Will it snow this week in Indiana? The NWS has a freezing weather forecast

On November 19, 2024By Littum

Central Indiana could see its first snowflakes this week thanks to a cold front blowing through the Midwest from Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

Along with cooler, frostier weather, warmers along National Weather Service in Indianapolis Hoosiers can also expect strong, freezing winds with gusts of 30-40 mph.

“We’re definitely looking at a much cooler stretch from the middle of the week into the weekend, with the potential for some snow across the Indianapolis area,” NWS meteorologist Andrew White said.

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

Will it snow this week in Indianapolis?

Forecasters say the Indianapolis area is ready for snow this week despite above-normal temperatures Monday, which will hover in the mid-60s. The best time frame for freezing weather, according to White, is late Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

“It’s going to be chilly,” White said. “We expect the temperatures to be right around 32 degrees on Thursday morning.”

That doesn’t mean Hoosiers will wake up to a “winter wonderland,” though.

Snow around Indianapolis is not expected to accumulate, according to the NWS

From Monday seven day forecastmeteorologists do not expect the snow to last. White said precipitation Wednesday and Thursday will be a mix of rain and light snow, which will likely melt once it hits the pavement.

Strong, freezing gusts of wind with a cold front are expected, per NWS

Something Hoosiers might want to watch for, according to meteorologists, are windy conditions expected to blow in with the cold front.

“We’re expecting gusts of 30-40 mph,” White warned. “It’s going to be a pretty dreary and cold Thursday. There will be chills in the upper teens across parts of Central Indiana.”

Temperatures after Thursday are expected to remain cold, with highs expected to be in the upper 30s to mid-40s Friday through Sunday.

Live weather radar for Central Indiana

Weather forecast for Central Indiana, per NWS

Monday: Chance of showers or sprinkles before 13.00, then a slight chance of showers between 13.00 and at 3:00 PM Cloudy, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday evening: Showers, mainly after 1 AM Low around 57. Southeast wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, then becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Southwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. The chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall totals of less than one-tenth of an inch, except for heavier amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday evening: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. West northwest wind around 6 mph.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. West wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Wednesday evening: Chance of rain showers before 1 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., then a chance of snow showers after 04.00. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday: Chance of snow showers before 1 p.m., then rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. West northwest wind 15 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday evening: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. 1 AM Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. West northwest wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 49 mph.

Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 1 PM Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. West northwest wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Friday evening: A 30 percent chance of showers before noon. 1 AM Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. West northwest wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42.

Saturday evening: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high of nearly 46.

The story continues after the photo gallery.

How to prevent frozen pipes

To prevent the pipes from freezing Citizens Energy Group recommends taking these steps:

If the indoor temperature drops as low as 55 degrees, turn your faucets on slightly so they drip continuously.
Open cabinet doors under the sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.
Insulate pipes that may be exposed to cold air.
Make sure the lid of your water meter well is attached tightly. If your water meter is in the basement, make sure the area is heated and check for broken windows.
If you have piping in the garage, make sure the garage doors remain closed and try to insulate the piping.
Know where your water shut-off valve is so you can quickly shut off the water in the event of a pipe burst. These valves can be found in the garage, basement, utility closet, or main entrance to the water line into your house.

Signs you have frozen pipes:

Your faucets won’t flow and your toilets won’t refill after a flush
A water pipe is covered with frost or dents

What to do if your pipes freeze

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

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

John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at [email protected]. Find him on BlueSky on JohnWritesStuff.