Spring is officially here, but there’s a reason it may feel like summer outside. Much of the United States, including Indiana, has a good chance of being warmer than usual in the coming months.
Parts of Indiana have a 50% chance of higher-than-normal temperatures from April to June 2026, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Spring Outlook released March 19.
The spring forecast comes as parts of the Western United States experience a heat dome with temperatures topping 90 degrees. The Southwest has the highest likelihood of above-normal temperatures through the spring, according to NOAA.
What is the spring forecast for Indiana?
Southern Indiana has up to a 50% chance that weather will be warmer than normal for the next three months, NOAA says. Spring temperatures in Central and Northern Indiana are 33% to 40% likelier than usual to be above average.
On Saturday, March 21, the temperature in Indianapolis reached 73 degrees. On Sunday, the National Weather Service predicts a high of 82 degrees, which would match the hottest March 22 on record, set in 2012.
What is a heat dome? Is Indiana in a heat dome?
A heat dome refers to a prolonged high-pressure system that traps heat over a specific region, leading to days of extreme hot temperatures.
Indiana is not currently in the heat dome as seen in other areas of the country, said Brad Herold, hydro-meteorological technician at the National Weather Service’s Indianapolis office.
Yet, Indianapolis has certainly felt warmer temperatures this year. So far in 2026, the city has risen above 70 degrees on at least eight days, higher than the average of two days.
Nevertheless, colder weather is still on the horizon. Even though temperatures are predicted to top 80 degrees on Sunday, the Indianapolis area will see a nearly 30-degree drop come Monday morning.
“It’s just a matter of weather pattern that we are currently in,” Herold said. “The typical springtime battle of the air masses.”
Indianapolis forecast
Saturday night: Clear to partly cloudy with a low of 59.
Sunday, March 22: A mix of clouds and sun. High of 82. Stray showers or storms possible.
Sunday night: Scattered thunderstorms. A low around 35. A 60% chance of rain.
Monday, March 23: Partly cloudy. High of 49.
Monday night: Cloudy with a low around 30.
Tuesday, March 24: Partly cloudy. High of 58.
Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Wednesday, March 25: Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
Wednesday night: Late showers with a low of 54.
Contact IndyStar reporter Alysa Guffey at alysa.guffey@indystar.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Will Indiana see a heat dome? What to know on spring forecast
Reporting by Alysa Guffey, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
