Indiana Winter Statistics 2013-14 Edition

[Chicago WX]

Updated totals for Fort Wayne and Indianapolis (through 4:00pm today).

 

Fort Wayne - FWA

 

Snowiest Winter (DJF)

61.1" in 1981-82

55.7" in 2013-14

49.8" in 1977-78

45.3" in 2010-11

44.5" in 1914-15

 

Snowiest Season

81.2" in 1981-82

60.6" in 1977-78

59.1" in 1911-12

56.7" in 2013-14

49.8" in 1983-84

 

Indianapolis - IND

 

Snowiest Winter (DJF)

51.0" in 1981-82

49.7" in 1977-78

46.9" in 2002-03

45.0" in 2013-14

39.3" in 1973-74

 

Snowiest Season

58.2" in 1981-82

57.9" in 1977-78

51.7" in 1995-96

50.0" in 2002-03

46.8" in 1895-96

45.1" in 2013-14

[KokomoWX]

Something of interest in today's AFD from Indy

 

 

ON A CLIMATOLOGICAL ASIDE...IND HAS NOT SEEN A FULL SEVEN DAY PERIOD OF AT OR ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES SINCE EARLY TO MID OCTOBER.

[Chicago WX]

Something of interest in today's AFD from Indy

 

Nice. Thanks for posting that tidbit.

[Chicago WX]

EDIT: to add another sub-zero day on 2/13.

 

Today was the 17th day with a sub-zero temp at LAF. 2013-14 snuggled in between some of the coldest winters of the past 40 or so years.

 

24 in 1976-77

18 in 1981-82

18 in 1978-79

17 in 2013-14 (thru 2/13)

14 in 1983-84

14 in 1977-78

11 in 1993-94

11 in 1964-65

10 in 1969-70

 

Also, 7 days in February have had sub-zero temps...good for the 3rd highest total at LAF.

 

9 in Feb 1979

8 in Feb 2007

7 in Feb 2014 (thru 2/13)

5 in Feb 1996

5 in Feb 1985

5 in Feb 1982

5 in Feb 1977

 

Days with a -10º or lower sub-zero temperature at LAF. 2013-14 in a tie for 3rd.

 

10 in 1983-84

9 in 1976-77

7 in 2013-14 (thru 2/13)

7 in 1981-82

6 in 1993-94

6 in 1978-79

5 in 1969-70

 

Every sub-zero min temp this winter at LAF:

Jan 3: -9º

Jan 6: -15º (estimated)

Jan 7: -14º

Jan 21: -3º

Jan 22: -8º

Jan 23: -5º

Jan 24: -8º

Jan 27: -7º

Jan 28: -13º

Jan 29: -1º

Feb 6: -6º

Feb 7: -11º

Feb 8: -2º

Feb 10: -10º

Feb 11: -17º

Feb 12: -10º

Feb 13: -3º

[Chicago WX]

Winter daily temperature charts to date for FWA and IND.

 

 

[Chicago WX]

EDIT: updated through 2/14.

 

A little update for Indianapolis, adding yesterday's 5.5".

 

As it stands now, 2013-14 is the 2nd snowiest meteorological winter on record...4th snowiest season...and just the 5th time Indy has had 50" or more snowfall in a season. Also...February 2014, with 14.8", is now the 10th snowiest on record. Records since 1884.

 

Snowiest Winter (DJF)

51.0" in 1981-82

50.5" in 2013-14

49.7" in 1977-78

46.9" in 2002-03

39.3" in 1973-74

 

Snowiest Season

58.2" in 1981-82

57.9" in 1977-78

51.7" in 1995-96

50.6" in 2013-14

50.0" in 2002-03

46.8" in 1895-96

 

As an aside, I caught Mottster's girl on the 5:00 news tonight. And she kept saying this was the 2nd snowiest season on record for Indy. Tsk tsk, Angela.

