NOAA normal Indianapolis averages about 25.5 inches of snow a seasonFreeze-thaw About 69 freeze-thaw days a year in Indy in our count of NOAA dataIndy rule If snow stops after 9 a.m., Indianapolis sidewalks are due by 7 p.m.Studs Indiana allows studded tires October 1 to May 1Est. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Rule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during itNOAA normal Indianapolis averages about 25.5 inches of snow a seasonFreeze-thaw About 69 freeze-thaw days a year in Indy in our count of NOAA dataIndy rule If snow stops after 9 a.m., Indianapolis sidewalks are due by 7 p.m.Studs Indiana allows studded tires October 1 to May 1Est. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Rule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during it

Price figures are estimates from public bids and published price lists, not quotes. Where these numbers come from

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How a Central Indiana winter unfolds

Indianapolis snowfall, freeze-thaw counts and the season month by month.

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A Central Indiana winter is a mix: moderate snow, frequent freezing rain and plenty of freeze-thaw. Here's how a typical season tends to go. Any given year can differ.

Snowfall and freeze-thaw

Place	Average seasonal snowfall	Freeze-thaw days a year
Indianapolis	25.5 in	69.4

Snowfall: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 normals.¹ Freeze-thaw days: our count of days with a high above 32°F and a low below 32°F in NOAA GHCN-Daily records, 1991–2020 average.²

The season, month by month

November: line up supply

First freezes on bridges and shaded drives. Pre-buy and fill your pile.

December: first snows and ice

Pavement still warm. Brine ahead; rock salt works on most events.

January to February: the core of winter

Most of the snow and the coldest pavement. Treated salt on docks and walks.

March: freeze-thaw

Warm days, cold nights. Watch refreeze around piles.

Next in the guideStorm-readiness checklist →

Sources

Figures are quoted from the sources above. Conditions on your sites vary; follow product labels and your own calibration.