684
FXUS63 KIND 232001
AFDIND

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
301 PM EST Mon Feb 23 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Cold and mostly cloudy today. Flurries likely to continue for the
  NE half of the forecast area through around sunset

- Wind gusts of 20-30 mph possible through sunset

- Next round of precipitation Wednesday night into Thursday with
  light snow accumulation possible in northern portions of the area

- Warmer late week with anther cold front expected by this weekend

&&

.SHORT TERM (This evening through Tuesday)...
Issued at 301 PM EST Mon Feb 23 2026

Lake enhanced flurries are expected to continue through sunset,
mainly across NE half of the forecast area. While minimal
accumulations are expected, the gusty nature may slightly lower
visibilities within stronger bursts of flurries. Tight pressure
gradients aloft, on the backside of a strong low pressure system
over New England is allowing northwesterly gusts of up to 25-30 mph
this afternoon which are also expected to last through around
sunset. With these gusts, wind chills will largely be in the teens.
Surface high pressure will then pass through central Indiana tonight
dropping winds nearer to 5 mph as the direction shifts to out of the
south. Going into the day Tuesday, the southerly flow will provide
WAA and temperatures should warm into the 40s for much of the area.
However, another gusty day is in store for tomorrow as another low
pressure system approaches the upper Great Lakes again forming a jet
aloft that will bring another day of gusty winds up to around 25 mph
for Tuesday midday into the evening. Unfortunately, this means that
despite the slightly warmer temps tomorrow, wind chills will still
make it feel like it`ll be in the 20s.

&&

.LONG TERM (Tuesday night through Monday)...
Issued at 301 PM EST Mon Feb 23 2026

A weak cold front passing through the area Tuesday night may produce
a few mixed rain or snow showers, however Wednesday night into
Thursday looks to be the most substantial chance for precipitation
during the long term period.

A borderline thermodynamic profile and model discrepancies make for
significant uncertainty with respect to types and possible amounts
during this time frame, but even if light snow accumulation does
occur, high temperatures in the 40s to low 50s Wednesday, very
borderline lows (particularly from Indy southward) Wednesday night,
and highs Thursday recovering back into the upper 30s to mid 40s
should help to mitigate substantial impact through warmer ground
surfaces. Nevertheless, cannot completely rule out some minor
impacts to the Thursday morning commute, and this will bear
monitoring.

Much of the remainder of the long term looks warm and dry, with
highs by Friday pushing the low 60s across southern parts of the
area with the upper level pattern becoming more zonal. There does
appear to be some potential for another brief shot of cooler air
late in the weekend into early next week, which may be accompanied
by another chance for precip. Type will be a bit in question here as
well, but for the moment substantial amounts do not appear likely.

&&

.AVIATION (18Z TAF Issuance)...
Issued at 1255 PM EST Mon Feb 23 2026

Impacts:

- Light snow showers or flurries, mainly at LAF and IND through much
of the day, brief MVFR may be possible with heavier bursts of
flurries

- Northwesterly wind gusts to 25kts at times through 00Z, gusts pick
back up tomorrow out of the south

Discussion:

Lake enhanced snow flurries possible through much of the day, mainly
at LAF and IND. Over the first few hours of the period, those
locations may see brief MVFR conditions in heavier bursts of
flurries. Otherwise, VFR expected through the period.

Northwesterly winds will continue to gust upwards of 25 to
potentially 30kts at times through the day today with the most
frequent gusts through the early afternoon. Winds will drop off
significantly overnight and become southerly. Gusts up to 25 kt are
expected to pick back up by tomorrow afternoon.

&&

.IND WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...KF
LONG TERM...Nield
AVIATION...KF