[Hoosier]

 

A little update for Indianapolis, adding today's 5.2" through 7:00pm. Will update with the final numbers tomorrow.

 

As it stands now, 2013-14 is the 2nd snowiest meteorological winter on record...4th snowiest season...and just the 5th time Indy has had 50" or more snowfall in a season. Also...February 2014, with 14.5" through 7:00pm tonight, is now tied with 1980 for the 10th snowiest on record. Records since 1884.

 

Snowiest Winter (DJF)

51.0" in 1981-82

50.2" in 2013-14

49.7" in 1977-78

46.9" in 2002-03

39.3" in 1973-74

 

Snowiest Season

58.2" in 1981-82

57.9" in 1977-78

51.7" in 1995-96

50.3" in 2013-14

50.0" in 2002-03

46.8" in 1895-96

 

As an aside, I caught Mottster's girl on the 5:00 news tonight. And she kept saying this was the 2nd snowiest season on record for Indy. Tsk tsk, Angela.

 

 

 

 

Pretty easy to get those mixed up if you're not careful. 

[Chicago WX]

Pretty easy to get those mixed up if you're not careful. 

 

This is true.

 

Updated the IND totals in my previous post.

 

LAF stuck on 0º the last two hourly observations this morning. Hopefully we can intra-hour a negative reading, so we can add #18 to the books.

[Chicago WX]

LAF stuck on 0º the last two hourly observations this morning. Hopefully we can intra-hour a negative reading, so we can add #18 to the books.

 

 -3º at 8:00am. #18 it is.

 

Now tied for the 2nd most winter sub-zero temps at LAF.

 

24 in 1976-77

18 in 2013-14 (thru 2/15)

18 in 1981-82

18 in 1978-79

14 in 1983-84

14 in 1977-78

11 in 1993-94

11 in 1964-65

10 in 1969-70

 

8 days in February have had sub-zero temps...good for a tie for the 2nd highest total at LAF.

 

9 in Feb 1979

8 in Feb 2014 (thru 2/15)

8 in Feb 2007

5 in Feb 1996

5 in Feb 1985

5 in Feb 1982

5 in Feb 1977

 

Days with a -10º or lower sub-zero temperature at LAF. 2013-14 in a tie for 3rd.

 

10 in 1983-84

9 in 1976-77

7 in 2013-14 (thru 2/15)

7 in 1981-82

6 in 1993-94

6 in 1978-79

5 in 1969-70

 

Every sub-zero min temp this winter at LAF:

Jan 3: -9º

Jan 6: -15º (estimated)

Jan 7: -14º

Jan 21: -3º

Jan 22: -8º

Jan 23: -5º

Jan 24: -8º

Jan 27: -7º

Jan 28: -13º

Jan 29: -1º

Feb 6: -6º

Feb 7: -11º

Feb 8: -2º

Feb 10: -10º

Feb 11: -17º

Feb 12: -10º

Feb 13: -3º

Feb 15: -3º

[Chicago WX]

Record setter for Indianapolis.   

 

RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
1216 AM EST SUN FEB 16 2014

...RECORD WINTER SEASON SNOW AT INDIANAPOLIS IN...

WITH 0.8 INCHES OF SNOW LAST EVENING...THE WINTER SEASON
/DECEMBER-FEBRUARY/ TOTAL AT INDIANAPOLIS NOW STANDS AT 51.3 INCHES.
THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD FROM THE WINTER OF 1981-82 WHEN 51.0
INCHES FELL.

SNOWFALL RECORDS AT INDIANAPOLIS DATE BACK TO 1884.

 

Snowiest Winter (DJF)

51.3" in 2013-14

51.0" in 1981-82

49.7" in 1977-78

46.9" in 2002-03

39.3" in 1973-74

[IWXwx]

Yay IND!! Now let's go for the snowiest season.

[bowtie`]

They must have updated. It is up to 51.6 now. Now I can play the forgetful old man and say " I remember when the snow was up past your backside and we had to walk to school uphill both ways. You mean that was yesterday, oh nevermind!".

