Indianapolis, IN – Indianapolis residents experienced near spring-like weather today as temperatures surged to 66 degrees, officially setting a new daily record and marking an extremely rare late-December milestone.
According to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, the high of 66° not only broke the previous record for the day, but also marked just the second time in recorded history that Indianapolis has reached 65 degrees or warmer after Christmas. The only other occurrence happened nearly 150 years ago in 1875.
Meteorologists say the unusual warmth was driven by a strong southerly flow pulling mild air into central Indiana, combined with a lack of snow cover and persistent cloud breaks that allowed temperatures to climb well above seasonal averages.
For comparison, average high temperatures in Indianapolis during the final week of December typically hover in the mid-30s, making today’s reading more than 30 degrees above normal.
While residents welcomed the brief warmth, forecasters caution that the pattern is not expected to last. Cooler air is projected to return later this week, bringing temperatures closer to typical winter conditions. No immediate winter storms are expected, but fluctuating temperatures could impact travel and overnight refreezing in the days ahead.
The National Weather Service emphasized that while single-day records don’t define long-term climate trends, the frequency of warm extremes continues to draw attention during winter months across the Midwest.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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