Honestly, people usually think about Sullivan and picture a quiet, steady pace of life. But if you've lived here through a few seasons, you know the weather is anything but predictable. It’s kinda wild. One day you’re checking the garden for frost, and the next, you're tracking a supercell on the radar.
Right now, we're deep in the January freeze. As of tonight, January 17, 2026, the temperature in Sullivan is sitting at a crisp 15°F. But that doesn't tell the whole story. With the wind coming out of the west at 9 mph, the "feels like" temperature is actually a biting 3°F. It's the kind of cold that finds the gap in your scarf immediately.
The sky is partly cloudy, and there's just a slim 11% chance of snow right now. But don't get too comfortable.
The January Reality Check
Tomorrow, Sunday, isn't going to be much of a heatwave. We are looking at a high of 24°F and a low of 12°F. It'll be cloudy for the most part, with a 10% chance of snow during the day and a 20% chance at night.
Basically, it's typical Indiana winter—grey and chilly.
If you’re looking ahead, Monday is going to be the real test. The high is only expected to reach 14°F, and the low will drop to a single digit 7°F. You'll want to make sure your pipes are protected because that sustained cold is no joke.
By Wednesday, things shift. We might actually hit 42°F. That’s a nearly 30-degree swing in 48 hours. That's Sullivan for you.
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Why Sullivan Weather is So Intense
It’s not just the winter cold that defines us. Sullivan has a history of weather that leaves a mark.
Most of us still remember March 31, 2023. That was the night the EF3 tornado tore through, leaving a path of destruction over 40 miles long. It hit the southern and eastern edges of Robinson, Illinois, before crossing the Wabash and devastating our town.
It wasn't just a storm. It was 165 mph winds. Six people lost their lives that night, and more than 200 structures were destroyed.
People around here used to think the 200-foot Merom Bluff on the Wabash River acted like a shield. "The hills will break it up," they'd say. That night proved that the weather doesn't care about old local myths.
Historical Patterns and Shifting Trends
If you look at the data from the National Weather Service, our climate is changing in ways that actually affect how we farm and live.
- Wetter Seasons: Since 1895, Indiana's annual precipitation has jumped by about 5.6 inches.
- Warmer Winters: Even though tonight is freezing, our winters are actually getting milder on average, rising about 0.7°F per decade since 1960.
- The "Train" Sound: Councilwoman Jackie Monk famously described the 2023 tornado sound as a train she’ll never get out of her head.
We’ve had other major events too, like the 2005 Wabash River flood. The river crested at 29.4 feet, the levee failed, and 5,000 acres of farmland ended up under eight feet of water.
Living With the Variability
So, what do you actually do with this information?
Weather for Sullivan isn't just a thing you look up on your phone; it’s a factor in how you plan your year. The "frost-free" season has lengthened by about nine days since the late 1800s. For farmers, that sounds like a win, but it also means more pests and more extreme heat in the summer that can actually lower crop yields for corn and soybeans.
Practical Steps for the Next Few Days
Since we're staring down a week of sub-freezing temps followed by a weirdly warm Wednesday, here is what you should actually do:
- Drip the Faucets: When Monday hits that 7°F low, keep the water moving. It's cheaper than a plumber.
- Watch the Ice: Sunday and Monday have a slight chance of snow, and with temperatures staying well below freezing, any moisture on the roads is going to stay there as black ice.
- Check Your Vents: Make sure your furnace exhaust isn't blocked by snow or debris. Carbon monoxide is a real risk when the heat is running non-stop.
- Prepare for the Melt: When we hit 42°F on Wednesday, all that built-up snow and ice is going to turn into slush. Check your gutters now to make sure they aren't clogged, or you'll have a basement problem by Thursday.
Sullivan is a place where you learn to respect the sky. Whether it's the biting 3°F wind chill tonight or the memory of a 165 mph tornado, we know the weather here is a powerful neighbor.
Stay warm, keep an eye on the western horizon, and maybe keep an extra blanket in the trunk of your car just in case.