[Hoosier]

Tim brought it to my attention that one of the COOP sites in the county east of here is already over 70" for the season (they got in on that localized heavy band a couple weeks ago).  Given the upcoming snow and the way the pattern looks after that, they have a real chance to get to 80" before it's over.  Unbelievable for a non-mountainous location so far south. 

[Chicago WX]

Coldest January-Februaries on record for Indianapolis...since 1872.

 

Jan 1-Feb 15, 2014 is currently at 19.0º. If IND averages dead nuts normal the rest of February, the Jan-Feb mean temp will be 22.4º. So that would be the 10th coldest on record.

 

18.0º in 1978

18.3º in 1979

18.7º in 1977

19.9º in 1912

20.2º in 1963

20.4º in 1875

21.4º in 1885

21.7º in 1905

22.0º in 1936

22.8º in 1918

22.9º in 1970

23.1º in 1985

23.1º in 1982

23.4º in 2003

23.5º in 1904

23.6º in 1893

24.2º in 1940

25.1º in 1886

25.2º in 1929

25.3º in 2010

25.3º in 1899

[Chicago WX]

Tim brought it to my attention that one of the COOP sites in the county east of here is already over 70" for the season (they got in on that localized heavy band a couple weeks ago).  Given the upcoming snow and the way the pattern looks after that, they have a real chance to get to 80" before it's over.  Unbelievable for a non-mountainous location so far south. 

 

Yeah, that's the Frankfort COOP. Also, the Tipton 5 SW COOP has 72.1" so far this season, through yesterday. Amazing.

[Chicago WX]

This is for LAF, but here's the coldest Februaries since 1944. Airport data missing for 1946-1963, unfortunately. Using the WL COOP to fill in the gap of that missing period, the only "cold" additions would be 17.4º in 1963...22.0º in 1958...and 24.1º in 1947 (not listed below though).

 

Current Feb mean temp through yesterday is 12.5º.

 

16.6º in 1979

17.0º in 1978

18.5º in 2007

21.8º in 1980

22.8º in 1982

22.8º in 1967

23.6º in 1985

23.8º in 1968

24.6º in 1989

25.4º in 1988

[Chicago WX]

January-February 2014 is already the snowiest Jan-Feb combo on record for Indianapolis. And it's not really close. And further, for reference...the 42.8" in Jan-Feb alone, would be good for the 7th snowiest season on record. 

 

42.8" in 2014 (thru 2/16)

37.1" in 1979

36.3" in 2003

35.4" in 1982

34.5" in 1978

29.7" in 1914

28.4" in 1893

27.5" in 1965

26.8" in 1996

25.3" in 2010

[Chicago WX]

Top 10 season snowfall comparisons for both Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. Both are currently in third place right now...and both share the same exact order of seasons in their respective top 3. As well, other seasons in both top 10's are 1983-84 and 2002-03...though snowfall records for FWA started in 1911-12 vs 1884-85 for Indy. 

 

 

[Chicago WX]

Here's a comparison of the top 10 snowiest meteorological winters for Indianapolis...December 1-February 28/29. Daily snowfall and snow depth statistics. Big files...so I'm gonna do it in two posts. 1st through 5th place, based on total snowfall first...

 

[Chicago WX]

6th-10th place...

 

[Chicago WX]

I messed up and didn't put the " for the SDD values (snow depth days)...but I'm too lazy to change it.

 

Anyways, moral of the story...1977-78 remains the big dog for Indy winters if snow cover/depth is your thing, especially with 5"+ and 10"+ days. Though 1978-79 had the most double digit depth days, despite around foot less total snowfall.

[Chicago WX]

Not exclusively winter related, per se...but here's the monthly temp departures at IND, going back to last February. Just thought it was kinda neat to see the progression, if you will.

