Category: Blowing/ Drifting

Updated 02.01.22 @ 7p

Type: Severe Winter Weather

What: Heavy mixed precipitation, heavy snow, & strong winds

When: Wednesday afternoon through predawn Friday

Temperatures: Mid 30s, falling into the upper 10s Thursday night

Wind: NNE 15 – 25 MPH (gusts up to 30 MPH Thursday)

Blowing/ Drifting: Significant to severe (especially on east-west roadways)

Pavement Impacts: Plowing and salting will be required

Summary: While we don’t have any significant changes to this morning’s video update, we continue to draw that much closer to “show time” with this winter storm. Conditions will deteriorate from northwest to southeast as we progress through the day tomorrow, but the “main show” for immediate central IN will come late tomorrow night and through the day Thursday. It’s during this time where snowfall rates will exceed 1″/ hour for a widespread portion of the region. Simply put, if you don’t have to travel, please don’t. The added concern also remains present of blowing and drifting issues that will likely develop during the day Thursday. This will be from a byproduct of an increasingly fluffy snow (anything that falls tomorrow will be of the wet, slushy nature), thanks to higher ratios, as the arctic air pours into the region. Add in a stiff north, northeast wind of 15-25 MPH with gusts to 30 MPH and you can easily see where the problems are likely to ensue. In particular, east-west roadways in the open country are likely to drift shut by late morning or afternoon Thursday. Snowfall coverage and intensity will finally begin to diminish from northwest to southeast Thursday night. By that point, it’ll be time to bring the heavy equipment out to engage in removal of the “BIG SNOW.” We still anticipate bitterly cold (5° to 15° below zero) temperatures to take up shop Saturday morning across the region.

Confidence: High

Next Update: 7a Wednesday