Lafayette, Indiana 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

145
FXUS63 KIND 011438
AFDIND

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
938 AM EST Thu Jan 1 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Extended stretch of dry weather through at least next Monday

- Temperatures warming next week to well above normal

&&

.FORECAST UPDATE...
Issued at 938 AM EST Thu Jan 1 2026

No major changes needed to the forecast with conditions evolving as
expected. Skies are now mostly clear across much of central Indiana
as the low clouds continue to slowly advect to the southwest across
south central Indiana and thin cirrus moves southeast across the
northern portions. This will help to warm roads and bring an end
to any lingering slick spots even as temperatures remain in the
mid to upper 20s. Going into the afternoon hours, expect to see
the remaining low clouds to the south exit the area with dry and
quiet weather across central Indiana. Weak CAA will help to keep
temperatures on the cooler end, but would not be shocked to see
temperatures slightly overachieve this afternoon with the mostly
clear skies.

&&

.SHORT TERM (Today and tonight)...
Issued at 233 AM EST Thu Jan 1 2026

A standard west coast ridge and east coast trough synoptic pattern
is currently in place across the CONUS. This has placed central
Indiana in modest NW flow, of which was the catalyst to the frontal
passage earlier last night. The precipitation associated with weak
isentropic lift ahead of the front has now exited the region, but
along the front confluence is allowing for a light to moderate
rain/snow mix; currently just south of I-70 as of 07Z. The increased
pressure gradient and mixing along the frontogenetic corridor is
creating temporary gusty conditions, to about 25mph, within 20 to 30
miles of the front itself.

In the wake of the front, moderate CAA within northerly winds is
pushing temperatures below freezing. Lift is very weak in the post
frontal regime, but there is just enough veering within the
saturated PBL for very light precipitation. The saturation depth is
very shallow at around -2C to -4C, of which is not cold enough for
ice crystal growth despite subfreezing temperatures. This will
create a brief 3 to 5 hour window of patchy freezing drizzle across
the northeast 2/3 of central Indiana (through 11Z). The combination
of freezing drizzle, prior light snowfall and some rain mixed in
with decreasing road temperatures will likely lead to slick spots on
untreated roadways this morning.

Working against this freezing drizzle is a strong push of dry air
beneath subsidence along the emerging pressure gains. This will work
to erode to saturated layer and subsequent stratus deck from
northwest to southeast throughout the morning. By dawn, portions of
NW central Indiana should begin to clear out, with the rest of
central Indiana expected to clear out by around noon EST.

High pressure will then quickly build beneath the aforementioned CAA,
with winds calming as the high passes through. Eventually, this high
should settle just the south of the forecast area, with a weak WNW
wind as a result. Some mid level cloud cover may form along a weak
700mb boundary, but otherwise skies are expected to be mostly clear
overnight. Temperatures will try to rebound slightly behind the
high, but efficient diurnal cooling conditions will work against
this with overnight lows in the upper teens to low 20s

&&

.LONG TERM (Friday through Wednesday)...
Issued at 233 AM EST Thu Jan 1 2026

Through the weekend, central Indiana will remain in northwest flow
aloft. In this flow, a couple of systems will pass by, but will not
have much impact to the local area.

The first will move well south of the area Friday night into
Saturday. The second will move through the Great Lakes area Sunday
night. This one may have enough moisture for precipitation to reach
northern Indiana, but central Indiana should remain dry. The main
effect from these systems will be periods of increased cloudiness.
Temperatures will be seasonable.

For next week, the upper flow will become more zonal. This will
allow temperatures to warm to above normal, with highs reaching the
50s by mid-week. An upper low will eject from the southwestern USA
by Thursday, and this will bring rain chances to central Indiana by
the middle of next week. Uncertainty remains in the timing and
strength of the system, so confidence is low in any details in PoPs
at this time. Temperatures should be warm enough for rain to be the
precipitation type.

&&

.AVIATION (12Z TAF Issuance)...
Issued at 601 AM EST Thu Jan 1 2026

Impacts:

- MVFR conditions improving from KIND south through late morning

- Brief IFR possible early at KBMG

Discussion:

Clearing of clouds will continue to gradually move south this
morning, improving conditions to VFR by late morning at all sites.
KBMG may briefly dip back to IFR at times early in the period.

There is a low chance that some of the MVFR clouds may return north
for a period later this afternoon into this evening, but at the
moment feel odds are too low to include this.


&&

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

$$

UPDATE...White
SHORT TERM...Updike
LONG TERM...50
AVIATION...50