The State of Indiana, is a Northern state located in the Great Lakes region of the United States of America. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and of the lower 48 states, Indiana is the smallest state in the continental United States west of the Appalachian Mountains. Its capital and largest city is Indianapolis.

Indiana is  known nationally for its sports teams and athletic events: the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, the NBA's Indiana Pacers, the Indianapolis 500 motorsports race, the largest single-day sporting event in the world, and for a strong basketball tradition, often called Hoosier Hysteria.

 
Climate

Most of Indiana has a humid continental climate, with hot, humid summers and cool to cold winters. The extreme southern portions of the state border on a humid subtropical climate  with somewhat milder winters. Summertime maximum temperatures average around 90 °F with cooler nights around 60 °F. Winters are a little more variable, but generally cool to cold temperatures with all but the northern part of the state averaging above freezing for the maximum January temperature, and the minimum temperature below 20°F  for most of the state.  The state receives a good amount of precipitation, 41.5 inches annually statewide, in all four seasons. Amounts vary significantly, with the northern part of the state averaging 37 inches, and the southern part averaging 47 inches. March through August are the typically the wettest monthes of the year. Winter months average three inches of rain, making it the driest time of the year.

The state commonly experiences severe weather, with both winter storms and thunderstorms. Snow fall varies significantly across the state, with northern Indiana averaging 76 inches  annually, and southern Indiana averaging 14 inches  annually. Indiana occasionally experiences blizzards, some due to Lake-effect snow.  The state averages around 40–50 days of thunderstorms per year, with March and April being the period of most severe storms.