Honestly, if you’ve lived in Indy for more than five minutes, you know the weather here has a mind of its own. One day you're scraping ice off your windshield at 4:00 AM, and the next, you're wondering if it's too early to look for your light jacket. Looking at the 20 day forecast Indianapolis right now, things are looking pretty intense, and frankly, a bit bitey.
It’s currently 12°F out there as of late Saturday night, but with that west wind, it actually feels like 1°F. If you’re planning to be out tonight, just don’t. Or at least, layer up like you’re heading to the arctic.
The Immediate Chill: Sunday through Tuesday
Today, Sunday, January 18, is bringing more of that "light snow" energy. We’re looking at a high of 23°F and a low of 12°F. You’ve probably noticed the clouds aren't going anywhere; there’s about a 20% chance of snow showers tonight too.
Monday is going to be the real test. It’s expected to be the coldest day of this stretch. Highs will struggle to reach 15°F, and the overnight low is hitting a single-digit 8°F. With 16 mph winds coming from the west, the wind chill is going to be brutal—think -10°F to -15°F. Basically, it’s the kind of cold that hurts your face the second you step out of the door.
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Tuesday stays cold with a low of 8°F again, though we might see a high of 28°F. It’s sunny, but don't let the sun fool you. It’s still Indiana in January.
A Brief (Very Brief) Warm-up
There is a weird little bump in the 20 day forecast Indianapolis that happens around Wednesday, January 21. We might actually see 39°F.
- Wednesday: High of 39°F, Low of 23°F (Partly sunny)
- Thursday: High of 25°F, Low of 20°F (Back to the freezer)
- Friday: High of 34°F, Low of 21°F (More snow showers likely)
It’s a classic Hoosier rollercoaster. That Wednesday "warmth" is likely just a precursor to more active weather. By the time we hit the weekend of January 24, we’re back down to highs in the mid-20s.
What the Long-Range Data Suggests
Looking further out toward the end of January and the start of February, the pattern suggests we stay in this "colder than average" groove. History shows that January 29 is typically the coldest day of the year for us, with average lows around 22°F, but 2026 is leaning even harder into the frost.
We are currently under a weak La Niña influence. Historically, that means Indiana gets a bit more "active" in terms of precipitation. We saw that on January 14 when those snow squalls hammered the region with 40-60 mph gusts and zero visibility. You should expect more of those sudden, high-intensity snow bursts over the next two weeks rather than just one giant, predictable blizzard.
Surprising Details About Indy Winters
Most people think we just get "snow," but it’s the "flash freeze" that actually ruins your Tuesday. When we have a day like Wednesday hitting 39°F followed by a drop to 20°F on Thursday, any slush on the roads turns into a sheet of glass.
The National Weather Service has been keeping a close eye on the upper-level trough that's parked over the CONUS. As long as that stays put, we’re going to keep getting these surges of Arctic air.
Honestly, the "20 day" part of a forecast is always a bit of a gamble. Meteorologists at KIND (Indianapolis International) are seeing a lot of moisture coming from the Upper Mississippi Valley. This doesn't always mean "inches of snow," but it does mean high humidity (around 55-64%) which makes the cold feel much "wetter" and more draining than a dry, mountain cold.
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Practical Steps for the Next 20 Days
First, check your tire pressure. This kind of 40-degree swing in temperature will make your "low pressure" light pop up faster than you can say "Circle City."
Second, if you’re commuting on I-65 or I-70, keep a small bag of sand or kitty litter in the trunk. The lake-effect bands from the north sometimes reach further south than the apps predict, and those 20-30 mph gusts can create whiteout conditions in seconds.
Keep an eye on Wednesday’s thermal profile. If that 39°F comes with rain before the Thursday freeze, Thursday morning’s commute will be a nightmare. Stick to the basics: layers, full gas tank, and maybe an extra blanket in the back seat.
Stay warm out there. Indianapolis winters are a marathon, not a sprint.