Sometimes, winter in Indiana can feel like it takes FOREVER. It’s cold, the nights last a little too long, the days are much too short, and sometimes it seems like the sky doesn’t know how to do anything but snow. Well, today, we’re going to reminisce about one such winter in Indiana that could easily be THE coldest winter in Indiana; one where the Hoosier State spent 880 consecutive hours below 32 degrees. You read that right, and if you were there, there’s no way you don’t remember this one – it was wild.

On December 29th, 1977, things seemed relatively normal for a Hoosier winter.
Tom Gill/Flickr
But when temperatures dipped below freezing, nobody realized at the time that this was going to last... for a while, to say the least.
Temperatures would not reach any higher than 32 degrees for another 34 days.
Indiana Dunes National Park/Flickr
During these 35 days, there would be snow, a historic blizzard, and all sorts of fun goings-on to make everything even better (note the sarcasm). It's worth mentioning that during the infamous Indiana Blizzard of 1978, Indiana received its highest snowfall totals ever. This winter was not messing around.
So, just how long is 880 hours?
rsetup/Flickr
880 hours is 3,168,000 seconds. It's 440 two-hour drives. It's an outrageously long time that no doubt felt like an eternity at the time.

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On average, Indianapolis sees about 29 days in which the mercury fails to rise to at least 32 degrees.
Joseph Gage/Flickr
The winter of 1977-1978 was so intense that it knocked this average out of the park - and then some.
It also brought with it record-breaking snowstorms (including that awful blizzard we mentioned), and several fatalities.
Tom Gill/Flickr
Don't get us wrong, winter in Indiana is amazing... most of the time. Sometimes, though, it's a little bit much, and we think that the cold snap of '77-'78 qualifies as "much." It was, after all, pretty absurd.
Thankfully, nothing like that has happened since, though there have been a few times when we nervously eyed our porch thermometers after several days of below-freezing temps, willing them not to stay that low for too long.
Joseph Gage/Flickr

Of course, none of this means Indiana winters aren’t still absolutely beautiful… just look at the breathtaking photography above. It’s hard not to appreciate the beauty of it all, despite the occasional discomfort. If you’re like us, and you can’t get enough of winter in Indiana, you might want to also read about the best things to do in Indiana in December and beyond! not sure what to pack for a winter staycation? Check out our handy indoor staycation guide!

Were you around for the wild winter of ’77? Was it really the coldest winter in Indiana history? Tell us about it in the comments if so – we love hearing your stories and learning about your experiences!

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Coldest Winter in Indiana

Tori Jane | November 19, 2023

What was the coldest winter in Indiana?  

The “coldest winter” in Indiana can mean a bunch of things – the year with the coldest day in it, the year with more days below freezing than normal, or anything else, really. Some of the coldest winters in Indiana have been:  

  • 1994 – New Whiteland, Indiana, records an incredibly low temperature of –36 degrees... the single lowest temperature ever recorded in the Hoosier State.  
  • 1985 – Temperatures drop to –22 degrees in Indianapolis. Pipes and plumbing suffer for it, not used to such extremes.  
  • 1978 – The Great Blizzard blows through Indiana and other Midwestern states. Indianapolis records 15.5 inches of snow.  

Learn more about some of the worst blizzards in Indiana’s history. 

Where did the Blizzard of 1978 hit?  

The Blizzard of 1978 occurred in northern Indiana on January 16th and 27th, 1978. It shut down just about the entire state and presented issues never before seen in the city of Indianapolis. An estimated 15 and a half inches of snow fell in Indy alone, and both Indiana and Illinois were under feet of the fluffy white stuff for weeks after the face. Altogether, more than 30.6 inches of snow were recorded that month, mostly thanks to the incredible storm. Learn more about the snowiest city in Indiana.  

What is winter in Indiana like?  

Winter in Indiana is a beautiful time of year, even when it’s cold and snowy. We here in the Midwest know how to make sure winter is fun, and there are plenty of fun things to do in Indiana during the winter, such as:  

  • Frozen waterfalls – Start with Cataract Falls and then see about visiting many others. Indiana’s waterfalls are awesome during the summer, but when frozen over in the winter they’re extra epic. 
  • Veal Ice Tree – This family tradition didn’t take long to become a statewide tradition; check out this epic man-made ice tree in Indy.  
  • Festival of Trees – This amazing, sparkly tradition sees more than 100 gorgeous Christmas trees all lit up for your amazement in a short event worth traveling for.  

Learn more about winter in Indiana!  

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