Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Clinton, Indiana

2026-01-23 · Clinton, Indiana

Event narrative

Temperatures on the morning of the 23rd were as low as 0F, while gusty winds were sustained as high as 17 mph...resulting in extreme wind chills as low as -21F.

Wider weather episode

Following a period of sub-zero temperatures and lingering impacts from previous winter weather, most central Indiana counties remained under a deep arctic influence as the 23rd began. Skies remained relatively clear overnight as a potent arctic high-pressure system, centered over the Midwest, dominated the regional weather pattern.

West-northwest winds, sustained at 15'20 mph and gusting higher at times, ushered in a secondary surge of arctic air by pre-dawn on the 23rd. Ambient temperatures bottomed out between -2F and 1F across the northern and western tiers of central Indiana. These persistent breezes led to a primary period of criteria wind chills for several counties, including Warren, Clinton, Fountain, Tippecanoe, and Montgomery. Wind chills plummeted to between -21F and -24F within the 23rd 0730'1100 EST period, with the most extreme conditions centered in Montgomery County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1311191. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.