Indiana, 2025

Winter Storm in Indiana, January 5 to 6, 2025

January 5 to 6, 2025 · NWS IND · 32 events in 32 counties and zones

A strong winter storm that had started to deepen near the Texas Panhandle on the 4th, was guided slowly eastward amid a split yet confluent upper level pattern, crossing Arkansas through midday hours on the 5th, and continuing along the Kentucky-Tennesse border during the 6th's early morning. Accumulating snow overspread central Indiana on the 5th, from pre-dawn hours southwest of Bloomington to…

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 32 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
32

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS IND wrote it up.

A strong winter storm that had started to deepen near the Texas Panhandle on the 4th, was guided slowly eastward amid a split yet confluent upper level pattern, crossing Arkansas through midday hours on the 5th, and continuing along the Kentucky-Tennesse border during the 6th's early morning. Accumulating snow overspread central Indiana on the 5th, from pre-dawn hours southwest of Bloomington to early evening hours in northeastern zones.

Broad and amplified polar surface high pressure, aligned from south-central Canada to the central Appalachians provided ample antecedent cold air, and contributed to a strong 850 mb thermal gradient from south of Interstate Route 70 through the Ohio Valley. Resultant precipitation types ranged from generally all snow over central Indiana's northern two-thirds, to a snow/sleet mix across several of the region's southern zones. While ice accumulation was predominant along the Ohio Valley, reports of freezing rain in central Indiana's southern counties were isolated, with any ice accumulation dwarfed by snow and sleet. Frozen precipitation ended from west to east through the morning and midday of the 6th.

Storm total accumulations reached criteria (5.0 inches) in 32 of central Indiana's 39 zones, across central and southern counties, with widespread 7.0-11.0 inch totals observed along and south of the Interstate 70 corridor. Greatest snowfall was actually observed over far southern and southeastern zones, with 12.0-13.0 inches in portions of Daviess, Jackson, Jennings, and Decatur Counties; following the storm's initial burst that, by late day on the 5th, had already produced 8.6 inches of snowfall in northwestern Daviess County, and 5.7 inches in central Jennings County. Another, narrower band of greater snowfall extended from northeastern Hendricks County and east along Marion County's northern border where 9.0 to 11.0 inches was reported. The snowfall distribution also included a sharp northern gradient, extending from northern Vermillion County, through the Lebanon area and northern Hamilton County, to the Delaware-Henry County line; storm totals in portions of Boone County and Hamilton County ranged from 2.0 to 8.0 inches over a distance of only 12 miles.

Impacts, as reported by Indiana State Police, were led by a total of 234 property damage vehicle crashes and slide offs, 53 personal injury crashes, and 329 motorist assists over the course of the event, along with 21 personal rescues by the National Guard. There were several full closures of interstates during the night of the 5th, yet no fatalities or serious injuries were reported.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Indianapolis, IN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 4, 6:25 PM EST, 10 hours 35 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 4, 6:25 PM EST, 10 hours 35 minutes before
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The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

32 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Knox

When
January 5, 5:00 AM EST to January 6, 10:30 AM EST
Where
Knox forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
38.689, -87.418 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 6.0 to 11.5 inches. A Travel Warning was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Daviess

When
January 5, 6:00 AM EST to January 6, 10:30 AM EST
Where
Daviess forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
38.702, -87.072 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 8.0 to 12.0 inches. A Travel Watch was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Lawrence

When
January 5, 7:00 AM EST to January 6, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Lawrence forecast zone
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
38.841, -86.483 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 6.5 to 9.8 inches. A Travel Warning was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Greene

When
January 5, 7:00 AM EST to January 6, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Greene forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
39.036, -86.962 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 6.8 to 11.0 inches. A Travel Watch was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Martin

When
January 5, 7:00 AM EST to January 6, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Martin forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
38.708, -86.803 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 6.9 to 8.6 inches. A Travel Watch was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Sullivan

When
January 5, 7:00 AM EST to January 6, 10:00 AM EST
Where
Sullivan forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
39.089, -87.415 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 5.0 to 8.7 inches. A Travel Watch was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Vigo

When
January 5, 7:00 AM EST to January 6, 10:00 AM EST
Where
Vigo forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
39.431, -87.390 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 5.0 to 8.0 inches.

