The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning from Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon for St. Joseph, LaPorte, Marshall, Berrien and Cass Counties. Total accumulations of  4 to 9 inches are possible under the warning area. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Elkhart, Kosciusko, and Starke Counties.

Lake-effect rain and snow showers are forecast to begin late Wednesday morning, transitioning to all snow as temperatures fall from the mid-30s into the 20s. The National Weather Service says heavy, persistent lake effect bands could develop Wednesday night into Thursday morning, fueled by North-Northwest winds off Lake Michigan.

Forecasters say locations directly under the heaviest bands could see 3 to 6 inches or more of snow, with significantly lower totals farther inland. Gusts of 35 to 40 mph near Lake Michigan may lead to blowing and drifting snow, particularly on east-west roads.

Travel impacts are expected to worsen late in the week, with additional chances for snow continuing Friday and into the weekend.