What should you know about Lafayette's weather?
- NWS office
- Indianapolis (IND)
- Climate
- Hot-summer humid continental
- Time zone
- EST/EDT
- Elevation
- 633 ft
- Coordinates
- 40.40° N, 86.88° W
- Nearest radar
- KIND · Indianapolis NEXRAD · 57 mi
- County
- Tippecanoe County, IN
- Yearly rain
- 37 in
- Warmest month
- July · 73.6°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 25.8°F average
- Severe storm peak
- May to Jul
How much rain does Lafayette get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 33.4 | 38.0 | 49.5 | 61.9 | 72.5 | 81.2 | 83.8 | 82.7 | 77.2 | 64.5 | 50.0 | 38.2 |
| Low °F | 18.2 | 21.4 | 30.4 | 40.3 | 50.7 | 60.1 | 63.4 | 61.7 | 53.9 | 43.0 | 32.6 | 23.8 |
| Rain (in) | 2.19 | 1.78 | 2.73 | 3.84 | 4.04 | 4.56 | 4.08 | 3.12 | 2.59 | 2.91 | 2.87 | 2.29 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33.4 | 18.2 | 2.19 |
| Feb | 38.0 | 21.4 | 1.78 |
| Mar | 49.5 | 30.4 | 2.73 |
| Apr | 61.9 | 40.3 | 3.84 |
| May | 72.5 | 50.7 | 4.04 |
| Jun | 81.2 | 60.1 | 4.56 |
| Jul | 83.8 | 63.4 | 4.08 |
| Aug | 82.7 | 61.7 | 3.12 |
| Sep | 77.2 | 53.9 | 2.59 |
| Oct | 64.5 | 43.0 | 2.91 |
| Nov | 50.0 | 32.6 | 2.87 |
| Dec | 38.2 | 23.8 | 2.29 |
LAFAYETTE PURDUE UNIV AP, IN US · 3 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
How high did the Wabash River get at Lafayette in 1913?
It crested nearly 22 feet above flood stage at Lafayette during the flood of record on the Wabash, which ran from March 25 to 31, 1913. NWS Indianapolis notes that the river was 3 miles wide at Lafayette. Ice can cause trouble too: on February 1, 1982, rapid snowmelt caused ice jams along the Wabash between Lafayette and Terre Haute.
Which parts of Lafayette and West Lafayette flood first?
Riverside parks and trails go first. The flood impact list for the Wabash River gauge at Lafayette says the lower end of Tapawingo Park in West Lafayette and the Heritage Trail begin to flood as lowland flooding develops. Higher water closes SR 225 near Battleground, and the Fort Ouiatenon grounds begin to flood. In a major flood, Williamsburg Apartments and Levee Plaza in West Lafayette begin to flood, along with businesses on Canal and Sycamore Streets in Lafayette.
Has a tornado ever hit Lafayette directly?
Yes. On July 2, 1978, a tornado moved from West Lafayette into Lafayette, damaging roofs and trees. Around midnight on April 26 to 27, 1994, a tornado raced 60 mph from northwest of Lafayette into Carroll County on a 14 mile track 100 yards wide, killing three people and injuring 70 others. NWS Indianapolis lists that storm as an F4 and counts 55 tornadoes in Tippecanoe County from 1950 through 2025. On Palm Sunday, April 11, 1965, another tornado touched down just southeast of Lafayette and moved to near Moran.
How much snow can one storm drop on Lafayette?
Big storms have dropped 17 inches on Lafayette. Seventeen inches fell there in the statewide heavy snow of December 19 to 20, 1973. Lafayette received 17 inches again when blizzard conditions hit north central Indiana from February 12 to 14, 2007. The cold can be just as extreme: on January 2, 1887, Lafayette set the coldest temperature recorded in Indiana in the 19th century, -33°F. Radar shows where snow is falling but not how deep it gets, so check the snowfall forecast too.
Why does Lafayette weather radar come from Indianapolis?
Because the nearest NEXRAD station is KIND near Indianapolis, about 57 miles from the city center. At that range the lowest beam passes well above the ground over Tippecanoe County, so light snow and drizzle near the surface can be missed. Strong thunderstorms still show up clearly on the loop. Use it for storm direction and speed, and lean on NWS Indianapolis warnings for what is happening at ground level.
When should you check the Lafayette radar?
Severe storm season
May to JulyAbout 55% of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from May to July. Check the loop before a game at Ross-Ade Stadium or a walk at Celery Bog Nature Area.
Freeze season
October 12 to April 26These are the normal first fall and last spring dates of a 32°F freeze at West Lafayette. Radar stays quiet on those clear, calm nights, so check the hourly low before planting or driving I-65 at dawn.
What else do people ask about the Lafayette radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Lafayette?
NWS Indianapolis (IND) issues forecasts and warnings for Lafayette. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KIND, about 57 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS Indianapolis and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KIND (Indianapolis NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Indianapolis (IND)
- Severe storms peak from May to July (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: EST/EDT
- Radar: KIND, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Indianapolis (IND)
- Severe storms: May to July
- Local time: EST/EDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Indianapolis office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: LAFAYETTE PURDUE UNIV AP, IN US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- NWS Indianapolis: March weather history for central Indiana
- NOAA NWPS: Wabash River at Lafayette flood impacts
- NWS Indianapolis: Tippecanoe County tornadoes, 1950 to 2025
- NWS Indianapolis: Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1965
- NWS Indianapolis: Frost and freeze dates for central Indiana