Halloween in Indiana isn’t just about costumes and candy. The weather can shape the whole night, so knowing what’s coming makes planning a lot easier. Most years, you’ll see highs near 60 degrees and lows around 40 in much of the state.
You might step outside and feel a crisp breeze—perfect for walking the neighborhood. Or maybe you’ll end up dodging chilly rain showers.
Snow almost never happens, but hey, it’s Indiana, so it has shown up before. Wind or thick clouds can change the mood of the evening pretty fast.
If you understand these patterns, you’ll be better prepared for trick-or-treating, local events, or maybe even a quick weekend trip. By checking out typical temperatures, rain chances, and oddball weather events, you’ll start to see why Halloween here can feel totally different each year.
Typical Halloween Weather in Indiana
When you’re planning for Halloween in Indiana, expect cool air, a chance of rain, and temperatures that swing wildly from year to year.
Records from Indianapolis really show how unpredictable late October can be. Sometimes you get mild evenings, and other times you’ll need to bundle up for frost.
Average High and Low Temperatures
On October 31, the average high temperature in Indianapolis sits at about 60°F. The average low usually drops to around 42°F.
If you’re outside, you’ll probably want a jacket or at least a couple of layers.
Highs in the 50s and 60s pop up most often, and that’s been true since records started in 1871. You might get a day in the 70s, but that’s not the norm. Hitting 80 degrees is almost unheard of.
Once the sun sets, temperatures drop fast. Evening trick-or-treating usually means lows in the upper 30s or low 40s, and if there’s wind or a bit of rain, it feels even colder.
Normal Weather Patterns on October 31
Rain isn’t exactly rare on Halloween in central Indiana. Since the late 1800s, about one-third of Halloweens in Indianapolis have had measurable precipitation.
Most years, you’ll just get light showers—not downpours—but it’s enough to make costumes soggy and candy runs a little less fun.
Snow? Not likely, but it has happened. The most Indianapolis has ever gotten on Halloween is 0.1 inches, and that only happened in 1890 and 2014.
You’re way more likely to get drizzle or overcast skies than snow.
Wind can make things feel colder, too. A breezy evening in the 40s can feel downright chilly, so keep that in mind for outdoor plans.
Historical Extremes for Halloween
Halloween weather in Indiana has seen some wild swings.
The warmest October 31 in Indianapolis got up to 82°F in 1950. The coldest high? Just 35°F, back in 1873 and 1878.
Low temperatures have dropped as far as 24°F in 1988 and 1925. On the flip side, the mildest Halloween nights hovered in the low 60s.
Rain can get pretty intense, too. The wettest Halloween dumped over 2 inches of rain in 2013—not exactly great for outdoor fun. These extremes aren’t common, but they do happen, which just adds to the unpredictability of late October in the Midwest.
Rain and Precipitation Trends
Late October in Indiana usually brings a mix of rain and unsettled weather. You’ll want to keep an eye on both the chance of showers and the kind of storms that might roll through, especially if you’re planning to be outside.
Chance of Rain on Halloween
Indianapolis records show that Halloween has a moderate chance of rain. About 3 out of every 10 Halloweens see measurable precipitation.
You’re more likely to stay dry, but rain isn’t exactly a surprise.
Rainfall timing matters more than how much falls. Showers often pop up during the day, and evenings tend to be a bit drier. That’s good news if you’re heading out after sunset.
Across Indiana, chances shift a bit by region. Southern cities like Evansville get a little more rain, while northern spots like Fort Wayne can be drier but colder. Still, the average statewide points to a decent risk of wet weather on October 31.
Typical Rainfall Amounts
When rain does fall on Halloween in Indiana, it’s usually just light to moderate.
In Indianapolis, late October averages about 0.10 to 0.15 inches of precipitation per day. Heavier rain happens, but not all that often.
Most wet Halloweens bring less than half an inch—enough to make the streets damp and sidewalks a bit slick, but flooding is pretty rare.
