Last Updated on January 5, 2017 by cassnetwork
Cold temperatures are ushering in a variety of winter weather conditions that will impact highway travel in much of Indiana on Thursday, Jan. 5.
In addition to lake-effect snow along the Michigan border, southern Indiana communities including Bedford, Vincennes and Seymour will see their first significant snow of the season with 3-4 inches predicted. Persistent snowfall is predicted elsewhere in Indiana.
Drivers should plan now to reduce their speed, allow more following distance and reschedule optional trips for everyone’s safety, including their loved ones and first responders.
Yellow plow trucks ready The Indiana Department of Transportation is monitoring multiple weather forecasts and readying yellow plow trucks to clear and treat interstates, U.S. highways and state routes before snow begins to accumulate. Each plow route takes 2-3 hours to complete with salt assisting in melting between passes. Granular salt and salt brine chemically lower the temperature at which snow and ice melt. With temperatures predicted to remain well below freezing, drivers are warned that salt will be less effective in closing the gap. In addition, persistent snow is predicted to impact both the morning and evening commutes on Thursday. INDOT urges drivers to make room for yellow plow trucks as crashes and stopped traffic impact routine service times. Remember that road conditions are always safer behind a plow truck. |
Lake effect along Michigan border
Winds from Lake Michigan are predicted to create lake-effect snow over far northern Indiana counties beginning tonight. Up to 5 inches of new snow is possible in this area through Friday with greater accumulations north of the I-80/90 Indiana Toll Road.
Lake-effect snow bands dropping up to 1 inch per hour, combined with winds gusting up to 30 mph, can suddenly impact visibility and driving conditions. This greatly increases chances for multi-vehicle, chain-reaction crashes on high-speed freeways like I-94 and U.S. 20.
If visibility is suddenly reduced or drivers see a “wall” of snow on the road ahead, they should immediately take the foot off the gas and turn on low-beam lights. Watch for slow or stopped vehicles on the side of the road and, if stopping, find a safe place to exit high-speed freeways completely or stay safely buckled in the car.
Know before you go
The state of Indiana and National Weather Service provide drivers with a number of tools to make safe, informed travel decisions. Check daily, hourly and graphical weather forecasts by zooming in and clicking on destinations at http://digital.weather.gov.
Before deciding to drive, check road and traffic conditions at http://indot.carsprogram.org, 800-261-ROAD (7623) or by turning on the traffic feature on a mobile mapping app. County governments post color-coded travel advisories on the Homeland Security website at http://in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory. For regular updates, find links to INDOT’s Facebook and Twitter pages at http://bit.ly/INDOTsocial.