March Weather Keeps Indiana On Its Toes This Year

March in Indiana: When Winter Refuses to Leave

I know, I writing an article about the "S" word especially when tomorrow is officially the first day of spring. But if you’ve lived in Indiana long enough, you know one thing is almost guaranteed just when you think winter is over, March proves you wrong. Now, I will be the first to say I feel like we got pretty lucky when it came to winter this year and knock on wood no snow this month. In my opinion I would say this winter has been pretty good for the Midwest. In January we had that big snow fall but other than that I would say it's been relatively quiet because with Midwest weather you just never know.

Here in places like Evansville, March is a wild card. One day it’s sunny and pushing 70, the next you’re scraping snow off your windshield. And believe it or not, that unpredictable pattern has a long and surprisingly snowy history.

March Snow Is More Common Than You Think

Even though March feels like the start of spring, snowfall is still very much part of the forecast in Indiana.

On average, central parts of the state see about 3 inches of snow in March and historically, snow has been recorded well into late spring. In fact, the average “last measurable snow” in Indiana happens around mid-March, but it has occurred as late as May in rare cases.

So if you’ve ever been surprised by a late-season snow…you’re definitely not alone.

Historic March Snowstorms

Some of Indiana’s biggest snow moments have actually happened in March.

• March 1906 still holds the title for the snowiest March on record in Indianapolis, with a staggering 30.4 inches of snow
• That same month also produced a single-day snowfall of 12.1 inches, one of the largest March snowfalls ever recorded
• More recently, a storm on March 24, 2018 dropped over 10 inches of snow in a single day, making it one of the biggest March snow events in modern history

And it’s not always spread out evenly. Some March storms come in intense bursts, with snowfall rates reaching 2 inches per hour during heavy bands.

Why March Weather Is So Unpredictable

March sits right on the fence between winter and spring  and Indiana is right in the middle of competing weather systems.

Cold Arctic air can still push south, while warmer, moist air starts moving up from the Gulf. When those two collide, you get everything from rain…to thunderstorms…to heavy, wet snow all sometimes within the same week.

That’s why March in Indiana has earned nicknames like “second winter” or even “fool’s spring.”

What It Means for Drivers in Evansville

For drivers around Evansville, March snow can be especially tricky.

Unlike January or February storms, March snow often:

• Falls when people aren’t expecting it
• Melts quickly and refreezes overnight
• Mixes with rain, creating slick road conditions

Even a small snowfall can turn into hazardous driving conditions especially during early morning commutes.

The Bottom Line

March in Indiana isn’t just a transition month it’s a reminder that winter doesn’t leave quietly.

From record-breaking snowstorms over a century ago to surprise late-season snowfalls today, history shows that March has always kept Hoosiers guessing.

So before you pack away the winter coat for good…you might want to keep it handy just a little longer, but lets hope not!

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