Here’s a quick look at Halloween rainfall in Indianapolis:
| Rainfall Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|
| No measurable rain | ~70% of years |
| Light rain (<0.25″) | ~20% of years |
| Moderate rain (0.25″–0.50″) | ~7% of years |
| Heavy rain (>0.50″) | ~3% of years |
So, while rain can show up, heavy downpours are definitely unusual.
Thunderstorm Possibilities
Thunderstorms don’t happen a lot on Halloween in Indiana, but you can’t rule them out.
Fall weather here can still bring strong cold fronts, and if there’s leftover warmth, storms can fire up.
In Indianapolis, thunderstorms have popped up on a handful of Halloweens. They’re more likely in the afternoon when it’s warmer and the air is unstable. By evening, storm chances usually drop off.
Severe storms are rare in late October, but they’ve happened. Strong winds and a few lightning flashes are the main worries. Even a quick storm can mess up outdoor plans, especially for kids out in the neighborhood.
If you’re planning to be outside, check the forecast for storm timing. Most Halloweens just bring light rain, but you never know—a thunderstorm could be part of Indiana’s unpredictable fall weather.
Wind and Cloud Cover Conditions
Late October in Indiana can get pretty unsettled. You’ll notice breezy afternoons, gusts that come with passing fronts, and skies that shift from partly sunny to totally overcast, depending on the day.
These conditions can really affect comfort and how well you can see during outdoor activities.
Average Wind Speeds and Gusts
Central Indiana, including Indianapolis, usually gets winds averaging 8–12 mph in late October.
That’s enough to notice, especially if you’re walking in open areas. The breeze usually comes from the west or southwest as cold fronts roll through.
Short bursts of stronger gusts aren’t uncommon. Gusts of 20–30 mph can blow through when a front passes, and some years, storms have brought even higher speeds. Past Halloweens have even seen gusts near 40–50 mph if a thunderstorm sweeps by.
If you’re outside, prepare for shifting wind. Costumes with loose fabric, hats, or anything lightweight might not survive the night. If you’re driving, especially on highways like I‑65 or I‑70, those gusts can make things tricky.
Cloudiness and Clear Skies
Cloud cover is all over the place from year to year. Some Halloweens have been mostly sunny with just a few clouds, while others have been stuck under low, gray skies.
About one‑third of Halloweens in Indianapolis bring measurable rain, and that usually means thick clouds.
Even if it doesn’t rain, you might still get overcast skies. Cold fronts that move through Indiana often leave behind clouds that linger. These clouds can keep daytime temperatures cooler and make evenings feel damp.
Clear skies do happen, but not as often. When they do, you’ll notice the temperature drops fast after sunset. That can make trick‑or‑treating or late-night events feel way colder than the afternoon suggested.
Snow and Unusual Weather Events
Snow on Halloween in Indiana is rare, but it’s not impossible.
Most years, you get cool, dry, or rainy weather, but records show that Indianapolis has seen measurable snow and some cold snaps that definitely stand out.
Likelihood of Snowfall
You probably won’t see snow on Halloween in Indianapolis, but never say never.
Since 1871, only two Halloweens with measurable snowfall have been recorded: 1890 and 2014, each with just 0.1 inches. Some years have seen just flurries or a trace.
Statistically, snow on Halloween is extremely rare. Rain is much more likely, with about a one-in-three chance of measurable precipitation. If snow does show up, it usually means a seriously cold air mass has pushed temperatures way below the usual highs.
So if you’re visiting, plan for chilly evenings, not snow. If you head north of Indy, your odds of seeing snow go up a little, but even there, it’s not common.
Notable Weather Records
Indianapolis has logged some wild weather on October 31.
The warmest Halloween? 82°F in 1950. Coldest high? 35°F in both 1873 and 1878. The lowest low dropped to 24°F in 1988 and 1925.
