Lafayette, Indiana 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

153
FXUS63 KIND 301952
AFDIND

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Indianapolis IN
252 PM EST Tue Dec 30 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered flurries possible over the northeast half of central
Indiana this evening early overnight

- Greater risk for snow and light accumulations Wednesday
night along and northeast of Interstate 74

- Seasonably cold through much of the rest of the week with
temperatures warming by late this weekend

&&

.SHORT TERM (This evening through Wednesday)...
Issued at 252 PM EST Tue Dec 30 2025

Surface analysis early this afternoon shows a ridge of high pressure
stretching from eastern TX to MO/IL and NW Indiana. A weak trough
was found over MN and IA. Aloft, water vapor imagery showed a deep
low over Quebec and ridging in place over the western CONUS. This
was resulting in an quick and cold NW flow aloft. A pair of upper
level disturbances were shown in the flow over eastern WI and SW
Ontario. Neither of these were producing any precipitation. Dew
point temperatures across Indiana were quite dry, ranging from the
upper single digits to around 15. GOES19 shows mid and high clouds
upstream over WI, IL and Ontario associated with these upper
disturbances. These clouds were quickly diving southeast toward
central Indiana.

Tonight...

Models show the upper waves quickly pushing across north and eastern
parts of Indiana while the weak surface trough passes across Indiana
overnight. Forecast soundings fail to show deep saturation through
the night as these features pass. In fact, the lower levels across
the forecast area remain dry while passing clouds are shown aloft.
This is representative of the very dry air mass that remains in
place at the surface due to our recent arctic air mass that has
passed across the area. HRRR suggests some very light returns across
the OKK-MIE areas, but given the dry air mass, we will mention only
flurries.  Regarding temperatures, the core of the cold air mass is
drifting farther east, thus some warmer air is arriving along with
expected cloud cover. Thus lows in the lower 20s will expected.

Wednesday...

Mainly dry weather is expected during the last day of the year.
Models show the persistent northwest flow aloft remaining in place
while the previous disturbances have exited east and no new
disturbances are introduced. The weak surface troughing is suggested
to exit in the morning before another cold front arrives over
Northern Illinois, arriving for late Wednesday. Models are hinting
at some snow across Central Indiana during the afternoon ahead of
this boundary, but confidence is low due to an overall lack of
forcing across Central Indiana until later on Wednesday Night. Still
some low chance pops will be used. A cloudy day is expected as the
departing surface trough and the newly approaching second trough
will provide cyclonic flow within the lower levels. Time heights and
forecast soundings suggest lower level saturation indicative of
stratus.

Slightly warmer temperatures are expected on Wednesday as westerly
flow persists in the wake of the departed surface trough along with
minimal advection. Some thermal packing is suggested late in the day
across northern Indiana near the front. Still, highs in the lower
and middle 30s appear on the mark.

&&

.LONG TERM (Wednesday night through Tuesday)...
Issued at 252 PM EST Tue Dec 30 2025

Much of the long term will see pretty persistent NW flow aloft,
helping to keep colder temps around. Some models are showing the
upper flow shifting more zonal by the start of next week, which
could return near to slightly above normal temperatures at least
briefly. At the surface, numerous quick moving high pressure systems
are expected to pass through, so looking at minimal to no PoPs much
of next week. The main exception however comes New Year`s Eve into
the early hours of the New Year, when some snow is expected due to a
passing upper wave with an associated cold front. A few more waves
could pass through but at this time (potentially Saturday and early
next week), there doesn`t look to be enough lift or moisture with
these to bring more than additional cloud coverage.

For New Year`s Eve celebrations, expect temperatures in the mid 20s
to mid 30s as the ball drops. Snow could start as early as the
afternoon hours on the 31st and continue into the early hours of the
1st. Snow accumulations are mainly expected along and near the I-74
corridor and N - most of this area for central Indiana will likely
see a few tenths of snow, but as much as an inch to 1.5 inches could
be possible in the far north. Watch out for the possibility of slick
roads if you are out and about.

&&

.AVIATION (18Z TAF Issuance)...
Issued at 1132 AM EST Tue Dec 30 2025

Impacts:

- VFR Conditions expected until late this evening.

- MVFR conditions overnight and on Wednesday.

- Scattered flurries possible at KIND and KLAF this evening.

Discussion:

High pressure building across the area has allowed for MVFR Cigs to
clear, resulting in VFR conditions. This will continue this
afternoon and evening as surface high pressure quickly moves across
the area.

Look for VFR cigs to invade this afternoon and evening as seen on
GOES19, as a quick moving upper level weather disturbance pushes
across Central Indiana. A weak surface trough associated with this
feature will also arrive overnight, allowing for the return for MVFR
Cigs along with chances for flurries at IND an LAF. Time heights and
forecast soundings suggest lower level saturation through the
Wednesday.


&&

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

$$

SHORT TERM...Puma
LONG TERM...KF
AVIATION...Puma