LAWRENCE CO. — Holiday travel plans across Southern and South-Central Indiana could be severely impacted as forecasters predict measurable snowfall and an arctic blast of cold air after Thanksgiving Day. Residents heading out on the roads to visit family and friends are warned that a messy, potentially hazardous commute is on the horizon, with conditions expected to deteriorate starting late Thursday and continuing through Saturday morning.
Snowfall and Icy Conditions Expected
The latest forecasts suggest that a storm system sweeping across the Midwest will bring accumulating snow to the southern half of the Hoosier state.
- Accumulation: Southwest and South-Central Indiana are expected to see 1 to 3 inches of snow.
- Timing: Snowfall is possible from late Thursday through Saturday morning.
- Winds and Blowing Snow: Strong winds are expected to compound the hazard. Sustained winds of 15–20 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph, will create significant blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility and creating challenging driving conditions.
- Ice Threat: Areas in Central Indiana could face a mix of sleet or freezing rain, with a potential for 0.15 – 0.25 inches of ice accumulation. Furthermore, roads may already be slick from previous rains before the snow begins.
Travelers are strongly advised to monitor weather alerts and prepare for slick roads and significant travel delays, especially during the post-Thanksgiving rush and heading into Black Friday.
AccuWeather meteorologists are predicting major travel disruptions due to the storm system and the dive in temperatures that will accompany it.
“Anticipated gusty winds combined with snowfall could support blowing snow and resulting decreased visibility, especially across parts of the Northern and Central Plains during the Thanksgiving travel period,” forecasters noted.
Temperatures on Thanksgiving Day (November 27th) are expected to drop, leaving Hoosiers facing near-freezing conditions and partly cloudy skies. The Weather Underground predicts a high of 34 degrees, with temperatures potentially falling to 19 degrees overnight.
Residents are urged to take precautions now, stock vehicles with emergency supplies, and delay travel if conditions become dangerous.
Black Friday is expected to be a bitterly cold day, with temperatures struggling to climb out of the 20s and low 30s. Lake-effect snow will also continue into Friday and Saturday.
Indiana Thanksgiving Weather History
While Southern Indiana braces for a snowy weekend, Indianapolis weather records compiled by the National Weather Service since 1871 show that snow on the holiday itself is relatively rare.
- Warmest Thanksgiving: The thermometer reached 69 degrees in both 1896 and 1973.
- Coldest Thanksgiving: The mercury plummeted to 1 degree in 1930.
- Thanksgiving Snow Chance: Measurable snow has only fallen on 7% of Thanksgivings since records began. The most significant recorded snowfall was 2.4 inches in 1902.
- Rain Chance: Rain is more common, having fallen on 39% of Thanksgivings, with the record downpour of 1.45 inches occurring in 2010.
