Indianapolis, Indiana – Indiana is bracing for a prolonged stretch of Arctic cold that will settle in from late January and linger well into February, bringing freezing nights, bitter wind chills, and little sign of meaningful relief before Valentine’s Day. From Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis to the open farmland of northern Indiana and the Ohio River towns in the south, winter conditions are expected to remain firmly entrenched.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperature outlooks from January 23 through February 13 strongly favor below-normal conditions across the Midwest. Multiple outlook periods indicate repeated surges of Arctic air reinforcing the cold, keeping Indiana locked in a deep winter pattern as February begins.
In Indianapolis, daytime highs may struggle to climb out of the 20s during the coldest stretches, while overnight lows frequently drop into the teens, with colder pockets in outlying suburbs and rural areas. Gusty winds along I-65, I-70, and exposed downtown corridors will drive wind chills into the single digits or below zero at times. Northern Indiana, including Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Elkhart, faces harsher conditions, with frequent single-digit lows and occasional subzero readings, especially where snowpack remains on the ground. In northwest Indiana near Lake Michigan, cold winds off the lake will intensify exposure risks along U.S. 12, I-80, and lakeshore communities.
Central and southern Indiana will not escape the cold. Bloomington, Terre Haute, and Evansville can expect repeated hard freezes overnight, with daytime temperatures remaining well below normal. The extended cold raises concerns for frozen pipes, vehicle reliability issues, and increased risk of frostbite and hypothermia for anyone spending extended time outdoors.
Residents are urged to dress in insulated layers, limit outdoor exposure during overnight and early morning hours, protect exposed plumbing, and bring pets indoors. Drivers should carry winter emergency kits, especially when traveling rural roads or late at night.
While brief moderation may occur, longer-range signals suggest Indiana’s Arctic cold may not ease in a meaningful way until after Valentine’s Day. Additional cold weather advisories remain possible as this prolonged winter pattern continues across the Hoosier State.