 

February 2013 -1.2

March 2013 -6.7

April 2013 -0.5

May 2013 +2.7

June 2013 0.0

July 2013 -1.5

August 2013 +0.7

September 2013 +2.6

October 2013 -0.4

November 2013 -4.4

December 2013 -1.7

January 2014 -8.0

February 2014 -11.9 (thru 2/18)

[Chicago WX]

Snowfall records for Fort Wayne...and where 2013-14 ranks in each category.

 

Fort Wayne (airport data) snowfall records began in 1911. Current snowfall totals through February 22.

 

Snowiest Winter (December-February)

1) 61.1" in 1981-82

2) 59.1" in 2013-14

3) 49.8" in 1977-78

4) 45.3" in 2010-11

5) 44.5" in 1914-15

6) 41.5" in 2002-03

7) 37.6" in 2007-08

8) 36.7" in 1973-74

9) 35.2" in 2004-05

10) 35.0" in 1983-85

 

Snowiest Season (July-June)

1) 81.2" in 1981-82

2) 60.6" in 1977-78

3) 60.1" in 2013-14

4) 59.1" in 1911-12

5) 49.8" in 1983-84

6) 48.3" in 1914-15

7) 46.9" in 1966-67

7) 46.9" in 1963-64

9) 46.7" in 2002-03

10) 46.5" in 2010-11

 

Snowiest December-January

1) 47.1" in 1981-82

2) 43.7" in 1977-78

3) 42.2" in 1914-15

4) 40.2" in 2013-14

5) 32.5" in 1917-18

6) 31.2" in 2003-04

7) 29.5" in 1995-96

8) 28.8" in 1973-74

9) 27.7" in 1915-16

10) 27.5" in 2004-05

 

Snowiest January-February

1) 49.2" in 2014

2) 43.5" in 1982

3) 34.4" in 2011

4) 32.1" in 2003

5) 31.4" in 1978

6) 29.0" in 1985

7) 27.1" in 1918

8) 26.4" in 1914

9) 26.2" in 2008

10) 25.4" in 1979

 

Snowiest Season Through January

1) 50.8" in 1977-78

2) 50.7" in 1981-82

3) 42.6" in 1914-15

4) 41.2" in 2013-14

5) 38.4" in 1917-18

 

Snowiest Season Through February

1) 64.7" in 1981-82

2) 60.1" in 2013-14

3) 56.9" in 1977-78

4) 45.3" in 2010-11

5) 44.9" in 1914-15

 

Snowiest Month

1) 30.3" in January 2014

2) 29.5" in January 1982

3) 25.4" in January 1918

4) 25.3" in January 1978

5) 22.0" in December 1914

6) 21.3" in March 1912

7) 20.3" in January 2004

7) 20.3" in December 1973

9) 20.2" in January 1915

10) 19.5" in March 1964

 

Snowiest January

1) 30.3" in 2014

2) 29.5" in 1982

3) 25.4" in 1918

4) 25.3" in 1978

5) 20.3" in 2004

6) 20.2" in 1915

7) 18.0" in 1999

8) 17.8" in 2003

9) 17.6" in 1987

10) 17.2" in 2005

 

Snowiest February

1) 19.0" in 2008

2) 18.9" in 2014

3) 18.3" in 2011

4) 17.6" in 1912

5) 16.9" in 1980

6) 16.7" in 1988

7) 16.3" in 1986

8) 14.3" in 2003

9) 14.0" in 1982

10) 13.7" in 1985

[Chicago WX]

Same deal as above...but for Indianapolis.

 

Indianapolis snowfall records began in 1884. Current snowfall totals through February 22.

