Fort Wayne, Indiana – January 2026 ranked colder and snowier than normal, affecting travel corridors near Interstate 69.
According to a Saturday climate summary from the National Weather Service Northern Indiana, persistent cold air during the second half of January led to well-below-normal temperatures across the region. Both Fort Wayne and South Bend finished the month among the top 20 snowiest Januaries on record, despite overall precipitation remaining below average.
In Fort Wayne, the average January temperature was 21.3 degrees, approximately 4.2 degrees below normal, ranking as the city’s 31st coldest January since records began in 1897. Total precipitation measured 1.24 inches, placing the month among the driest on record, while snowfall totaled 14.1 inches, about 3.3 inches above normal, ranking 20th snowiest.
South Bend recorded an average temperature of 21.5 degrees, about 2.6 degrees below normal, making January 2026 the city’s 36th coldest January. Precipitation totaled 2.02 inches, also below average, while snowfall reached 38.6 inches, approximately 17 inches above normal, ranking as the 8th snowiest January since records began in 1893.
The Weather Service noted that repeated clipper systems and lake-effect snow events produced frequent light, fluffy snowfall throughout the month. However, limited moisture prevented heavier precipitation totals.
Travel impacts were most noticeable along major corridors including I-69, I-469, US-30, I-80, and I-90, particularly during overnight and early morning hours when cold temperatures allowed snow to accumulate quickly.
For commuters, students, and shift workers across northern Indiana, January’s conditions required ongoing winter travel caution despite relatively low precipitation totals.