Rain has set some records, too. The wettest Halloween brought 2.01 inches of rain in 2013, which made trick-or-treating a soggy challenge. Snowfall records are tiny but memorable, like the 2014 flurries that people still talk about.
So, yeah, you can’t really predict what you’ll get. Most years stick close to the average—60°F high and 42°F low—but you should be ready for anything from a warm evening to a sudden chill.
Regional Differences Across Indiana
Halloween weather in Indiana really depends on where you are.
Central spots like Indianapolis usually line up with the statewide averages, but the north and south can be pretty different in both temperature and rain.
Weather in Central Indiana
In Indianapolis, late October temperatures usually land near 60°F for highs and 42°F for lows.
Records have swung from the mid-30s to the low-80s, but most years sit in the 50s or 60s. Central Indiana ends up pretty moderate compared to the rest of the state.
Rain isn’t rare. About 35% of Halloweens since 1871 in Indianapolis have had measurable precipitation. Snow is rare, but it’s happened at least twice, with a trace in 2014 and back in 1890.
Get ready for quick temperature swings. Cold fronts can drop evening trick-or-treating temps into the 30s, even if the afternoon felt nice. Light jackets and layers are usually your best bet for comfort.
Northern vs. Southern Indiana Trends
Northern Indiana is usually cooler and more likely to get early frost. Highs often stick in the low to mid-50s by late October, and lows can dip into the 30s. Cloud cover and the lake can make evenings feel even colder, especially near Lake Michigan.
Southern Indiana stays a few degrees warmer. Places like Evansville often see highs in the mid-60s and lows in the mid-40s. This warmer pattern means a longer fall season, with leaves hanging on longer and less frost risk by Halloween.
Rainfall patterns shift, too. Northern counties might get more cloudy, damp days, while the south often has drier, clearer evenings. If you’re traveling across Indiana, expect to notice the difference in both comfort and what you’ll want to wear.
Weather Impact on Trick-or-Treating
Indiana’s Halloween weather can change fast, and that definitely affects how long kids stay out and what families need to bring.
Rain, wind, or chilly air won’t always stop trick-or-treating, but they can make it less comfortable and sometimes a little less safe.
Evening Conditions for Outdoor Activities
Halloween evenings in Indiana usually sit somewhere in the 50s or 60s. Sometimes, though, temperatures drop into the 40s after sunset.
Most people grab a light jacket or toss on a couple of layers, especially if they’ve got little kids in tow.
Rain shows up pretty often, but heavy storms don’t happen much. Showers might move through earlier, leaving behind damp sidewalks and cooler air by the time it gets dark. Occasionally, you might spot a few snowflakes, but honestly, measurable snow almost never happens.
Wind tends to play a role too. Breezes usually run around 5 to 15 mph, but every now and then, stronger gusts cut right through. Wet leaves on the sidewalk can make for some slippery spots.
Daylight fades fast, so trick-or-treating usually happens in the dark. If clouds roll in, neighborhoods feel even dimmer, so adding lights to costumes or buckets really helps people see where they’re going.
Tips for Safe Trick-or-Treating in Changing Weather
Indiana’s Halloween weather can be all over the place, so it helps to stay ready. I usually dress kids in layers so they stay warm but don’t get too hot.
A thin rain jacket or poncho usually fits over most costumes without much hassle. That way, you don’t have to worry if it suddenly starts to drizzle.
Footwear really matters. Waterproof shoes or boots make a big difference when sidewalks are wet from earlier rain.
Try to avoid costumes that drag on the ground. Wet fabric can trip kids up or just end up soggy and heavy.
I always carry flashlights or stick some reflective tape on costumes for better visibility in the dark. It’s even more important when skies are cloudy or the streetlights just aren’t doing their job.
I keep an eye on local forecasts throughout the day. If storms look likely, you might need to change your route or cut the outing short.
Having a backup plan like checking out indoor community events means the kids still get to have some fun, even if the weather turns nasty.