Replies

[diggler]

Winter storm watch expected Friday night in LaPorte, St. Joseph counties

Times Staff Dec 7, 2017 Updated 6 hrs ago

LaPorte and St. Joseph counties will be under a winter storm watch beginning Friday night and lasting through Saturday night, according to the National Weather Service.

Heavy and blowing snow is possible, the NWS said, with wind gusts of 20 to 35 mph.

Drivers should plan for difficult travel conditions, the weather service said. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 inches are possible, with localized heavier amounts expected.

A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel, the NWS said.

A dusting of snow overnight made for a slippery Thursday morning commute throughout Northwest Indiana.

Snow is expected to fall mainly before noon Saturday in Lake and Porter counties, while LaPorte County could see a transition to lake-effect snow flurries Saturday afternoon and evening.

[diggler]

It's slick and slushy on the roads; weather advisory continues until noon

Times Staff


Roads were slick in some areas early Friday, and forecasters warned the sleet and snow could continue falling until noon.

Indiana State Police for the Toll Road said they were responding to a serious crash about 6:45 a.m. near Ind. 39 in the LaPorte area.

State police at the Lowell post said icy, slushy conditions had not caused too much of a problem yet.

Three westbound South Shore Line commuter trains — 106, 108 and 110 — were delayed 20 to 30 minutes because of an issue with overhead lines, according to several alerts.

Several schools announced delays and closures.

A winter weather advisory for Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton and Jasper counties remained in effect until noon, according to the National Weather Service.

A light glaze of ice and a total of 1 to 2 inches of snow and ice accumulation were expected this morning in Lake, Porter, Newton and Jasper counties. LaPorte County could see up to 3 inches of accumulated sleet and snow and up to a tenth of an inch of ice.

The freezing rain, sleet and snow was expected to turn to snow later Friday morning. Lake-effect snow showers were expected to develop this afternoon from Chicago southeast into Lake County and shift east into Lake and Porter counties later this evening.

The weather service predicted temperatures in LaPorte County would begin falling into the teens and lower 20s later today, with wind chills near zero by late afternoon and tonight.

Lake-effect snow showers could persist Saturday, and more snow was expected to develop across the area late Sunday into Monday morning.