Hoosiers across the state woke up this morning to sub-zero wind chill readings and single digit temperatures. Highs today will reach the upper teens to low 20s before swelling to the lower 40s on Saturday and Sunday.
As the current overhead high pressure system migrates east, so will the sunny skies. Precipitation will begin Saturday and continue into Sunday morning. Most, if not all, precipitation will fall as rain due to the warmer temperatures, but an earlier arriving system has the potential for mixed snow/rain. Up to an inch is possible by early Sunday morning.
After this weekend’s showers, a cold front will cause temperatures to fall into the mid-to-upper 20s for the beginning of the work week with dry conditions. Lows in the upper single digits or lower teens are expected Monday and Tuesday.
Early Wednesday morning, a warm front will raise temperatures into the low-to-mid 40s lasting through at least Thursday. Mostly sunny to partly cloudy and dry conditions are forecasted.
December sets temperature records
In the NWS December climate summary, last month ranked the fifth warmest and the second least snowiest in Indianapolis on record. Daily average temperatures were higher than normal on 28 of the 31 days, averaging eight degrees higher than the usual mid-30s for this time of year. More interestingly, for Indianapolis, this was only the sixth December since records began in 1871 in which November was cooler on average than December, and for the first time since 1959.
According to the NWS, January’s forecast outlook indicates equal chances of above, below, or near-normal temperatures with the Indianapolis average reading 28.5 degrees. However, they also indicate a “greater chance of above normal precipitation for central Indiana” with Indianapolis’ average of 3.12 inches.
Bloomington Opens Warming Shelters
In anticipation of the extreme cold temperatures over the next few days, the City of Bloomington advises residents for their safety to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure, and to check on elderly family members and neighbors often to assure their safety.
Additionally, through at least February 23, the Bloomington Fire Department will keep stations 1 and 2 open as warming stations for temporary relief during extreme weather conditions. Individuals may come in to warm up at any time of day or night. Overnight accommodations are not available at those locations and masks will be required while in the stations to keep everyone safe.
Additional warming stations are being offered at the Monroe Fire Protection District’s Perry, Clear Creek, Indiana Creek, and Van Buren locations, as well as at the Ellettsville Fire Department Headquarters.
Residents experiencing homelessness are encouraged to seek shelter and/or additional resources at the following locations:
Beacon/Shalom Community Center: 812-334-5728, 620 South Walnut Street
A Friend’s Place: 812-332-1444, 919 South Rogers Street
Wheeler Mission: 812-333-1905, 215 South Westplex Avenue
New Hope Family Shelter: 812-334-9840, 301 West Second Street
Amethyst House: 812-336-2812 (men’s house) or 812-336-2666 (women’s house)
Middle Way House: (24-hour crisis line) 812-336-0846, 338 South Washington Street
