Indianapolis, Indiana — A sharp late-season cold snap will move into Indiana early Friday, May 8, bringing freezing overnight temperatures that could disrupt travel and threaten early-season crops across Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, and Bloomington.
According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, temperatures will run 50–60% below normal through May 14, with the coldest air arriving Friday night into early Saturday. The most critical window is from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday, when temperatures are expected to fall to or below 32 degrees statewide.
That drop will create immediate impacts. Frost is likely to form on exposed surfaces, including bridges and overpasses along I-65, I-70, and I-69, increasing the risk of slick spots for early morning drivers. Rural and low-lying areas near Fort Wayne and Bloomington may see colder pockets where freezing conditions linger longer, raising the risk of crop damage and affecting outdoor work.
Light rain moving through Friday night could leave roads damp, allowing cold air to create patchy slick conditions before sunrise. Low-lying roads and drainage-prone intersections in Indianapolis and Evansville may see minor pooling, adding to travel hazards.
This is part of a broader stretch of unseasonably cold air covering much of the eastern United States during this period.
Drivers should use caution on bridges and shaded roads early Saturday and avoid untreated surfaces where slick spots develop. Residents should cover sensitive plants and protect outdoor vegetation.
The highest risk for freezing temperatures and travel impacts peaks early Saturday between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m.
