Bloomington will kick off 2026 with a chillier start than in recent years, according to the latest forecasts from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis.
Meteorologists are forecasting a particularly chilly New Year’s Eve, with a low of 23 degrees Fahrenheit and a 20% chance of snow throughout the evening.
What’s the forecast for midnight on New Year’s Eve in Bloomington?
Temperatures will be at their lowest early on New Year’s Eve before warming into the low 30s in the evening, says Jason Puma of NWS Indianapolis. Around midnight, you can expect temperatures around 32 to 33 degrees Fahrenheit, with winds around 10 miles per hour and mostly cloudy skies.
What will the weather be like on New Year’s Day in Bloomington?
Maybe it’s a good omen: New Year’s Day is expected to be mostly sunny in Bloomington, with a high around 33 degrees and winds between 3 to 5 miles per hour.
So, while the annual polar plunge might not be any less “polar” in 2026, at least you’ll have some warm sun on your back as you dry off.
Is New Year’s Eve usually cold in Bloomington?
Usually, although it’s been warmer in recent years. Between 1990 and 2020, the normal low in the central Indiana region was 23 degrees Fahrenheit, while the high was 37.
That’s changed the past few years. In 2021, 2022 and 2024, Bloomington’s temperatures didn’t even drop below freezing, with highs between 50 and 60 degrees.
So, whether you’re stepping outside for fireworks or a New Year’s Kiss at midnight on Dec. 31, make sure you bundle up; you don’t want to kick of 2026 with a cold.
Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington due for a colder New Year’s going into 2026, NWS says
Reporting by Brian Rosenzweig, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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