Indianapolis, IN
First snow, 40 mph freezing wind gusts coming to Indiana. How it could affect your Thursday
Eight winter driving tips
Roads can become hazardous in the winter as snow and ice accumulate. Here are a few tips to help keep you safe.
Wochit
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.
.jpg?environment=live&width=1200&height=630&fit=crop&ssl=1 "Meza takes Trans Am TA2 victory at Indianapolis")
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — On Sunday’s edition of “All INdiana Politics,” WISH-TV Government Reporter Garrett Bergquist weighs in on Max Engling winning the nomination for secretary of state from Indiana’s GOP.
Later, Bergquist breaks down United Way’s 2026 ALICE report, which found that 40% of Indiana households can’t afford cost of living.
Last but not least, Bergquist sits down with Democrat Lindsey Haake and Republican Whitley Yates to discuss the race for Indiana secretary of state, the ALICE report, and the fragile peace deal between Iran and the U.S.
“All INdiana Politics” airs at 9:30 a.m. Sundays on WISH-TV.
CINCINNATI — The Savannah Bananas are back in Cincinnati, but this year they face a new opponent: the Indianapolis Clowns.
The Clowns were implemented into Banana Ball this season to honor the original Negro League team that played from the 1930s to 1989. The team also had stints in Miami (Florida) and here in Cincinnati as the Ethiopian and Cincinnati Clowns.
Rashawn Merchant
So, when 93-year-old West Chester resident Myra Merchant heard the Clowns were coming to town, she said she was shocked.
“It brings back a lot of beautiful memories,” she said.
Merchant’s husband, Henry Lewis “Speed” Merchant, was an outfielder for the original Clowns team. He coined the nickname “Speed” because of his pace on the bases.
WATCH: Meet the family of Indianapolis Clowns legend Henry Lewis “Speed” Merchant
The Savannah Bananas are back in Cincinnati, but their opponents hit home for one family
In 1950, he won the title for most stolen bases in a single season with 45 bases stolen in 80 games.
“(He) was a hell of a ball player,” Merchant said of her late husband. “He could run, he was a beautiful runner.”
“Speed” died of prostate cancer in 1982, but even four decades later, at the Merchant family’s table, sit dozens of photos and memorabilia — a physical record of a legacy Merchant refuses to let fade.
Noelle Blumel
“I can’t help it, it’s part of history,” she said. “I thank God he had a chance to prove himself in the Negro League.”
Their three children, Charisse, Herma Jean and Rashawn Merchant, still live in the Cincinnati area as well and remember the tricks he used to do as a player.
“They came up with tricks (like) hiding the ball and digging into the dirt and coming up (with it),” Charisse said.
Charisse added that even after his time as a player, their father would still perform the tricks from time to time.
“He just knew how to do so many things,” Rashawn said. “He could take the baseball and roll it down his shoulder… could catch the ball behind his back, over his head.”
Myra Merchant
Myra said the tricks, in addition to the baseball, made the games a joyful spectacle.
“There was laughter and fun in the game, the way they played it, and it was enjoyable,” Merchant said.
That enjoyment, however, came with adversity. The Clowns often had to perform in the face of open discrimination.
“It was rough,” Charisse said. “(Going to) certain places to eat, they would send whoever was the lightest-skinned guy on the team. He would go to the back and get the sandwiches or whatever to eat.”
The hostility didn’t stop there.
“Players being thrown ice, (patrons) would throw the bottles at them,” Charisse said. “But (the players) kept going and they would win the game and hurry up and get on the bus.”
Charisse added that sometimes the players could not change out of their jerseys after games because they had to leave the hostile environment immediately to avoid things escalating.
Myra described the era with unflinching clarity.
“Prejudice, back in the, the ’30s and ’40s, and even a lot of times in the ’50s, that prejudice was still there,” she said. “And you had to endure it, take it, smile and keep going.”
When asked what made the players want to keep going, Myra’s answer was immediate.
“I’ll put it this way, our Lord came here, and he knew what he had to endure,” she said. “He kept going, and that’s what the Black man has done. He kept going. Because had he stopped, where would he have been today?”
Charisse and Rashawn echoed that sentiment.
“He loved the game. It was just in his blood, and that’s what he wanted to do,” they said.
Now with a new generation of the Clowns making headlines, the Merchant family said their hope is that the fans and players know about the pioneers who wore the name first.
Rashawn Merchant
“I thank God because it lives on. He’s part of history. And it lives on through the children and every Black player. Every Black man that came through hell,” Myra said.
Charisse and Rashawn said they want that history to be part of the celebration.
“Just remember that it started through a lot of hardship, that it wasn’t all fun and games,” Rashawn said. “There’s a history there and all of it’s not the best, but they made the best of what they had.”
Myra said the struggles they went through, though grueling, are part of what makes America a great country.
“They were part of America. That’s what makes America great, and it is a great country,” she said. “This is a melting pot of beautiful colors. She have her problems — What country has none? But we can solve them together, united as one.”
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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