Winter Storm, Monroe

When
January 5, 8:00 AM EST to January 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Monroe forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
39.161, -86.523 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 7.5 to 10.5 inches. A Travel Warning was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Clay

When
January 5, 8:00 AM EST to January 6, 10:30 AM EST
Where
Clay forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
39.393, -87.116 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 5.3 to 6.7 inches. A Travel Watch was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Fountain

When
January 5, 9:00 AM EST to January 6, 9:00 AM EST
Where
Fountain forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
40.121, -87.242 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 0.2 to 6.7 inches. A Travel Advisory was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Brown

When
January 5, 9:00 AM EST to January 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Brown forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
39.196, -86.227 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 7.5 to 10.5 inches. A Travel Warning was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Jackson

When
January 5, 9:00 AM EST to January 6, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Jackson forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
38.906, -86.037 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 7.0 to 12.5 inches. A Travel Warning was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Morgan

When
January 5, 9:00 AM EST to January 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Morgan forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
39.482, -86.446 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 7.5 to 10.5 inches. A Travel Warning was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Montgomery

When
January 5, 9:00 AM EST to January 6, 10:30 AM EST
Where
Montgomery forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
40.040, -86.893 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 1.8 to 7.5 inches. A Travel Watch was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Owen

When
January 5, 9:00 AM EST to January 6, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Owen forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
39.313, -86.838 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 6.0 to 9.5 inches. A Travel Watch was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Parke

When
January 5, 9:00 AM EST to January 6, 10:30 AM EST
Where
Parke forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
39.774, -87.206 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 5.0 to 9.8 inches. A Travel Watch was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Putnam

When
January 5, 9:00 AM EST to January 6, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Putnam forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
39.666, -86.845 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 6.3 to 9.5 inches. A Travel Watch was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Vermillion

When
January 5, 9:00 AM EST to January 6, 9:30 AM EST
Where
Vermillion forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
39.854, -87.464 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 2.0 to 10.0 inches. A Travel Watch was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Johnson

When
January 5, 9:30 AM EST to January 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Johnson forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
39.490, -86.102 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 7.5 to 9.7 inches. A Travel Watch was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Hendricks

When
January 5, 9:30 AM EST to January 6, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Hendricks forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
39.770, -86.510 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 6.0 to 11.0 inches.

Winter Storm, Marion

When
January 5, 10:00 AM EST to January 6, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Marion forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
39.782, -86.138 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 7.2 to 10.5 inches. A Travel Advisory was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Bartholomew

When
January 5, 10:00 AM EST to January 6, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Bartholomew forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
39.206, -85.898 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 7.0 to 11.5 inches. A Travel Warning was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Decatur

When
January 5, 10:00 AM EST to January 6, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Decatur forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
39.307, -85.501 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 8.5 to 12.0 inches. A Travel Warning was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Jennings

When
January 5, 10:00 AM EST to January 6, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Jennings forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
38.997, -85.628 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 9.0 to 13.0 inches. A Travel Warning was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Rush

When
January 5, 10:00 AM EST to January 6, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Rush forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
39.620, -85.466 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 6.5 to 9.0 inches. A Travel Warning was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Shelby

When
January 5, 10:00 AM EST to January 6, 12:30 PM EST
Where
Shelby forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
39.524, -85.792 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 6.5 to 9.7 inches. A Travel Warning was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Hancock

When
January 5, 10:00 AM EST to January 6, 11:30 AM EST
Where
Hancock forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
39.824, -85.773 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 2.5 to 9.0 inches. A Travel Watch was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Boone

When
January 5, 11:30 AM EST to January 6, 10:00 AM EST
Where
Boone forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
40.051, -86.469 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 1.5 to 9.5 inches. A Travel Advisory was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Henry

When
January 5, 12:30 PM EST to January 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Henry forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
39.931, -85.396 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 3.2 to 8.0 inches. A Travel Advisory was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Madison

When
January 5, 1:00 PM EST to January 6, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Madison forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
40.162, -85.719 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 2.9 to 8.2 inches. A Travel Advisory was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Hamilton

When
January 5, 1:00 PM EST to January 6, 10:30 AM EST
Where
Hamilton forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
40.073, -86.052 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 2.5 to 10.0 inches. A Travel Watch was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

Winter Storm, Delaware

When
January 5, 2:30 PM EST to January 6, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Delaware forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
40.228, -85.397 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall ranged from 2.0 to 6.0 inches. A Travel Advisory was issued for the county due to the impacts of snow on road conditions.

What these are

Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Indiana in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Indiana, January 2025

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1227386, 1227393, 1227387, 1227394, 1227398, 1227403, 1227407, 1227388, 1227392, 1227377, 1227382, 1227384, 1227389, 1227399, 1227400, 1227401, 1227402, 1227404, 1227397, 1227406, 1227379, 1227381, 1227383, 1227385, 1227390, 1227391, 1227396, 1227375, 1227378, 1227380, 1227395, 1227376.