Indianapolis, IN

First snow, 40 mph freezing wind gusts coming to Indiana. How it could affect your Thursday

Published

2 years ago

November 20, 2024

First snow, 40 mph freezing wind gusts coming to Indiana. How it could affect your Thursday

Central Indiana is poised to see its first accumulating snowfall of the year Thursday thanks to a cold front blowing into the Midwest beginning Wednesday.

Despite earlier reports the snow might not stick around, forecasters with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis now predict 1-2 inches of snow could accumulate in the Indy metro area, potentially impacting Thursday’s rush hour traffic.

Here’s what Hoosiers living in Central Indiana can expect.

When will it start snowing in Central Indiana?

Meteorologists said Central Indiana could see light snow falling Wednesday night into Thursday morning, followed by a second round of snow beginning around 4 p.m. Thursday.

Gusty winds and snow could impact Hoosier’s commute Thursday

Along with the frosty weather, forecasters said Hoosiers should brace for strong, freezing winds that might reduce visibility on some roads.

“We’re looking at wind gusts in the 40 mph range peaking around (Thursday afternoon), so that could cause some lower visibilities than what we usually see with these snow rates,” said NWS meteorologist Aaron Updike, who urged motorists to take caution and stay up to date with the weather.

“The snowfall should be pretty compact so it shouldn’t drift much, but whenever you get these high winds, you can have slicker roads,” Updike said. “If you’re traveling to and from work Thursday, just make sure you’re giving yourself extra time.”

How much snow could Indianapolis, Indiana, get?

Some areas of Central Indiana could see 1-2 inches of snow on the ground late Thursday, while areas north of Indianapolis into Kokomo might receive 2-3 inches, according to a social media post by NWS.

The heaviest snowfall is expected to occur Thursday afternoon into Thursday night.

“That’s going to make for a pretty dreary and cold Thursday,” said NWS meteorologist Andrew White on Tuesday. “Wind chills are going to be in the upper teens across portions of Central Indiana.”

Temperatures later into the week are expected to remain cold, with highs predicted to be in the upper 30s to mid 40s Friday into Sunday.

Live weather radar for Central Indiana

Weather forecast for Central Indiana, per NWS

🌧️ Wednesday: Showers, mainly before noon. Steady temperature around 46. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

🌧️❄️ Wednesday night: Scattered rain and snow showers before midnight, then scattered rain showers between midnight and 2 a.m., then snow showers likely after 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 31. West wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

❄️ Thursday: Snow showers before 5 p.m., then snow showers, possibly mixed with rain. Steady temperature around 33. West wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

❄️🌧️ Thursday night: Snow, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 7 p.m. Low around 32. North northwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

❄️🌧️ Friday: A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 10 a.m., then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 45. West northwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

☁️ Friday night: Cloudy, with a low around 36. West northwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

☁️ Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. West wind around 8 mph.

☁️ Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

🌤️ Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Light south wind becoming south southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.

🌧️ Sunday night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. South southwest wind around 8 mph.

🌧️ Monday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

🌧️ Monday night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

🌧️ Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50.

Story continues after photo gallery.

How to prevent frozen pipes

To keep pipes from freezing Citizens Energy group recommends taking these steps:

If the indoor temperature drops as low as 55 degrees, open your faucets slightly so they constantly drip.
Open cabinet doors below sinks to let warm air circulate around the pipes.
Insulate pipes that may be exposed to cold air.
Make sure the lid on your water meter pit is secured tightly. If your water meter is in the basement, ensure the area is heated and check for broken windows.
If you have piping in the garage, ensure the garage doors stay closed and try to insulate the pipes.
Know where your water shut-off valve is so you can turn the water off quickly in the event a pipe bursts. Those valves can be found in the garage, basement, utility closet or main entry for the water line into your house.

Signs your have frozen pipes:

Your faucets won’t flow and your toilets won’t refill after a flush
A water line is coated in frost or is bulging

What to do if your pipes freeze

In the event that you identify a frozen pipe, here is what Citizens Energy recommends you do:

Turn off the water at the shut-off valve.
Open the faucet attached to the frozen pipe to allow water to flow through and relieve pressure buildup. Running water through the pipe will also help melt any remaining ice.
Apply gradual heat to the section of frozen pipe. That can be done by wrapping the pipes in bath towels or using a space heater to heat up the area where the pipes are located. Keep applying heat until the water pressure is restored and the water flows through freely. Make sure to never apply direct heat to the affected area.
If a pipe is bulging or you can’t find the location of the blockage, then call a licensed plumber.

John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.

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Indianapolis, IN

Quiet and comfortable tonight with the heat gradually returning this week | July 12, 2026

Published

38 minutes ago

July 12, 2026

Press Room

TONIGHT

Mostly clear and pleasantly mild by July standards, with lows falling into the mid to upper 60s. A northeast breeze around 5 to 10 mph gradually diminishes overnight. It is a great evening for taking a walk, sitting outside, or simply opening the windows for a while before the more typical summer warmth returns.

