December in Indiana is always fun with its lineup of holiday activities. Once we turn the calendar, however, we’re facing another three or four months of winter weather. Central Indiana may not see the lake-effect snow like the northern counties, and some of our past winters have been practically balmy. But even our favorite meteorologists have a hard time predicting what’s coming in 2025. Luminocity is here to shed some light on Indiana winters.
Indianapolis winters receive an average of about 25.5 inches of snow
More than two feet of snow feels like a substantial amount, especially if we get hit by a couple of good storms that leave six inches of snow or more. Remember, though – this is just an average number. You’ll have to look back 11 years to find a winter where we surpassed that number.
Our greatest cumulative snowfall was almost 30 years ago
What were you doing in 1996? If the answer is shoveling snow, then you were probably living in central Indiana. During that calendar year, we saw 54.8 inches of the white stuff.
Central Indiana saw its earliest snowstorm in October
Back in 1989, when the kids were still deciding if they were going to be a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle or the Little Mermaid for Halloween, the skies opened and delivered a total of 9.3 inches of snow between October 18-20. That’s the earliest measurable snow on record for Central Indiana.
Everyone remembers the Blizzard of 1978
You might not have been around in 1978, but we can almost guarantee that your parents remember the Blizzard of 1978 if they were living in Central Indiana at the time. Wind chills fell to -51°F. Indianapolis saw 30.6 inches of snowfall. The wind created snowdrifts that were more than 10 feet tall.
We like to load up on bread, milk and eggs before a snowstorm
Stop in any grocery store the day before a predicted storm and you’ll find it swarming with people who are stockpiling groceries. The experts claim there’s a psychological reason for this action: People are afraid of being stuck in their homes without food. Personally, we’ll take any excuse to make French toast.
Snow isn’t always the culprit in central Indiana winters
Freezing rain can bring traffic to a standstill and send Central Indiana residents to the emergency rooms with its slippery sidewalks and deceptive appearance. Freezing rain happens when cold precipitation falls through a pocket of warm air before it hits a freezing surface. If the pocket of warm air is high enough, you’ll see sleet, rather than freezing rain, because the precipitation has a chance to refreeze on its way down. Without the pocket of warm air, it’s all snow.
Our coldest temperature hit -27°F
Cold air can take your breath away, and that -27°F in 1994 felt even colder with a wind chill of -43°F. When it’s that cold, your windshield washer fluid probably won’t work and frostbite can happen within five minutes. Stay inside if we see another record-breaking cold this year.
Our past winters have included thundersnow
Central Indiana is no stranger to thunderstorms, but thundersnow is a bit different. Summer thunderstorms tend to see rapid upward drafts that create lightning and thunder. But occasionally we’ll hear some rumbles of thunder with our snow. Remember, lightning is lightning whether it’s happening in July or January. Take the necessary precautions if you’re heading outside.
Most of us can’t remember the warmest central Indiana winter on record
Snow lovers may be grumbling about a lack of white stuff during the past few winters, but you have to look back almost a century to discover our warmest winter. That happened in 1931-32, when the average winter temperature was 37.4°F.
Outdoor lighting can keep you safe on those slippery snow days
When visitors arrive at your home, are they navigating a dark walkway that hides patches of snow or ice? The right outdoor lighting can make a difference in safety and security. If your property looks dark and uninviting, Luminocity can paint it with light that gives you safety and aesthetic beauty throughout the year.
Old Man Winter can leave a mark on your outdoor lighting system
Luminocity uses durable, weatherproof fixtures designed to stand up to any weather. But extreme temperatures and variable forecasts can cause underground wires to shift and become exposed to the elements. That’s one of the many reasons why we recommend that our customers take advantage of the Luminocity Maintenance Plan. We’ll periodically come out and give your system a thorough inspection, burying those exposed wires and replacing your burnt-out bulbs with new ones.
Winter is upon us in Central Indiana, but Luminocity works throughout the year to bring inspired landscape lighting to some of the finest homes in Central Indiana. Don’t settle for a dark and dreary winter when you can light it up with Luminocity. Call us now at 317-537-8055 for a free consultation!