 

Snowiest Winter (December-February)

1) 52.0" in 2013-14

2) 51.0" in 1981-82

3) 49.7" in 1977-78

4) 46.9" in 2002-03

5) 39.3" in 1973-74

6) 37.8" in 1995-96

6) 37.8" in 1978-79

8) 35.9" in 2010-11

9) 33.0" in 2009-10

10) 32.6" in 1983-84

 

Snowiest Season (July-June)

1) 58.2" in 1981-82

2) 57.9" in 1977-78

3) 52.1" in 2013-14

4) 51.7" in 1995-96

5) 50.0" in 2002-03

6) 46.8" in 1895-96

7) 44.8" in 1973-74

8) 41.9" in 1983-84

9) 40.0" in 1892-93

10) 38.6" in 1905-06

 

Snowiest December-January

1) 45.8" in 1977-78

2) 37.4" in 1981-82

3) 36.2" in 1995-96

4) 35.7" in 2013-14

5) 32.2" in 1917-18

6) 31.3" in 1973-74

7) 28.4" in 2010-11

8) 27.5" in 1996-97

9) 25.2" in 2002-03

10) 24.2" in 1926-27

 

Snowiest January-February

1) 43.2" in 2014

2) 37.1" in 1979

3) 36.3" in 2003

4) 35.4" in 1982

5) 34.5" in 1978

6) 29.7" in 1914

7) 28.4" in 1893

8) 27.5" in 1965

9) 26.8" in 1996

10) 25.3" in 2010

 

Snowiest Season Through January

1) 48.6" in 1977-78

2) 37.8" in 1981-82

3) 37.6" in 1995-96

4) 35.8" in 2013-14

5) 32.8" in 1917-18

 

Snowiest Season Through February

1) 52.5" in 1977-78

2) 52.1" in 2013-14

3) 51.4" in 1981-82

4) 47.4" in 2002-03

5) 39.7" in 1973-74

 

Snowiest Month

1) 30.6" in January 1978

2) 30.4" in March 1906

3) 27.5" in December 1973

4) 26.9" in January 2014

5) 25.2" in January 1996

6) 22.0" in January 1918

7) 21.8" in January 1982

8) 21.7" in February 2003

9) 21.5" in December 1895

10) 21.0" in February 1910

 

Snowiest January

1) 30.6" in 1978

2) 26.9" in 2014

3) 25.2" in 1996

4) 22.0" in 1918

5) 21.8" in 1982

6) 20.9" in 1977

7) 20.0" in 1895

8) 19.1" in 1979

9) 18.3" in 1999

10) 17.6" in 1915

 

Snowiest February

1) 21.7" in 2003

2) 21.0" in 1910

3) 20.1" in 1914

4) 18.2" in 2007

5) 18.0" in 1979

6) 17.5" in 2010

7) 17.2" in 1993

8) 17.1" in 1984

9) 16.3" in 2014

10) 15.3" in 1965

[Chicago WX]

With only 4 days left in February and met Winter, it's time to look at the coldest winters for Indianapolis. Current mean temp is 24.5º through today, putting 2013-14 in 10th place. Based off of the NWS forecast for IND the rest of the way, that would give us a DJF mean temperature of 24.2º...which would be good for the 8th coldest on record.

 

1) 20.7º in 1976-77

2) 21.8º in 1977-78

3) 22.0º in 1962-63

4) 22.8º in 1917-18

5) 23.3º in 1935-36

6) 23.7º in 1903-04

7) 23.8º in 1978-79

8) 24.3º in 1904-05

8) 24.3º in 1884-85

10) 24.7º in 1981-82

 

As well, Jan-Feb 2014 currently ranks as tied with 1885 for the 7th coldest on record. Projecting a final mean temp of 21.1º, so no movement up the list, but this year would have seventh place to itself.

 

1) 18.0º in 1978

2) 18.4º in 1979

3) 19.2º in 1977

4) 20.0º in 1912

5) 20.3º in 1963

6) 20.5º in 1875

7) 21.4º in 2014 thru 2/24

7) 21.4º in 1885

9) 21.7º in 1905

10) 22.0º in 1936

[Chicago WX]

For Fort Wayne, projected DJF mean temp of 20.7º...which would be good for the 6th coldest winter on record.

