Poynter & Bucheri, an Indianapolis injury law firm, compared 10 winters (2016-17 through 2025-26) of IMPD crash reports from the City of Indianapolis Vision Zero crash map with NOAA snowfall records from Indianapolis International Airport. On the first day of measurable snow each winter, Indianapolis had 834 crashes in total against a usual 647.5 for the same weekdays, about 29% more, and crashes were higher in 7 of the 10 winters.
You've heard it: the first snow of the year is when everybody forgets how to drive. Here's what the numbers say.
Key findings: first snow and crashes in Indianapolis
- On the first measurable snow day of each winter from 2016-17 through 2025-26, Indianapolis had 834 IMPD-reported crashes in total, compared with 647.5 on the same weekday in nearby snow-free weeks, about 29% (28.8%) more.
- Crashes were higher than usual on the first snow day in 7 of 10 Indianapolis winters.
- In Indianapolis, the first snow of 1 inch or more wasn't clearly worse than later 1-inch snows: the median first 1-inch day ran about 17% above normal, and the median later 1-inch day ran about 22% above normal.
- The worst first snow in the 10 winters was Dec. 13, 2016, when 3.9 inches fell at Indianapolis International Airport and IMPD reported 165 crashes, more than twice the usual 77.4 for a Tuesday.
- When the first storm carried into a second day, the second day was sometimes worse: 112 crashes on Nov. 12, 2019 (after 80 on Nov. 11), and 92 on Nov. 10, 2025 (after 36 on Nov. 9).
First snow crashes in Indianapolis, winter by winter (2016-2026)
Table 1. IMPD-reported crashes on the first day with 0.1 inch or more of snow at Indianapolis International Airport, compared with the average for the same weekday 1-4 weeks before and after (snow days excluded).
| Winter | First measurable snow | Snow (in.) | Crashes that day | Usual for that weekday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | Tue, Dec. 13, 2016 | 3.9 | 165 | 77.4 |
| 2017-18 | Sat, Dec. 9, 2017 | 0.4 | 108 | 72.6 |
| 2018-19 | Wed, Nov. 14, 2018 | 0.1 | 79 | 83.6 |
| 2019-20 | Mon, Nov. 11, 2019 | 2.8 | 80 | 84.2 |
| 2020-21 | Wed, Dec. 16, 2020 | 1.8 | 101 | 70.7 |
| 2021-22 | Sun, Nov. 14, 2021 | 0.5 | 77 | 63.6 |
| 2022-23 | Sat, Nov. 12, 2022 | 2.7 | 78 | 64.4 |
| 2023-24 | Sun, Dec. 31, 2023 | 0.1 | 46 | 36.0 |
| 2024-25 | Thu, Nov. 21, 2024 | 3.2 | 64 | 56.0 |
| 2025-26 | Sun, Nov. 9, 2025 | 0.5 | 36 | 39.0 |
The full table is available as a download: first-snow-crashes-indianapolis-2016-2026.csv.
The 2023-24 first snow is a judgment call. Just 0.1 inch fell late on Dec. 31, New Year's Eve, so the extra crashes that day may have little to do with snow.
Is the day after the first snow worse?
In Indianapolis, when the first snowstorm ran into a second day, the second day sometimes had more crashes than the first. In 2019, the Monday snow day had 80 crashes. Tuesday had 112. The National Weather Service treats Nov. 11-12, 2019 as one snow and cold event, and Tuesday still had snow on the ground and freezing roads (NWS). In 2025, Sunday's 0.5 inch brought 36 crashes. Monday brought another 1.3 inches, a record for the date, and 92 crashes (NWS). So neither one was a dry day after.
Is the first snow worse than later snows?
Not clearly. Comparing like with like, the first day each winter with an inch or more of snow ran about 17% above normal (median). The 35 later days with an inch or more ran about 22% above normal (median). Over the 10 winters, the first 1-inch days had 837 crashes against 671.8 usual, higher in 6 of 10 winters. So the data backs "snow days are rough." It doesn't back "the first one is special."
Winter driving tips for Indianapolis's first snow
- Slow down and leave a lot more room than you think you need. Stopping on snow takes longer.
- Clear all the snow off the car, not just a peephole.
- Plan for the second day too. In 2019 and 2025, the second day of the first storm had more crashes than the first. And roads that refreeze overnight can stay slick.
If someone else's driving hurt you this winter, get checked out, keep your paperwork, and call Poynter & Bucheri at (317) 780-8000 if you have questions. You can also read how to get your Indiana crash report, check your filing deadline, or learn more about car accident cases.
FAQ
Are there more crashes on the first snow day in Indianapolis? Usually. Across 10 winters (2016-17 to 2025-26), Indianapolis had about 29% more IMPD-reported crashes on the first measurable snow day than on comparable snow-free days, and crashes were higher in 7 of 10 winters.
Is the first snow more dangerous than later snows? Not clearly. The median first 1-inch snow day ran about 17% above normal, compared with about 22% for later 1-inch days.
What was the worst first snow day for crashes in Indianapolis? Dec. 13, 2016: 3.9 inches of snow and 165 IMPD-reported crashes, more than twice the usual 77.4 for a Tuesday.
Methodology: how we measured first-snow crashes
- Snow. Daily snowfall at Indianapolis International Airport (station USW00093819) from NOAA's Global Historical Climatology Network. "Measurable" means 0.1 inch or more, the same first-snow measure the NWS Indianapolis office uses. Storm details are from NWS Indianapolis event pages for Dec. 2016, Nov. 2019, Nov. 2022 and Nov. 2025.
- Crashes. Every IMPD-reported crash on the City of Indianapolis Vision Zero crash map, Jan. 2016 through Dec. 2025, counted by local calendar day. Data pulled October 2026.
- Date range. Winters 2016-17 through 2025-26. The 2025-26 winter counts snow only through Dec. 31, 2025, the end of the crash data.
- "Usual." The average for the same weekday 1 to 4 weeks before and after, leaving out any of those days that had snow.
- Later snows. See "Is the first snow worse than later snows?" above.
Limitations
- Snow is counted by calendar day at the airport, so a storm that starts late at night can push crashes into the next day.
- Every crash on that map is listed as an IMPD report, so crashes worked by other departments, like the State Police or most small-town departments, mostly aren't in it. A small share of points (under 1%) are tagged to the Meridian Hills/Williams Creek and Southport police jurisdictions.
- Holidays in the comparison window can push the average up or down.
- Injury counts aren't used because the field is missing after May 2025.
- This shows that crashes rose on those days. It doesn't prove the snow caused every one.
How to cite this study
Poynter & Bucheri, LLC, "First Snow Crashes in Indianapolis: 10 Winters of Data (2016-2026)," indianaaccidents.com, October 30, 2026. Journalists may use the findings and the table with a link to this page. The data files, map and charts are licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/): you may reuse them with credit to Poynter & Bucheri and a link back to this study. The article text and the firm's name and logo remain all rights reserved, and are not covered by that license. Media contact: (317) 780-8000, don@pb-law.com.