Winter storm blog: Dozens of schools to stay closed, roads slick and dangerous
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The winter storm has left Indiana and snowfall totals have been added up. Some counties saw a foot of snow, while others only got an inch or two. While the snow is gone, frigid temperatures remain, says Storm Track 8 chief meteorologist Ashley Brown.
The blast of winter weather created slick, snowy, and sometimes impassible conditions on streets and interstates.
Dozens of local schools and businesses were closed Monday and will be again Tuesday.
Over 20 counties in southern and southeastern Indiana are under travel warnings, meaning that travel should be avoided due to hazardous road conditions, and over 50 flights have been canceled at Indianapolis International Airport.
Follow our live blog throughout the day for the latest updates.
Weather blog | Interactive radar | Closings & delays | Indy Snow Force Map | Travel advisory map
7:53 p.m.
Morgan county has returned to a travel watch status.
Under the watch status, only essential travel, such as to and from work and for emergencies, is recommended.
7:48 p.m.
Heavy snow built up across Indiana, some places got over a foot of snow while others only saw a dusting. Check out the latest snowfall totals from the National Weather Service of Indianapolis here.
7:06 p.m.
Indianapolis Public Schools will have a two-hour delay on Tuesday, Jan. 7. After-school activities will be cancelled.
6:55 p.m.
A crash closed the right lane of I-465 northbound between Crawfordsville Road and I-74, near Speedway.
6:44 p.m.
INDOT is reporting an accident on I-70 eastbound between Arlington and Shadeland avenues near mile marker 88.4.
6:30 p.m.
Is your child’s school open or closed tomorrow? Make sure to check out our closings and delays page, as dozens schools are either delayed, closed, or moving online to e-learning.
6:22 p.m.
Clark County will keep its travel warning in effect until 12 p.m. Jan. 7. Individuals are urged to stay at home and off the roads.
6:15 p.m.
The winter storm is over and Indiana is recuperating from the heavy snow. Want to see who got the most snow? These places got the most. The National Weather Service of Indianapolis reported these snow totals as of 6 p.m.
- North Vernon: 13 inches.
- Elnora: 12 inches.
- Westport: 12 inches.
- Martinsville: 11.3 inches.
- Brownsburg: 11 inches.
- Columbus: 10.8 inches.
- Seymour: 10.5 inches.
- Lake Santee: 10.1 inches.
5:59 p.m.
Wayne County has extended their travel watch until 12 p.m. Jan. 7. Only essential travel will be permitted on county roads.
5:54 p.m.
The Indiana Department of Transportation is reporting a crash on I-70 eastbound, between Ronald Regan Parkway and High School Road in Plainfield.
Drive slowly and make sure to leave plenty of space to break.
5:45 p.m.
More likely than not, you’ve had to wait to get on your flight or had to deal with a cancellation.
As of 5:46 p.m., the Indianapolis International Airport reported 87 delays and 57 cancellations. Nationwide, airports are reporting 7,074 delays and 2,146 cancellations.
If you’re traveling through the airport, make sure to check your flight!
5:30 p.m.
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works said that due to inclement weather, trash pick up will be delayed.
5:20 p.m.
Monroe County has downgraded from a warning to a watch as of 5 p.m.
To look for more updates on your county, visit the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s map to see travel statuses.
4:24 p.m.
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works was out in force Monday to fight the storm and keep the roads safe. Auboni Hart, public information officer at Indy DPW, joined Daybreak to give an update.
4:15 p.m.
Indianapolis International Airport is reporting more delays today.
As of 4:15 p.m., the airport reported 71 delays and 55 cancelations. Nationwide, airports are reporting 6,099 delays and 1,942 cancelations.
If you’re traveling through the airport, make sure to check your flight!
4:10 p.m.
Indiana State troopers are on the scene of a jackknifed semi truck and a passenger car off the road on I-65 northbound near mile marker 51 in Jackson County.
The far left lane remains open.
3:12 p.m.
Monroe County Community Schools will be closed tomorrow, but will continue online with eLearning. Food service pickup for families is still available at Templeton and Fairview Elementary from 12-1:30 p.m. Families need to RSVP the number of meals needed.
3:06 p.m.
