Honestly, if you looked out the window in downtown Indy this afternoon, you might’ve thought we were getting off easy. The sun poked through for a second, and the roads looked mostly clear. But don't let that fool you. As of Thursday night, January 15, 2026, things are shifting fast. While the "big one" is mostly walloping our neighbors to the north near the lake, Central Indiana is currently caught in a messy cycle of clipper systems and "snow globe" conditions that are making the roads a lot more treacherous than they look.
We aren't talking about two feet of snow here. Not for us. But the latest Central Indiana winter storm updates show a series of quick-hitting disturbances that are dropping just enough moisture to turn I-65 and I-70 into skating rinks. It's that thin, deceptive layer of "black ice" and a fresh dusting that catches people off guard every single time.
What’s Actually Happening Right Now?
Basically, we’re living inside a snow globe. That’s how WTHR’s Matt Standridge described it, and honestly, it fits. A massive area of low pressure is just sitting over the Great Lakes, spinning like a top. Every time it wobbles, it throws a "clipper" system down into Indiana.
We had one hit Wednesday that caused some absolute chaos for the morning rush. In fact, NWS Chicago reported snow squalls with 60 mph winds that dropped visibility to basically zero in a matter of seconds. If you were driving near Gary or Valparaiso, you saw it. Dozens of cars were sliding off the roads.
For the Indianapolis metro area and surrounding counties like Hamilton, Boone, and Hancock, the immediate concern is the clipper arriving tonight. It’s expected to dump anywhere from a dusting to 2 inches through Friday morning.
The Snow Totals (So Far)
- Lafayette to Kokomo: These areas are the "fringe" of the heavier stuff. You’re looking at a solid 1–2 inches by Friday morning.
- Indianapolis Metro: Expect a coating to maybe an inch. It sounds like nothing, right? Wrong.
- Northern Indiana (South Bend/Porter County): They’re getting the real deal. Some spots have already measured over 10 inches, and lake-effect bands could push that toward 18 inches before it's all said and done.
The Wind Chill is the Real Villain
Temperature-wise, we’re hovering in the 20s. That’s standard January stuff. But the wind is the part that’s going to bite you. We’re expecting gusts that’ll push wind chills down into the single digits—and potentially below zero—by the time we hit the weekend.
If your furnace is already struggling, tonight isn't the night to test it. Duke Energy already reported over 3,000 outages across the state today, mostly centered in Bartholomew County after a tree took out a transmission line. While they’ve got most of that back up, these gusty winds aren't done with us yet.
Road Conditions and "Indy Snow Force"
The city is already moving. Indy Snow Force crews are out pre-treating the main drags like Keystone Avenue and Washington Street. But here’s the kicker: salt doesn’t work as well when the temps bottom out.
If you’re heading out Friday morning, give yourself an extra 20 minutes. Seriously. The NWS is warning that "untreated surfaces" will be incredibly slippery. You might see a clear patch of pavement that’s actually a sheet of ice.
INDOT is also reminding everyone of the "Ice and Snow, Take it Slow" mantra. It's a cliché for a reason. If you have an SUV with four-wheel drive, don't get cocky. 4WD helps you go; it does not help you stop on ice.
Emergency Resources to Bookmark
If you’re stuck or need to report a downed tree in Indy, call the Mayor’s Action Center at 317-327-4622. If it’s after hours, hit option 2 for DPW dispatch.
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For real-time road conditions, don't rely on a weather app that updates once an hour. Use the Indy Snow Force Viewer to see exactly which streets have been plowed in the last few hours. It’s surprisingly accurate and can save you from turning down an unplowed side street.
Looking Toward the MLK Holiday Weekend
The pattern isn't breaking anytime soon. We’ve got another round of snow showers likely Friday night into Saturday. It’s just going to be a "nickel and dime" kind of week where we keep getting small accumulations that never quite melt off.
The good news? The jet stream might finally push north by mid-next week, giving us a brief thaw with highs potentially reaching the 40s or even 50 degrees by Tuesday.
But until then, stay bundled. Check on your neighbors, especially the ones who might struggle to clear their sidewalks.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check Your Tires: Cold air makes tire pressure drop. If your "low pressure" light is on, fill them up now before the temp drops further.
- Kit Up: Throw a blanket, a small shovel, and some kitty litter (for traction) in your trunk. It sounds like overkill until you're the one stuck in a Kroger parking lot.
- App Updates: Download the Duke Energy app or text "REG" to 57801 so you can report power outages instantly if the wind gets worse.
- Slow Down: Seriously. Just because the speed limit says 55 doesn't mean it’s safe at 55.