Indianapolis, Indiana – A dangerous blast of winter air is bearing down on central Indiana tonight, setting up life-threatening wind chills and a high frostbite risk through Sunday afternoon. This is a high-impact cold event that will affect travel, outdoor plans, and vulnerable populations across the state.
The coldest conditions arrive late tonight into early Sunday as brisk northwest winds combine with plunging temperatures. Wind chills are expected to fall to around 20 below zero in parts of central and north-central Indiana, including the Indianapolis metro. Exposure at those levels can lead to frostbite in as little as 30 minutes, especially on exposed skin.
According to the National Weather Service office in Indianapolis, a Cold Weather Advisory is in effect from midnight tonight through 1 p.m. Sunday for a wide swath of the state. Counties included span Marion, Hamilton, Hendricks, Hancock, Johnson, Boone, Madison, Tippecanoe, Delaware, Monroe, Vigo, Bartholomew, and surrounding areas. Cities feeling the worst include Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Greenwood, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Lafayette, Bloomington, Muncie, Terre Haute, and Columbus.
Travel late tonight and Sunday morning along I-65, I-70, I-69, I-74, and I-465 will be marked by extreme cold, especially for drivers dealing with breakdowns or waiting for assistance. According to emergency management officials, residents should avoid unnecessary outdoor activity, dress in multiple layers, and fully cover exposed skin with hats, gloves, and face coverings. Children waiting for buses or attending early activities should be especially well protected.
The prolonged cold will strain heating systems and increase risks for pets and plumbing. Pets should be kept indoors, exposed pipes protected, and space heaters used safely with clear space around them. Neighbors who are elderly or without reliable heat should be checked on before temperatures drop further.
Wind chills slowly improve Sunday afternoon, but bitter winter cold lingers into early next week across Indiana.
