So, you're looking at the 10 day forecast Indianapolis and probably wondering if you should actually bother shoveling the driveway tonight.
Honestly? It depends on which hour you check.
Indiana weather in January is basically a game of atmospheric roulette. One minute we're staring at a "wintry whiplash" that drops us from the 50s into the teens, and the next, we're living inside a literal snow globe. If you're planning a commute or a weekend trip to the Circle City, you've got to look past the little snowflake icons on your phone. They don't tell the whole story.
Right now, as of January 15, 2026, we are deep in the grip of an Arctic air mass. It's not just "cold"—it's the kind of cold that makes your car's suspension creak.
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The Immediate Outlook: Clippers and Cold Fronts
Today started out with a deceptive bit of sun, but don't let that fool you. The National Weather Service in Indianapolis is tracking a series of "clipper" systems. These aren't massive, week-burying blizzards. Instead, they are fast-moving, pesky disturbances that roll in from the northwest.
- Tonight (Jan 15): Expect snow to arrive after 10 PM. Most of the city will see a coating to an inch, but if you’re heading north toward Lafayette, you might hit two inches.
- Friday (Jan 16): A weird little "warm" spike. We might hit 37°F or even 40°F for a few hours.
- The Friday Night Pivot: This is the big one. A much stronger Arctic front slams into the state Friday night.
That Friday night shift is where things get dicey for travelers. Meteorologists are watching "snow squall parameters." Basically, this means instead of a steady, polite snowfall, we could get sudden, intense bursts of snow and wind that drop visibility to near zero in seconds. If you're on I-465 when a squall hits, it’s not about how much snow is on the ground; it’s about the fact that you suddenly can't see the taillights of the truck ten feet in front of you.
Why the Next 10 Days Will Feel Like a Freezer
The long-term 10 day forecast Indianapolis shows a reinforcing shot of polar air by Sunday and Monday.
We’re looking at daytime highs that struggle to get out of the teens. On Monday, January 19, the high is projected at a measly 15°F, with a low of 5°F. When you add in the 17 mph winds coming off the plains, the wind chill—what it actually feels like on your skin—will be well below zero.
The Mid-Week "Break"
Around Wednesday, January 21, the jet stream tries to behave itself. We might see the mercury "climb" back to 32°F. In an Indiana January, 32 feels like t-shirt weather after a week of single digits. But don't put away the heavy coat.
By the following weekend (January 23-24), another system is expected to move through. The moisture from the south is going to interact with that lingering cold air. This usually results in that messy "winter mix" where you can't tell if it's raining, snowing, or just falling slush. The current data suggests a 35% chance of snow showers continuing through Saturday the 24th, with highs hovering right around the freezing mark.
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Common Misconceptions About Indianapolis Winter
Most people think "below average" means more snow. Actually, the Old Farmer's Almanac and local experts like WTHR's Lindsey Monroe have noted that while this January is trending colder than normal, it might actually be drier.
Polar air is incredibly dry. It’s hard to get those massive, "shut down the city" 12-inch snowfalls when the air is this brittle. What we get instead is "dry snow"—the powdery stuff that blows across the roads and creates black ice. It’s less about shoveling and more about the "flash freeze" on the ramps of I-65 and I-70.
Navigating the City: Practical Survival Tips
If you're visiting or just trying to survive the work week, keep these specific Indy-centric reality checks in mind:
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- The Wind Tunnel Effect: Downtown Indianapolis, specifically near Monument Circle and the Salesforce Tower, creates a wind tunnel. If the forecast says 15 mph winds, expect it to feel like 30 mph when you're walking between buildings.
- The Salt Limit: Road salt loses its effectiveness once temperatures drop below 15°F. During the coldest nights of this 10-day stretch (Sunday through Tuesday), don't assume the "wet" looking road is just water. It’s likely ice that the salt can't melt anymore.
- The Lake Effect Tail: Sometimes, heavy snow bands from Lake Michigan can snake all the way down to northern Marion County. If the wind is coming from the north-northwest, Hamilton County and the Northside might get dumped on while the Southside stays totally clear.
Looking Toward the End of the Month
As we move toward January 25, the models show a bit of stability. We'll likely stay in the high 20s or low 30s. It’s a "classic" Indiana winter pattern. Not quite a deep freeze, but definitely not a thaw either.
Check your tire pressure. Cold air causes the air inside your tires to contract, and you’ll likely see that annoying "low pressure" light on your dashboard the first morning it hits 10 degrees.
Keep an eye on the Friday night transition. That is the highest-risk window for travel in this entire 10-day period.
Actionable Next Steps
- Monitor the Snow Squall Warnings: Download a weather app that sends "Wireless Emergency Alerts." Snow squalls are localized and move fast; a 10-day forecast can't predict exactly where they’ll hit, but a radar-based alert can give you 15 minutes of crucial lead time.
- Winterize Your Vehicle: Ensure your windshield wiper fluid is the "de-icer" variety rated for -20°F. Standard blue fluid can actually freeze on your windshield while you're driving in these sub-zero wind chills.
- Check the Pothole Map: After the "warm" spike on Friday and the subsequent freeze on Saturday, Indy's roads will likely start to crumble. The freeze-thaw cycle is the primary creator of the city's infamous potholes.
Stay warm, and maybe keep an extra blanket in the trunk just in case. Indiana winters are predictable in their unpredictability.