Interesting weather facts for Indiana
During the nine day strencth of January 11-19, 1997, Fort Wayne recorded eight days with low temperatures below zero; during all but two of those days the daily highs were only in the single digits.
On the afternoon of February 26, 2000, the temperature in West Lafayette, IN soared to a high of 73°, the highest temperature ever recorded in West Lafayette for the month of February. Just two weeks later, on March 9th, the temperature hit 80°!
The high temperature in the month of February 2000 in Indianapolis was 75°, in March it was 79°, and in April it was only 75°. This is the first time since records have been kept in Indianapolis (circa 1800s) that the high temperature in February has matched or exceeded the high temperature in April.
March 8 holds the title of the date with the earliest recorded 80° temperature in Fort Wayne, well a month before any other 80° record high temperature.
During the two and a half month period of April 7 - June 18, 1997
much below normal temperatures were experienced in Indiana. In Fort Wayne, only 5 of these 73 days recorded above normal temperatures.
On June 22, 1992, the temperature in Fort Wayne, Indiana dipped to
41°, a record low for that date. In outlying areas, light frost was reported, this two days after the official first day of summer.
A strong cold front on September 28, 1999 brought to an end one of the longest dry periods in Indiana weather history. During a forty-four day period extending from August 16 - September 28 Indianapolis only received .07 inches of rain and Lafayette received only .11 inches of rain. If it were not for the rains from the cold front on the 28th-29th, September would have gone down as the driest month ever for both cities. Instead, Lafayette finished the month at just below normal and Indianapolis only finished 7th all-time for the month of September, which is exceptional, but nothing compared to what it would have been if it were not for the storms on the 28th and 29th. To see an amazing satellite image of this cold front
click here.
Along with the cold front were strong thunderstorms which brought 70 mph winds to Columbia City
and an accumulation of 4 inches of hail on the ground in Battleground.
On September 20, 1995, two days before the first day of fall, the temperature in Fort Wayne, Indiana dipped to a chilling 29°, by far the earliest freeze of the season. The nearby town of Columbia City reported an even colder 27°, while West Lafayette took the honors of the coldest place in Indiana with a temperature of only 25°!
The first full week of October, 1997 in Fort Wayne, Indiana saw six straight days with 80°+ degree weather which happened to be the second longest stretch of 80°+ days that year!
October 10, 1971 brought the earliest measurable snowfall in Fort
Wayne, Indiana when 1.9" was recorded.
On October 19, 1999 a record October snowfall occurred for the north and central parts of the state as up to 10.5 inches fell in Kokomo, 9.3 inches fell in Indianapolis, 8.8 inches in South Bend, and 6.4 inches in Fort Wayne.
November 5, 1927 brought the first frost of the fall season to Fort Wayne, IN, setting a city record for the latest first freeze.
During the month of December, 1992, Fort Wayne, IN recorded 21 consecutive days without sunshine. December is normally the cloudiest month in this area due to the lake effect clouds off of Lake Michigan; however, 21 consecutive days is a lot!
Record high for Fort Wayne, IN : 106°
Record low for Fort Wayne, IN : -24°
Major Indiana weather events over this century as compiled by the National Weather Service office in Indianapolis, IN
All information compiled by Joseph A. Grim.