TOMORROW

Sunny and warmer, with highs reaching the upper 80s. A light northeast breeze around 5 to 10 mph keeps the day from feeling too humid, and this looks like another dependable summer day for outdoor plans. After the active and occasionally stormy weather of the past week, central Indiana gets a nice stretch of quiet weather to begin the workweek.

TOMORROW NIGHT

Mostly clear and a little warmer, with lows settling into the upper 60s. Winds become light overnight, and there are no meaningful weather concerns. The warmer nighttime temperatures are the first hint that a hotter pattern is beginning to build.

TUESDAY

Mostly sunny and hot, with highs around 90 degrees. A light east to southeast breeze develops during the afternoon, and humidity becomes a little more noticeable. It is still a very usable summer day, but if you have plans that involve being outside for long periods, make sure to have plenty of water nearby.

TUESDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear and increasingly muggy, with lows holding in the low 70s. There will be noticeably less overnight relief than earlier in the week, and air conditioners will be working a little harder by daybreak Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY

Sunny and hot, with highs climbing into the low 90s. A light southwest breeze develops in the afternoon, and rising humidity may push heat index values into the upper 90s. For those heading downtown for events, concerts, or the Indiana Fever home game Wednesday evening, it will be one of those classic midsummer days where the heat sticks around well into the evening hours.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear and warm, with lows near 72 and a light southwest breeze. The hot and somewhat muggy pattern remains firmly in place overnight, with very little cooling after sunset.

THURSDAY

Partly sunny, hot, and more humid, with highs again in the low 90s. A light southwest breeze continues, and there may be just enough instability for an isolated afternoon shower or thunderstorm. Most places stay dry, but this begins the transition toward a slightly more unsettled pattern heading into the end of the week.

7 DAY FORECAST

The quiet weather pattern continues through midweek, but temperatures steadily climb from the upper 80s Monday to the low 90s by Wednesday and Thursday. Humidity also returns, making it feel closer to 100 degrees at times during the afternoons. Rain chances remain very low through Wednesday before isolated storm chances begin creeping back into the forecast Thursday and Friday. The biggest story this week is not severe weather, but rather the return of summer heat and humidity across central Indiana.

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Indianapolis, IN

Woman Injured in Shooting at Indianapolis Hotel

Published

11 hours ago

July 12, 2026

Press Room

Woman Injured in Shooting at Indianapolis Hotel

INDIANAPOLIS — A shooting that injured a woman at a hotel on Indianapolis’ south side Saturday night is under investigation.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said officers were called to the Motel 6 in the 4300 block of Southport Crossings Way just after 9:30 p.m. on a report of a person shot.

Arriving officers found a woman who had been shot. She was reported to be in stable condition.

Investigators believe there was an altercation between the woman and a man in a hotel room that led to shots being fired.

No other information about the incident has been released by police.

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis council president calls for pause on data center developments

Published

21 hours ago

July 11, 2026

Press Room

Indianapolis council president calls for pause on data center developments

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis City-County Council president explains her desire for a data center moratorium.

Council President Maggie Lewis wants to put a pause on new data center developments. The proposal comes after months of public pressure from residents and environmental groups who say the city needs stronger rules before allowing more data centers. Now, Lewis says it’s time to hit pause while those questions are answered.

“I’m not saying that we’ll never have a new data center in our community. That’s not what this is about. I understand the importance of economic development in our community, but it is important that we hit pause, do that deep dive, and allow the community and the experts to have an honest conversation about the topic,” Lewis said.

Lewis says she isn’t trying to stop economic development. Instead, she says the city needs more time to fully understand what data centers could mean for Indianapolis before approving additional projects. Lewis says residents have raised questions about the potential impact on utilities, the environment and quality of life, and she believes those concerns deserve a more thorough public discussion before the city moves forward with additional developments.

“The community really is feeling as if their voices haven’t been heard. I believe it’s important that we bring all the stakeholders to the table and have that honest dialogue,” Lewis said.

Councilman Ron Gibson, who supports bringing data centers to Indianapolis, and he says these projects can bring investment to neighborhoods when they’re built in the right locations.

“This land where they’re going to actually develop it has been vacant for more than 43 years,” Gibson said. “It’s zoned for industrial use. This is really going to enhance our neighborhood. It’s going to bring back life, create more businesses that want to move into our area, and create more opportunity.”

(WISH Photo)

One of the biggest concerns raised by opponents is whether increased demand for electricity and water could create additional costs for taxpayers.

“I believe strongly that the data centers must uphold total costs. I made sure the developer, in writing, is responsible for all utility costs, so none of that rolls over to constituents,” Gibson said.

Across Indiana, at least 17 counties have approved temporary moratoriums on new data center developments. Marshall and Cass counties have gone even further, banning new facilities altogether.

The committee meeting begins Monday at 5:30 p.m. inside the City-County Building, where members will hold a public hearing on the proposed zoning rules and consider Lewis’ amendment for a temporary moratorium. If approved by the committee, the proposal would move to the full City-County Council for further consideration.

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