Honestly, if you looked out your window in Indianapolis or Fort Wayne yesterday, you probably didn't see a winter wonderland. You likely saw a lot of grey, some puddles, and maybe a few stubborn piles of old, crusty ice in the shadows. People have been asking how much snow did indiana get yesterday with a mix of genuine curiosity and a bit of "wait, did I miss something?"
The short answer? Basically nothing.
While Indiana is famous for its "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes" reputation, Monday, January 12, 2026, was an outlier for a different reason. We were stuck in a weird warm pocket. Instead of the typical January lake-effect machines or sweeping clippers, much of the state was hovering in a temperature zone that made snow almost physically impossible.
The Disappearing Act: Why Snow Totals Were Flat
Yesterday wasn't about the snow we got; it was about the snow we didn't get. If you check the National Weather Service (NWS) archives for the 24-hour period ending early Tuesday morning, the maps are almost entirely blank across the Hoosier State.
South Bend? Zero. Indianapolis? Zero. Even the usual snow magnets up in the "Michiana" border region saw mostly damp pavement.
The culprit was a massive ridge of high pressure and a flow of unseasonably mild air from the southwest. In fact, some parts of the state saw highs climbing into the 40s and 50s. When the mercury is that high, the atmosphere essentially forgets how to make snowflakes.
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But it’s kinda funny how quickly things change. Just because yesterday was a wash doesn't mean the shovels can stay in the garage for long.
Recent Totals and Why You Might Be Confused
If you’re seeing reports of 10 or 11 inches, you're likely looking at historical data from the "Big One" back in early January 2025, or perhaps you're seeing forecasts for the coming days. It’s easy to get the dates mixed up when every other TikTok is a "weather alert" these days.
Actually, the most recent measurable snow for many was a dusting about three days ago. Since then, the "great melt" has been the headline.
The Lake Effect Ghost
Usually, when the rest of Indiana is dry, the northern tier—places like Gary, Michigan City, and Elkhart—get hammered by Lake Michigan. Yesterday, even those areas were quiet. The wind direction just wasn't right to trigger those intense narrow bands of snow.
That’s about to flip.
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Forecasters are currently watching a modest cold front that started slipping in late Tuesday morning. This is the "whiplash" effect we talk about in the Midwest. One day you're walking the dog in a light hoodie; the next, you're looking for your heavy thermal socks.
What the Experts Are Seeing Now
- Northern Indiana (South Bend/LaPorte): While yesterday was 0.0 inches, the NWS has issued a Winter Storm Watch starting Wednesday morning. We’re looking at a potential 4 to 9 inches in the heaviest lake-effect bands.
- Central Indiana (Indy/Carmel/Fishers): Mostly just clouds and a few stray rain showers yesterday. The transition to a rain-snow mix is expected later this week, but yesterday's official tally remains a big fat zero.
- Southern Indiana (Evansville/Bloomington): It felt more like March than January. No snow to report, just damp grass and mild breezes.
Why "Yesterday" Matters for Tomorrow
Understanding how much snow did indiana get yesterday helps set the stage for the mess that's coming. Because the ground was so warm yesterday, the first few hours of the next snowstorm might not even stick. It'll hit the warm pavement, melt, and then—here’s the dangerous part—freeze solid as the sun goes down and the temperatures plummet.
It's called a "flash freeze," and it’s arguably worse than a foot of snow.
Matt Standridge and other local meteorologists have been hammering home this "gradual return to winter" narrative. We aren't getting hit with a sudden Arctic blast like the one that dropped 50 degrees in 12 hours back in 2025, but the moisture is definitely returning.
Your Winter Reality Check
If you’re planning on driving I-65 or I-70 in the next 48 hours, don't let yesterday’s clear roads fool you.
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- Check the "Snow-to-Liquid" Ratio: When we do get snow later this week, it's expected to be the "heavy, wet" kind (about 11:1 or 12:1 ratio). That's the stuff that breaks heart-rates and plastic shovels.
- Watch the Lake Bands: If you live within 20 miles of the lake, your "yesterday" and "tomorrow" will look like two different planets.
- Mind the Black Ice: Since we had rain and melting yesterday, any standing water is going to turn into a skating rink tonight.
Basically, Indiana spent yesterday catching its breath. The "snow hole" we were in is closing fast. While the official reports show 0 inches for January 12 across nearly every county, the atmospheric gears are already turning for a much whiter Wednesday and Thursday.
Keep an eye on the NWS regional offices in Northern Indiana (IWX) and Indianapolis (IND) for the most granular updates, as these lake-effect bands can shift five miles and change your day from "mostly cloudy" to "trapped in the driveway."
For now, enjoy the fact that you didn't have to scrape your windshield yesterday—it’s probably the last time that happens for a while.
Next Steps for Hoosiers:
Prepare for a significant shift in conditions by Wednesday morning. If you are in the northern third of the state, ensure your snow removal equipment is fueled and ready, as lake-effect accumulation can occur rapidly. For those in Central Indiana, monitor local bridge conditions tonight for ice patches following yesterday’s moisture and the incoming temperature drop.