Weather
Indiana Thanksgiving Travel: Snow, Ice Concerns Nov. 18–24
Indianapolis, IN – Thanksgiving travelers across Indiana could face an increasingly active weather pattern as precipitation chances rise heading into November 18–24, raising concerns about developing
By Audrey Sloan · 2026-11-11T05:30:11.908Z
Indianapolis, IN – Thanksgiving travelers across Indiana could face an increasingly active weather pattern as precipitation chances rise heading into November 18–24, raising concerns about developing storms, snow, freezing rain and potentially icy highways during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, its November 10 outlook favors above normal precipitation across Indiana and much of the Midwest from Wednesday, November 18, through Tuesday, November 24.
The widespread wet pattern stretches from the western United States through the central Plains, Ohio Valley and Great Lakes. Portions of the nation's Heartland reach 70–80% probabilities of above normal precipitation, while Indiana falls within the broader region of elevated precipitation potential.
Indianapolis, Carmel and Central Indiana Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Greenwood and surrounding communities could experience periods of unsettled weather as the precipitation pattern develops.
Travelers along Interstate 65, Interstate 69, Interstate 70 and Interstate 465 should monitor forecasts for rain, snow or mixed precipitation if colder air arrives during the preholiday period.
South Bend, Elkhart and Northern Indiana South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart, Goshen and surrounding communities warrant attention for possible winter weather, particularly if colder air moves across the southern Great Lakes.
Snow or mixed precipitation could develop if temperatures support winter weather. Lake effect snow may also become a concern near Lake Michigan under favorable wind and temperature conditions.
Interstate 80/90 and U.S. Highway 31 are important travel corridors to monitor.
Gary, Hammond and Northwest Indiana Gary, Hammond, East Chicago, Merrillville, Valparaiso and Michigan City could face changing weather conditions during November 18–24.
Travelers along Interstate 80/94, Interstate 65 and the Indiana Toll Road should watch for developing precipitation and possible lake effect snow if colder northwest winds arrive.
Fort Wayne, Lafayette and Eastern Indiana Fort Wayne, New Haven, Huntington, Lafayette, West Lafayette and surrounding communities are also within the wetter than normal outlook.
Periods of rain could develop, while snow, sleet or freezing rain would become concerns if surface temperatures fall sufficiently.
Bloomington, Evansville and Southern Indiana Bloomington, Columbus, Terre Haute, Evansville and New Albany could experience unsettled conditions during the preholiday travel window.
Rain and developing storm systems are the primary concerns to monitor, although colder temperatures could introduce the possibility of mixed precipitation.
Thanksgiving Travel: Could Winter Storms Develop? The increased precipitation signal arrives ahead of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, raising questions about potential travel disruptions across Indiana.
Although NOAA's accompanying temperature outlook favors above normal temperatures across much of the Midwest, colder periods could still support snow or freezing precipitation, especially across northern Indiana.
The November 18–24 outlook measures the probability of above normal precipitation, not the likelihood of a specific snowstorm, ice storm or lake effect snow event.
Indiana travelers should monitor updated forecasts for storm timing, precipitation type and potential highway impacts as Thanksgiving approaches.