Snow is likely to fall in Michiana beginning late Sunday night with temperatures dropping and high winds gusting.
Mike Ryan, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, said a storm system will move into Indiana from the Gulf beginning Sunday night bringing rain with it.
“The colder air comes in behind it. That should change the rainfall over to a mix of rain and snow, which will probably go into all snow by Tuesday,” said Ryan. “There’s still a lot of uncertainty as to how much snow we might see.”
Ryan believes the eastern part of the state will see the greatest impacts of the wintry conditions.
“That’s just based on the location of where the storm will organize and develop. But as we get into the second part of the system Monday night and Tuesday, we could see some snow develop off Lake Michigan. That would impact northern and northeast Indiana, potentially down into the northeast parts of central Indiana such as Muncie and Richmond, but the whole state needs to be prepared,” said Ryan.
Ryan said you also need to pay attention to the wind chill.
“With this being a stronger system, there’s going to probably be a fair amount of wind on Monday and Tuesday as well. We’re likely to see wind chills get down to the teens or maybe even the single digits. We haven’t had that this fall. This is definitely a sign that we’re trending more and more into the winter,” said Ryan.
Ryan said it is a good idea to take it slow when you’re driving.
“Take extra time to get to your location, especially with this being the first snowfall of the year for many places. Make sure you have some extra equipment in the car, in case you have to pull over,” said Ryan.
He also says you’ll want to pay attention to the forecast throughout the weekend to see how the storm system develops.
WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING * WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow possible. Total snow accumulations in heavier lake effect snow bands in excess of 6 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph and be accompanied by blowing and drifting snow. * WHERE...In Indiana, La Porte, St. Joseph IN, Starke and Marshall Counties. In Michigan, Berrien County. * WHEN...From late Sunday night through Tuesday morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could become very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact travel Monday morning through Tuesday morning. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Rain will change to snow Monday morning. Heavy snow bands are expected to develop with snow rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Snow accumulations in this watch area are likely to vary greatly from less than 3 inches to more than 6 inches.
