The sharp shift in weather begins on Monday, March 16. Temperatures will continue to drop throughout the day, according to the National Weather Service, and scattered snow showers are possible for most of central Indiana.
The snowfall is expected to result in a low level of impact throughout the day, but forecasters are increasingly confident that a drop in temperatures into the twenties and teens will cause flash freezes on wet roads at beginning around 7 p.m.
Bursts or even showers of heavy snow are expected throughout the evening, at times reducing visibility.
NWS issues special weather statement Monday for Central Indiana
“Scattered to numerous snow showers may be briefly heavy and reduce visibility during the day today,” NWS said in a special weather statement. “If traveling today, be prepared for rapid changes in visibility in short distances as well as slick spots on roads.”
High winds and wind gusts of up to 40 mph are also possible, according to the hazardous weather outlook from NWS.
Looking forward, wind chills near zero are expected during the morning hours on Tuesday, March 17, but it’ll start to warm up again by the end of the week. By Friday, March 20 highs in the 60s are expected to return.
What counties could see snow showers on March 16, 2026?
The following Indiana counties are included in the hazardous weather outlook issued by NWS Indianapolis:
Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Carroll, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, Decatur, Delaware, Fountain, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Howard, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Martin, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vermillion, Vigo and Warren.
Indianapolis live weather radar
Indianapolis weather forecast
Visit forecast.weather.gov for the most up-to-date forecast.
Monday, March 16: Snow showers likely, mainly before 5 p.m. Cloudy, with a steady temperature around 29 degrees. Breezy, with a west wind around 23 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Monday night: Scattered snow showers, mainly before 9 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16 degrees. West northwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday, March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 29 degrees. West northwest wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Tuesday night: A 50% chance of snow after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24 degrees. South southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Wednesday, March 18: A chance of snow, possibly mixing with rain after 11 a.m., then gradually ending. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47 degrees. South southwest wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36 degrees. South southwest wind around 6 mph.
Thursday, March 19: A 20% chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 60 degrees. South southwest wind around 6 mph.
Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43 degrees. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east in the evening.
Friday, March 20: Partly sunny, with a high near 68 degrees. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47 degrees. West southwest wind around 7 mph.
Saturday, March 21: Partly sunny, with a high near 70 degrees.
Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45 degrees.
Sunday, March 22: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65 degrees.
Katie Wiseman covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Contact her at klwiseman@usatodayco.com. Follow her on Bluesky, Twitter and Instagram.
Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Snow flurries return on Monday, March 16. See the weekly forecast
Reporting by Katie Wiseman and Ryan Murphy, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
