Honestly, if you're looking out the window in Indy right now, it looks like a standard, moody winter morning. But don't let that quiet skyline fool you. The Indianapolis weather today is basically a two-act play, and the first act is already starting to mess with the morning drive.
We are currently sitting at a crisp 20°F, though with that 8 mph breeze coming from the south, it feels more like 10°F. You've probably felt that bite the second you stepped outside to start the car.
The Snow Situation: What’s Actually Happening
The big story for Friday, January 16, 2026, is the snow. It isn't a massive blizzard, but it's enough to be annoying. The National Weather Service in Indianapolis is tracking two distinct pulses of moisture moving through Central Indiana.
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The first batch is rolling through right now. Expect about 0.5 to 1.5 inches of accumulation before lunch. While that doesn't sound like much, the timing is terrible for the commute. Roads are slick. Bridges are worse.
Why the Afternoon Might Surprise You
Later today, we’re actually going to "warm up" to a high of 37°F. That's a weird spot to be in. It's just warm enough to turn some of that morning snow into a slushy mess, but keep your eyes on the sky around mid-afternoon.
A second round of snow is expected to develop, and this one is "convective." That’s a fancy way of saying we might see snow squalls. These are brief but intense bursts of heavy snow that can drop visibility to near zero in seconds. If you're heading home early to beat the weekend rush, you might drive right into one.
The wind is also picking up. We're looking at 14 mph gusts from the southwest, which will keep the air feeling much colder than the thermometer says.
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Real-World Impacts for Your Friday
- Morning Commute: Expect delays. Most of the accumulation is happening north of I-70, but the downtown loop is already showing some grease on the ramps.
- Afternoon Squalls: Between 2 PM and 5 PM, visibility could drop suddenly. If you see a wall of white while driving on I-465, slow down immediately.
- The Weekend Cliff: Enjoy that 37°F while it lasts. Tonight, we drop back down to 25°F with lingering light snow, and by Sunday, we’re looking at sub-zero wind chills.
Basically, today is about layers and patience. The humidity is hovering around 62%, making the air feel heavy and damp. It’s the kind of cold that gets into your bones despite the "high" temperature.
Actionable Tips for Navigating Indy Today
Check your washer fluid level before you leave work. With the salt hitting the roads and the temps hovering near freezing, your windshield is going to be a blurry, grey mess of spray. Also, if you’re planning on dinner in Broad Ripple or downtown tonight, maybe grab an Uber. Between the slush and the potential for a quick half-inch of "surprise" snow this evening, parking and navigating side streets will be a headache.
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Keep an eye on the radar around 3 PM. That’s when the second round of snow showers is predicted to kick in, potentially making the evening rush harder than the morning one.