 

1) 17.7º in 1977-78

2) 18.8º in 1976-77

3) 19.3º in 1962-63

4) 20.1º in 1917-18

5) 20.3º in 1935-36

6) 21.0º in 1981-82

6) 21.0º in 1978-79

8) 21.1º in 2013-14 thru 2/24

9) 22.2º in 1919-20

10) 22.6º in 1911-12

 

Jan-Feb temp rankings for FWA. Currently in 6th place...projected mean temp of 17.1º would take them to 4th place.

 

1) 13.9º in 1978

2) 16.1º in 1979

3) 17.0º in 1912

4) 17.2º in 1977

4) 17.2º in 1963

6) 17.6º in 2014 thru 2/24

7) 18.3º in 1982

8) 18.5º in 1936

9) 20.0º in 1918

10) 20.5º in 1940 and 2003

 

 

South Bend currently in 6th place for coldest winter on record...and projected for 19.8º, which would be good for 5th place.

 

1) 16.6º in 1903-04

2) 18.4º in 1962-63

3) 19.4º in 1935-36

4) 19.7º in 1977-78

5) 19.9º in 1917-18

6) 20.3º in 2013-14 thru 2/24

6) 20.3º in 1911-12

8) 20.6º in 1976-77

9) 20.9º in 1919-20

10) 21.2º in 1978-79

[Chicago WX]

Closer to home, here's where the West Lafayette 6NW COOP ranks with winter temps. Records began at this station in 1900.

 

Coldest Winter

1) 17.2º in 1977-78

2) 18.6º in 1976-77

2) 18.6º in 1903-04

4) 19.0º in 1978-79

4) 19.0º in 1962-63

6) 19.6º in 2013-14 thru 2/24

7) 20.7º in 1981-82

8) 20.8º in 1909-10

9) 21.2º in 1904-05

10) 21.9º in 1914-15

 

Coldest February

1) 12.2º in 1978

2) 13.6º in 1979

3) 16.8º in 2007

4) 17.2º in 2014 thru 2/24

5) 17.4º in 1963

6) 17.6º in 1905

7) 18.0º in 1914

8) 19.3º in 1902

9) 19.7º in 1904

10) 20.0º in 1980

 

Coldest January-February

1) 13.3º in 1979

2) 13.9º in 1978

3) 15.2º in 1912

4) 16.4º in 2014 thru 2/24

4) 16.4º in 1963

6) 16.9º in 1977

7) 17.6º in 1904

8) 18.0º in 1914

9) 18.2º in 1982

10) 18.6º in 1905

 

Missing data for parts or all of 1900, 1907, 1909, 1910-11, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1948-49 to 1952-53.

[Chicago WX]

2013-14 meteorological winter for Indianapolis: 8th coldest and the snowiest on record.

 

Temperatures records since 1871...snowfall records since 1884.

 

A comparison chart below. Rankings by mean temperatures and each winters snowfall...and then vice versa for snowfall. 1977-78, 1978-79, and 2013-14 were the only three winters to make both lists. 1981-82 did just miss (DJF temp of 24.7º), coming up one place shy with temperatures.

 

 

 

[Chicago WX]

2013-14 meteorological winter for Fort Wayne: 6th coldest and 2nd snowiest on record.

 

Same deal as Indy above, with the chart below. Only 1977-78, 1981-82, and 2013-14 made both lists.

 

Airport temperature and snowfall records began in 1911.

 

[Chicago WX]

West Lafayette 6 NW COOP meteorological winter mean temperatures...2013-14 the 6th coldest on record (since 1900).

 

1) 17.2º in 1977-78

2) 18.6º in 1976-77

2) 18.6º in 1903-04

4) 19.0º in 1978-79

4) 19.0º in 1962-63

6) 19.5º in 2013-14

7) 20.7º in 1981-82

8) 20.8º in 1909-10

9) 21.2º in 1904-05

10) 21.9º in 1914-15