Schools across central Indiana are announcing they will be closed tomorrow, Jan. 7. Some of the closings include:
- Brownstown Central Schools
- Mitchell Community Schools
- Monroe County Community Schools
- North Putnam Community Schools
Follow our closings and delays page for more info.
3:02 p.m.
Boone County Sherriff’s Office said I-865 eastbound will be temporarily shut down at mile marker 2.8. Use caution in the area.
2:51 p.m.
Hamilton and Hendricks counties have downgraded from a watch to an advisory. Southern Indiana remains mostly under warnings, meaning you are strongly urged not to travel.
2:46 p.m.
The Indianapolis City-County Council meeting today has been cancelled and rescheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m.
2:15 p.m.
Feeling stir-crazy from being snowed in? Why not try to make some frozen bubbles?
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis shares a great way for kids to have a bit of fun today.
2:05 p.m.
The worst of the weather has passed, but road conditions are still slippery.
The Indiana Department of Transportation says there is a crash on I-465 between W Washington and W Minnesota streets.
Two trucks got into a collision, slowing southbound traffic and the entrance ramp.
2:00 p.m.
If you’re traveling through the Indianapolis International Airport be sure double check your flight.
The Indianapolis Airport has a total of 53 delays and 55 cancellations as of 2:00 p.m. today.
1:55 p.m.
Want to know how much snow you and your neighbors? Here’s our updated totals across the state.
North Vernon saw the most snow with 13 inches.
Pence, Indiana had a light dust for snow with only a tenth of an inch.
1:36 p.m.
It’s never a bad idea to enjoy the fluffy snow!
1:30 p.m.
Are you working from home today? IMPD isn’t! Officers still have a job to do despite the snow.
1:25 p.m.
The snow’s moved out of central Indiana, but if you’re on the roads you need to remember to move out of the way for plows! Their job isn’t done yet.
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works has over 70 drivers still pushing snow off the roads to keep you safe.
Drive slow, give the plows space, and most importantly, stay warm.
1:20 p.m.
Ever seen the Indianapolis Motor Speedway under a blanket of snow? Thankfully we don’t have to deal with this weather in May.
1 p.m.
12:45 p.m.
How much snow did you get? Here’s a look at some of the largest snowfall preliminary snowfall totals collected by the National Weather Service in Indianapolis. These snow totals were reported at 10 a.m. Monday or later.
- North Vernon: 13 inches
- Westport: 12 inches
- Brownsburg: 11 inches
- Avoca (Lawrence Co.): 9.8 inches
- Shelbyville: 9.8 inches
- Eagle Creek Reservoir: 9.4 inches
- Whiteland: 9 inches
12:40 p.m.
Looks like the sled hill at Freedom Springs Park in Greenwood is the place to be!
12:30 p.m.
The Winter Storm Warning for Marion County has been canceled.
12:05 p.m.
Did you know there’s a proper way to measure snow? Here are the six steps you need to know:
12 p.m.
The Broad Ripple Park Family Center and Garfield Park Family Center are open as warming centers. Both centers will be open from noon to 8 p.m.
All other centers will be closed Monday, says Indy Parks.
Visit http://parks.indy.gov/extremeweather for updates and to learn more.
11:45 a.m.
According to Flight Aware, 55 flights at Indianapolis International Airport are canceled for Monday and 36 are delayed.
Nationwide, there have been 1,724 flight cancellations and 3,233 delays.
Check with your airline before heading to the airport.
11:30 a.m.
About 30 Indiana counties remain under a travel warning (red), the highest level of a travel advisory. In these counties, residents should stay home and avoid all travel.
11:10 a.m.
IMPD to the rescue! Several Indianapolis police officers stopped to help a family who was struggling with a flat tire.
11 a.m.
Snowfall amounts in central Indiana are still growing! Since Sunday, Columbus has recorded more than 9 inches of snow, while nearly 8 inches has fallen at Indianapolis International Airport.
10:30 a.m.
By 10:30 a.m., state troopers in the ISP Indianapolis District had responded to 151 crashes, 76 slide-offs, 67 traffic hazards (vehicle or object in the road), and 103 motorists with disabled or stuck vehicles.
Across Indiana, state troopers have responded to 259 crashes and 271 slide-offs.
10:15 a.m.
The Indianapolis Zoo is closed on Monday. It will reopen at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
Animal care staff will stay overnight at the zoo to care for the animals.
