9 Things No One Tells You About Surviving An Indianapolis Winter
By Courtney Johnston|Updated on November 29, 2022(Originally published November 25, 2022)
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Courtney Johnston
Author
Courtney's originally from the East Coast, but has found a charming new home in Indiana. She loves checking out local music, reading, and trying new food. She's also a little too addicted to coffee and has a Maine Coon cat she answers to.
The weather can get crazy in Indy at this time of year, with winter storms coming and going as they please, leaving no concern for whether we want them or not. But it’s not all bad, winter in Indianapolis also means beautiful winter hikes, magical snow-covered walks, and stunning holiday light displays. Once we’ve survived a few brutally cold weeks and a mix of wintery weather, you might be interested in these tips no one ever tells you about surviving an Indianapolis winter.
Made plans? Don't worry, winter won't let you keep them. Need to get to work on time? Better get up two hours earlier in case those streets aren't plowed (spoiler alert: they aren't). There's no overcoming winter's power, so you might as well bow down and accept it. Unfortunately Indy gets the brunt of winter weather, meaning biting cold temperatures, heavy snow, ice, and hail. It can be difficult to deal with, but once you know the weather patterns it gets easier to prepare for the worst.
2. Driving downtown is like playing a dangerous game of slip and slide.
The snow is partially plowed, then it freezes, and driving becomes an anxiety-fueled sport that no one wants to participate in. When the roads are particularly bad you may want to stay home, but definitely make sure you get those snow tires on early!
Even if you manage to bundle up enough to prevent frostbite, there's a 100% chance you're going to slip and fall. Going out to build a snow man or participate in a snowball fight is one thing, but maybe postpone the scenic Indianapolis winter stroll for another day.
4. Clearing a path to your car requires superhuman strength.
Unless you have a snowblower (and if the snow already froze, you're out of luck), you could be digging yourself out for eternity. The plus side of this is you don't need a gym membership during the winter months, shoveling gets it all toned up for you!
5. Your car will look like this on any given morning.
You might as well get used to digging yourself out every day, because even if you clean it off perfectly in the morning, it's likely to be snow covered again when you leave work. If you're lucky enough to have a garage, we'd like to rent a space in it!
6. The Indianapolis winter weather is straight up unpredictable.
You might leave the house with a light coat or just a sweater, only to find the temperatures below freezing hours later. The weather does whatever it wants here. We recommend dressing in layers and coming out prepared for the worst. It's better to carry around a coat and have it when you need it than to be left out in the cold, literally.
7. On the bright side, everyone in Indy knows how to make the best of a cold day.
Snow, snow, and nothing but snow in sight? Sounds like a day for some epic sledding. Take the tubing hill or head to a mountain for some epic skiing and snowboarding.
It may be a pain to deal with sometimes, but admit it, snow in the city is downright enchanting. Add in the glisten of a holiday lights display and it melts your heart.
Whether it's a horse-drawn carriage ride through the snow, an impromptu snowball fight, or a winter themed attraction, there's tons of fun to be had in the city during even the coldest of days. The weather in Indy may be unpredictable and at times frustrating, but we wouldn't have it any other way.
Even if winter isn’t your favorite season, you have to admit it sure is beautiful. For more ideas on what you can do for fun this winter in Indianapolis, check out these epic sledding hills in Indiana. Preparation is also important when dealing with frigid and unpredictable weather like winter in Indianapolis. Make sure you check the weather before heading out, dress appropriately, and plan in extra time to shovel yourself out when you have to leave home. A little advanced planning goes a long way in enjoying the winter weather!
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