January 19, 2025

Indianapolis opens overnight warming center amid ‘dangerous’ winter chill

The National Weather Service warns that temperatures could reach as low as negative 20 degrees Fahrenheit. - Farah Yousry/WFYI

The National Weather Service warns that temperatures could reach as low as negative 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Farah Yousry/WFYI

Indianapolis extended the availability of an overnight warming center citing dangerous winter conditions. 

An extreme wind chill is forecasted to barrel toward Central Indiana Sunday night, with the temperature expected to reach zero degrees Fahrenheit by Monday morning. 

The warming center will be open Sunday, Jan. 19 through 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22. 

The National Weather Service released a hazardous weather advisory, warning that “very cold temperatures are expected with wind chills up to 20 below zero.” 

These will be “bitter cold conditions,” the advisory read.

People in need of shelter during the winter freeze, such as people experiencing homelessness, can find the warming center at Washington Park Family Center. No check-in is required.

In addition to Washington Park Family Center, warming centers at Broad Ripple and Garfield Park will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20. All other park centers will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Tuesday, Jan. 21, all Indy Parks Family Centers will return to serving as warming centers during regular business hours.

The Office of Public Health and Safety published a map that shows the locations of shelters, warming centers, and more. 

People in need of help can visit the Mayor’s Action Center online or 211 for directions to a warming center or other services.

Contact WFYI data journalist Zak Cassel at zcassel@wfyi.org.

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