It’s Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and if you’re standing in your kitchen wondering what is the temp outside today, the answer depends entirely on whether you're about to get hit by the "Wintry Whiplash" currently tearing across the country. Seriously. Today is one of those bizarre weather days where half the U.S. is basking in unseasonable warmth while the other half is bracing for a cold front that’s going to make tomorrow feel like a different planet.
Right now, if you're in Indianapolis or central Indiana, you’re looking at a high of about 55°F. Sounds nice, right? Wrong. It’s a trap. By tomorrow, that same spot is going to crater into the teens. Meanwhile, down in San Antonio, the rain has cleared out, and they’re looking at a comfy 60°F that’ll climb toward 70°F by tomorrow afternoon—though they’ve got some nasty 40 mph wind gusts coming for them.
💡 You might also like: Weather in Philadelphia on Sunday: What Most People Get Wrong
The national average is sitting around 34°F to 36°F, but averages are basically useless when the jet stream is acting this twitchy.
The Great January 2026 Split: Why It Feels So Weird
We are currently in a transition phase. La Niña—that climate pattern everyone blames for weird winters—is finally starting to lose its grip. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Climate Prediction Center have been tracking this weak La Niña all winter, and they expect us to hit "ENSO-neutral" conditions by the spring.
What does that mean for you right now? It means the weather is chaotic.
In the West, specifically around Reno and the Sierra Nevadas, high pressure is keeping things dry but chilly. If you’re near Mono Lake, you’re stuck in freezing fog with highs barely hitting 30°F. But just a few hundred miles away in Southern California, places like the Coachella Valley are hitting the upper 70s. It’s basically two different seasons happening on the same coastline.
Regional Breakdown: What’s Actually Happening
- The Midwest & Great Lakes: You're the "Wintry Whiplash" zone. Ohio is currently under a hazardous weather outlook. It’s not a full-blown blizzard, but meteorologists like Carl Hunnell are calling for 1 to 3 inches of snow starting Wednesday night. It’s that annoying "commute-ruining" snow, not the "fun-sledding" snow.
- The Southeast: Georgia and parts of the Carolinas are dealing with increased fire danger today. It’s dry. It’s windy. Cobb County is seeing highs near 56°F, which is actually above normal, but that dry air is a massive red flag for local fire departments.
- The Northeast: You’re in a bit of a holding pattern. It’s cloudy and cold—typical January—but the real hammer doesn't drop until next week. The Week 3-4 outlooks suggest a major trough is going to park itself over the Eastern U.S. starting around January 19.
The Problem With "Feels Like" vs. Actual Temp
Honestly, the number on your iPhone or Android home screen is kinda lying to you. Today, "what is the temp outside today" isn't just about the degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit. It’s about the wind chill and the "Madden-Julian Oscillation" (MJO).
The MJO is a massive pulse of clouds and rain that moves around the equator. Right now, it’s crossing the Pacific. When it does this in January, it usually triggers a lagged response that kicks the jet stream into high gear over North America. That’s why we’re seeing these 40 mph gusts in Texas and the sudden temperature drops in the Ohio Valley.
If the thermometer says 45°F but the wind is gusting at 30 mph, your body is losing heat at a rate closer to 34°F. That’s the difference between a light jacket and needing a heavy wool coat.
Beyond the Thermometer: The 2026 Climate Context
We can't talk about today's temperature without mentioning the bigger picture. Munich Re, the giant reinsurance company, just released a report today highlighting that insured losses from "secondary perils" (like these weird localized storms and wildfires) hit a record $98 billion last year.
The 2025-2026 winter season has been a "nickel-and-dime" pattern. Instead of one massive, historic blizzard, we’re getting hit with constant, smaller events. It’s a variable winter. One day you’re in short sleeves in Indianapolis, the next you’re digging out your ice scraper.
💡 You might also like: L'Oreal Hair Color Chart 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
Why the Forecast Keeps Changing
Have you noticed your weather app changes every two hours? You're not imagining it.
Meteorologists use ensemble models—basically dozens of different computer simulations—to guess the weather. Right now, the "spread" between these models is huge. One model (the European ECENS) says we’re going to get an arctic blast by January 19. Another model (the American GEFS) thinks a ridge of high pressure will keep things milder.
When the models don't agree, the forecast gets "jumpy." This is why you should trust the National Weather Service (NWS) "Area Forecast Discussion" more than a pretty icon on your phone. Those discussions are written by actual humans who explain why they’re unsure about the snow totals.
How to Actually Prepare for Today's Weather
Since the what is the temp outside today question is so loaded right now, here is how you should actually dress and plan.
- The 20-Degree Rule: If you’re in the Midwest or Northeast, dress for 20 degrees colder than the current temp if you’re going to be out after sunset. That cold front is moving fast.
- Wind Shielding: In Texas and the Southeast, the temp is fine, but the wind is the enemy. Wear a windbreaker or a shell. The gusty conditions are going to make 60°F feel like 50°F very quickly.
- Check for "Freezing Fog": If you’re in the West or the Sierras, don't trust the visibility. High pressure can trap moisture near the ground, creating patchy slick spots even if it hasn't rained or snowed in days.
Actionable Next Steps
Instead of just staring at the number on your screen, do these three things to stay ahead of the "Wintry Whiplash":
- Check the "Hourly" tab, not the "Daily" tab: Today is a day of transitions. The high might be 55°F, but if that high happens at 11:00 AM and it’s 30°F by 4:00 PM, you’re going to be miserable if you only looked at the daily peak.
- Monitor the Dew Point: If you see the dew point dropping rapidly, that means dry, arctic air is rushing in. This is the best indicator of a coming temperature crash.
- Prepare for Wednesday Morning: If you are in the path of the cold front (Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania), gas up your car today. Cold batteries struggle to start, and you don't want to be fumbling with a frozen gas cap tomorrow morning when the temps are in the teens.
The weather today is a perfect example of why "normal" doesn't really exist anymore. It’s a mix of fading La Niña influence, a volatile jet stream, and localized pressure systems that make "the temp" a moving target. Stay layered, keep an eye on the wind, and don't get too comfortable in that afternoon sun.