Indianapolis, Indiana – Colder air is expected to spill into Indiana shortly after Thanksgiving, bringing a sharp shift from the recent mild stretch and ushering in winter-like conditions across much of the state into early December.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, the developing pattern ties into a combination of La Niña influences, the Madden-Julian Oscillation, and the potential for a rare November Sudden Stratospheric Warming event. Together, these factors are lining up to send colder-than-normal temperatures across the central United States, including Indiana, beginning late next week.
Statewide effects are expected as early as late Thursday into Friday, with much of Indiana trending several degrees below seasonal averages. Northern counties such as Lake, Porter, LaPorte, and St. Joseph may feel the early push of colder air first, followed by deeper penetration of cold across central and southern Indiana. Conditions may become more favorable for bursts of lake-effect snow near the Michigan border and for frost or freeze concerns farther south.
Travelers heading home from Thanksgiving gatherings may face slick spots during the coldest overnight periods, especially on untreated roads. Hoosiers should plan to bundle up, charge devices in case of local outages, and prepare for slower morning commutes as temperatures drop well below freezing at times.
The colder pattern is expected to continue into early December, and additional advisories are possible as the state shifts toward a more winter-like setup.
