington Park Family Center (3130 E. 30th St.) (317-327-7473): 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- Wayne Branch Library (198 S. Girls School Rd.) (317-275-4530): 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
- Windsor Village Park Family Center (6510 E. 25th St.) (317-327-7162): 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays
