So, if you’re living in Indy right now, you already know the vibe. It’s that deep-winter stretch where the sky stays a flat, uninspiring gray and your car takes ten minutes just to stop shivering. Honestly, looking at the ten day weather forecast Indianapolis is giving us right now, we’re about to hit the "polar fleece and heavy boots" part of the season in a big way.
We are currently sitting at a crisp 19°F, but it feels more like 9°F thanks to a light south wind. If you thought that was the worst of it, I’ve got some news. An arctic front is sweeping through, and it’s basically going to redefine "cold" for us over the next week.
Breaking Down the Ten Day Weather Forecast Indianapolis
Friday is starting off with a bit of drama. We’re looking at snow with a 48% chance of precipitation during the day. The high hits 38°F, which is actually the warmest we’re going to see for a while. It’s that wet, slushy snow that makes the morning commute on I-465 a total headache. By Friday night, the temperature drops to 24°F, and the clouds just hang there, refusing to leave.
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The Saturday Slide
Tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, is when the real arctic air settles in. The high only reaches 26°F, and the low plunges to 14°F. It’ll be mostly sunny, which is a nice break for the eyes, but don’t let the blue sky fool you. With west winds at 15 mph, that wind chill is going to be brutal.
Sunday gets even tighter. High of 23°F, low of 11°F. It’s just cold. No other way to put it.
The Mid-Week Deep Freeze
Monday, January 19, is likely the day everyone is going to be talking about. We’re looking at a high of only 15°F and a low of 7°F. That is properly freezing. You’ve basically got to layer up just to check the mail. Tuesday keeps that 7°F low, though the daytime high manages to crawl back up to 31°F.
Wait, it gets weirder.
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Wednesday brings another round of snow (35% chance) with a high of 37°F. It’s this weird see-saw pattern where we jump ten degrees, it snows, and then we drop right back into the freezer.
Late Week Snow Chances
- Thursday, Jan 22: Light snow, high of 30°F, low of 25°F.
- Friday, Jan 23: Snow showers continue, high of 35°F.
- Saturday, Jan 24: More of the same, gray skies and 35°F.
That Sunday Night Surprise
If you’re planning anything for next Sunday, January 25, pay attention to the overnight shift. While the day is sunny with a high of 30°F, the low is forecasted to hit -1°F. Yes, sub-zero. That’s the kind of cold that cracks pavement and makes your pipes nervous.
The wind will be coming from the northwest at 13 mph, so the actual "feels like" temperature is going to be something you definitely don't want to stand around in.
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How to Actually Prep for This
Look, an Indianapolis January isn't for the faint of heart. Most people get the basics wrong—they wait until the sub-zero night to drip their faucets or check their battery. Don't be that person.
First, check your tire pressure now. When the temp drops from 38°F to 7°F in forty-eight hours, your "low pressure" light is going to scream at you. It’s just physics. Second, keep a real shovel in the trunk. The slush we’re getting Friday is going to freeze solid by Saturday morning, and if you don’t clear it, your driveway will be an ice rink until February.
Lastly, watch those wind directions. We’re seeing a lot of southwest and west winds early on, but when it shifts northwest next Sunday, that’s when the "knife-like" cold really starts. Stay warm, Indy.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Clear your Friday slush before sunset to avoid a "flash freeze" ice sheet on your walkway.
- Check your antifreeze levels and car battery health before the Monday morning 7°F start.
- Drip your furthest faucets on Sunday night, January 25, when the temperature hits that -1°F low.