Indianapolis, IN Climate & Monthly Averages

Indiana, United States 🇺🇸 · humid subtropical climate
Annual avg
54°
Hottest month
July
Coldest month
January
Rainy days / yr
130
Sunshine
8.5 h/day
Right now: 81° and overcast - see live conditions

The climate of Indianapolis

Indianapolis runs one of the wider annual swings in our dataset: 25°C separates the average July from the average January. Afternoons reach 85°F (29°C) at the peak of summer and 38°F (3°C) at the depth of winter, with 130 days of measurable precipitation through the year.

Climate quick facts

  • Hottest month: July - highs near 85°F (29°C)
  • Coldest month: January - highs near 38°F (3°C)
  • Decade extremes (2015-2024): 95°F (35°C) high · -18°F (-28°C) low
  • Wettest month: March (13 rainy days) · Sunniest: July (11.7 h sun/day)
  • Climate type: humid subtropical
  • Annual swing: 25°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 10°C
  • Snow: about 10 days a year
  • Months with freezing average lows: 3
  • Average humidity: 70%

Temperatures through the year

The wettest month is March (5.3 inches (135 mm) across 13 days) and the driest September. July is the warm end of the year, averaging 85°F (29°C) by day and 67°F (20°C) overnight. January is the coolest month, with highs of 38°F (3°C) and lows near 23°F (-5°C). Across the gridded 2015-2024 daily record, the highest daily maximum for this location was 95°F (35°C) and the lowest daily minimum -18°F (-28°C). Snow falls on roughly 10 days a year, mostly November through April.

Rain, sun and snow

Overnight lows average at or below freezing for 3 months, December through February. Between the average July and the average January lie 25°C, a wider spread than roughly 85% of the cities we track.

How Indianapolis compares

  • Indianapolis sits close to the middle of our dataset on most measures: 54°F (12°C) as an annual average, 45.9 inches (1166 mm) of precipitation and 8.5 hours of sun a day.

Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.

Monthly climate table

Monthly averages for Indianapolis based on 2015–2024 weather data.
MonthHighLow Rain daysPrecipitation SunshineHumidity
January 38° 23° 10 3.4 in 5.1 h/day 72%
February 43° 25° 9 3.2 in 6.6 h/day 69%
March 52° 34° 13 5.3 in 7.4 h/day 68%
April 62° 43° 12 4.1 in 8.7 h/day 66%
May 73° 55° 14 4.9 in 9.9 h/day 70%
June 82° 64° 12 4.0 in 11.6 h/day 67%
July 85° 67° 13 4.6 in 11.7 h/day 73%
August 83° 66° 11 3.5 in 11.3 h/day 72%
September 79° 61° 7 2.9 in 10.0 h/day 69%
October 66° 49° 10 3.1 in 8.0 h/day 69%
November 52° 36° 9 3.2 in 6.4 h/day 71%
December 44° 29° 9 3.5 in 5.1 h/day 74%

Indianapolis month by month

Indianapolis weather in January

January brings highs around 38°F (3°C), lows near 23°F (-5°C), about 10 wet days and roughly 3 snowy days - typically the coldest month of the year in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis weather in February

February brings highs around 43°F (6°C), lows near 25°F (-4°C), about 9 wet days and roughly 3 snowy days.

Indianapolis weather in March

March brings highs around 52°F (11°C), lows near 34°F (1°C), about 13 wet days and roughly 1 snowy days - typically the wettest month of the year in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis weather in April

April brings highs around 62°F (17°C), lows near 43°F (6°C), about 12 wet days.

Indianapolis weather in May

May brings highs around 73°F (23°C), lows near 55°F (13°C), about 14 wet days.

Indianapolis weather in June

June brings highs around 82°F (28°C), lows near 64°F (18°C), about 12 wet days.

Indianapolis weather in July

July brings highs around 85°F (29°C), lows near 67°F (20°C), about 13 wet days - typically the hottest month and the sunniest month of the year in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis weather in August

August brings highs around 83°F (28°C), lows near 66°F (19°C), about 11 wet days.

Indianapolis weather in September

September brings highs around 79°F (26°C), lows near 61°F (16°C), about 7 wet days - typically the driest month of the year in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis weather in October

October brings highs around 66°F (19°C), lows near 49°F (10°C), about 10 wet days.

Indianapolis weather in November

November brings highs around 52°F (11°C), lows near 36°F (2°C), about 9 wet days.

Indianapolis weather in December

December brings highs around 44°F (6°C), lows near 29°F (-2°C), about 9 wet days and roughly 1 snowy days.

Seasons in Indianapolis

Spring (March through May)

Spring stays on the cool side of mild here - highs near 63°F (17°C), nights near 44°F (7°C), and rain falls on around 39 of the 90 days.

Summer (June through August)

Summer in Indianapolis runs hot, with daytime highs averaging 83°F (29°C) and nights around 66°F (19°C); rain falls on around 36 of the 90 days. Daylight is generous - around 11.5 hours of sun a day. With the moisture factored in, afternoons feel hotter than the reading suggests - the humidity and dew point converter shows why.

Fall (September through November)

Through fall, Indianapolis is mild: 66°F (19°C) by day, 49°F (9°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 26 days across the season.

Winter (December through February)

Winter stays firmly cold here - highs near 41°F (5°C), nights near 26°F (-4°C), and expect showers on roughly 29 days across the season, plus about 8 snowy days.

Climate questions, answered

How warm is Indianapolis on average?
54°F (12°C) across all twelve months - about 63°F (17°C) by day and 46°F (8°C) after dark.
How cold does Indianapolis get in winter?
January nights average 23°F (-5°C). Frost and occasional ice are part of the season.
What should I pack for Indianapolis?
It depends on the month: July runs to 85°F (29°C) while January holds at 38°F (3°C). The full month-by-month breakdown is in the packing notes above.
How many rainy days does Indianapolis get in a year?
About 130 days bring measurable precipitation, totalling 45.9 inches (1166 mm). That works out at roughly 9.0 mm on an average wet day.

Best time to visit Indianapolis

August to October and June is the sweet spot for Indianapolis - warm days, manageable rainfall and plenty of daylight line up. Expect 78°F (25°C) in the afternoon and around 10 days of rain in a typical month of it. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in August.

Pack for Indianapolis with light clothing for the warm months, a heavy insulated coat, hat and gloves for winter and a compact umbrella or rain shell. July nights average 67°F (20°C), so evenings rarely match the afternoons.

Indianapolis temperature records (2015-2024)

Highest recorded
95°
in July
Lowest recorded
-18°
in January
Annual precipitation
45.9"
Snowy days / yr
10

Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ.