Bitter cold wind chills hit Central Indiana, prompting advisory

Biting wind chills and bitterly cold temperatures have settled across Central Indiana and will persist through much of Wednesday morning, prompting a wind chill advisory.

Across Central Indiana, wind chill values remained below zero as of 6:30 a.m. The frigid wind chills began late Tuesday and are expected to be lowest in the early morning hours before the sun rises.

The advisory for Central Indiana will last through 11 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

As of 6 a.m., Indianapolis recorded a wind chill value of minus 10, coupled with a temperature of 1 degree, according to meteorologists.

The National Weather Service said a system of high pressure coming from Canada ushered in the arctic conditions, which has made for the coldest day of the season so far. Areas north of the Indianapolis metro, including Lafayette, Muncie and Kokomo, are recording the coldest wind chill values for the region, dipping near minus 20.

NWS Meteorologist Mike Ryan said the wind chill values will be lowest for the next few hours until the sun rises, which will warm up temperatures to the teens and 20 degrees later in the day.

Residents are urged to dress in layers and limit time outside to avoid frostbite, which can occur “in a matter of minutes” if someone is outdoors, Ryan said.

By nightfall, meteorologists said the cold will return but conditions will not be as frigid. The high temperatures for Thursday could be anywhere from high 20s to 30 degrees.

Contact Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com or 317-503-7514.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis weather: Wind chill advisory in effect