Sandwiched between Illinois and Ohio, Indiana is one of the smallest of the Midwestern states. Despite its relatively small size, the state's economic base exhibits considerable variation. Agriculture production -- in particular corn, soybeans and wheat -- dominates much of Indiana's landscape. In the state's suburban northwestern corner, on the shores of Lake Michigan, many residents commute to neighboring Chicago. The south is home to the scenic Hoosier National Forest, and scattered throughout Indiana are numerous renowned higher education institutions, including Notre Dame and Purdue. Similarly, Indiana's climate varies depending on the specific location.


The entire state of Indiana falls into the hot-summer humid continental climate category. This climate classification includes four different seasons as well as moderately high humidity and precipitation. Precipitation is fairly uniform throughout the year; the annual average is around 40 inches, with the south typically receiving a few inches more than the north. Year-round, temperatures tend to be a few degrees warmer in the south than in the north, due solely to the differing latitudes.


Although not the wettest time of the year, winter is the cloudiest season. The northern and especially northwestern parts of the state receive more snow than the south because of the winds that blow across Lake Michigan to produce lake effect snow bands. Lake effect snow is heaviest near the lake, but lake-induced snow showers and cloudiness can sometimes extend as far south as central Indiana. Snow accumulations vary each season, but mean totals range from about 15 inches in the southwest to over 70 inches on the shores of Lake Michigan. Measurable snowfall usually begins in late November and ends in late March. Daytime high temperatures in January, the coldest month of the year, average in the middle 30s, with overnight lows averaging in the upper teens.


Summer weather in Indiana can range from pleasant to sultry. Daytime highs average in the low-to-mid 80s and overnight lows in the mid-60s, but heat waves can cause the mercury to soar. Combined with elevated humidity, temperatures can feel quite oppressive. Fortunately, extended periods of searing heat are rare, as cold fronts regularly usher in relatively cooler and drier Canadian air. Droughts can occasionally occur during summer, causing disruption to the state's agricultural backbone. On the other hand, thunderstorms are common during the summer months as well.

Spring and Fall

Temperatures in spring and fall lie between the extremes of winter and summer, but can fluctuate significantly within a short time span as warm and cold air masses battle for control. This clash of differing air masses causes severe weather, particularly in spring, which is peak tornado season in the state. Spring is also the wettest time of the year and can bring floods, whereas autumn tends to be much drier, often the sunniest and least humid season.

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