Indianapolis is waking up under a thick blanket of fog and mist this morning, with temperatures stuck in the low 50s and visibility trimmed to around 3 miles in some spots. Drivers should expect a slower-than-usual Thursday commute as pockets of dense fog hang around before conditions gradually improve with a midday burn-off on Feb. 19, 2026.
Afternoon Storms: Timing And Threats
A warm front and strengthening low pressure system will drag showers and thunderstorms across central Indiana this afternoon, sending highs surging to around 68°F with a solid chance of rain. The National Weather Service is calling for scattered strong to severe thunderstorms from Thursday afternoon into the evening, with damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes on the table. The earliest storms to fire up could also pack large hail. Most areas are looking at new rainfall totals from just a few tenths of an inch to roughly three-quarters of an inch in the heaviest bands.
What This Means For Your Commute
Between the reduced visibility and damp pavement, the morning drive could be a slog. If you have to head out early, build in extra travel time, slow down and stick with low beams in the fog. Transit riders should check for any schedule or routing hiccups before leaving home - IndyGo posts real-time rider alerts and detours.
Tonight And Friday: Windy, Cooler
Storms are expected to wind down after a cold front sweeps through late Thursday, but the wind will not be in any hurry to leave. Gusts could reach around 30 mph Thursday night, and stronger mixing on Friday may push gusts into the 30 to 40 mph range while highs only manage the upper 40s. Friday will feel noticeably cooler and more blustery compared with the milder air earlier in the week, so it is a good time to secure loose outdoor items before the gusts really kick in. A brief shot of lake-enhanced snow showers is possible over parts of northeastern counties this weekend as temperatures settle back into the 20s and 30s.