10:12 a.m.
10:10 a.m.
10:04 a.m.
Indianapolis International Airport is open to travelers, but travel to the airport might be difficult.
As of 10 a.m., 50 flights are canceled and 20 are delayed.
Check with your airline before heading to the airport.
10 a.m.
About 30 Indiana counties, all of them in southern or southeastern Indiana, are under travel warnings (red). Travel in these counties should be restricted to emergency workers only.
Marion County is under a travel advisory, meaning that routine travel or activities may be restricted. Drivers who have to be out should use caution.
9:40 a.m.
A WISH-TV viewer near the Cherry Hill Airport in Brown County says they have over a foot of snow and a layer of ice.
9:32 a.m.
Some good news from INDOT West Central — conditions on I-65 in the Lebanon/Frankfort area are improving.
Boone County (Lebanon) is under a travel advisory, which means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas, and individuals should use caution when out on the road.
Clinton County (Frankfort) does not have a travel warning in place.
9:30 a.m.
9:15 a.m.
There’s still a healthy amount of snow on Fall Creek Parkway near College Avenue in Indianapolis.
9:05 a.m.
Here’s a look at updated snow totals from Storm Track 8:
8:45 a.m.
Auboni Hart, public information officer for Indy DPW, joined Daybreak to give an update on how crews are handling streets and thoroughfares in the city.
“We have deployed 70 trucks per 12 hour shift to cover all of Indianapolis, and they will continue to focus on those major arteries so that our first responders ahve the best chance at getting where they need to go. Then they’ll work their way out from there,” Hart explained.
There’s a hierarchy to which areas get plowed first:
First up are major thoroughfares used by first responders and the largest amount of Indy commuters. Examples: Keystone Avenue, Fall Creek Parkway, and Washington Street.
Next are the secondary streets. These roads connect major city streets to residential streets and other less-traveled roadways. Examples: Ditch Road, Mitthoeffer Road, Southeastern Avenue.
After the major thoroughfares and secondary streets are clear, Indy Snow Force crews will turn to residential areas.
8:30 a.m.
Indianapolis International Airport is open to travelers, but anyone headed to the airport should be prepared for delays.
According to Flight Aware, 50 flights have been canceled for Monday and 12 are delayed.
Nationwide, over 1,400 flights have been canceled and more than 1,000 are delayed.
8:25 a.m.
IndyGo says riders should expect delays due to slick roads.
8:20 a.m.
Do you know who’s in charge of plowing your road? It all comes down to where you live.
Click here to find out more.
8 a.m.
Due to the impacts from snow and winter weather in the Indianapolis area, the Marion County Public Health Department is closed on Monday, Jan. 6.
This closing includes all clinics operated by MCPHD and all walk-in services, including birth certificates, death certificates and immunization records.
7:30 a.m.
Multiple crashes are occurring across central Indiana, according to Indiana State Police.
“Most crashes are caused by driving too fast for the weather conditions. Look out for snow plows. And use your headlights. If you don’t have to go out, don’t go,” ISP said on X.
7:25 a.m.
The Indianapolis International Airport remains open to travelers.
As of 7:25 a.m., 50 flights within, into, or out of Indianapolis are canceled and 7 are delayed.
Nationwide, more than 1,340 flights have been canceled for Monday and another 742 are delayed.
7:22 a.m.
7:01 a.m.
Here’s a look at the latest Travel Advsiory Map from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
Much of southern and central Indiana remain under a travel warning (red), meaning road conditions are unsafe and travel should be limited to emergency workers only.
6:43 a.m.
Even as snow is wrapping up, expect blowing and drifting snow in central Indiana, says Storm Track 8 Meteorologist Ryan Morse.
Winds will be gusting out of the north at 30 mph through the midday. Roads that run directly east/west will be most affected.
6:40 a.m.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department says you should stay home. Crews are trying to clear the roads, but the wind is creating snow drifts and making work more difficult.
6:35 a.m.
6:10 a.m.
6 a.m.
Rush County is the latest county in central Indiana to issue a travel warning, joining Johnson, Morgan, Bartholomew, Brown, and Monroe.
Nearly all of southern Indiana is under a travel warning or travel watch.
5:45 a.m.
State troopers in the Indianapolis district have been very busy since the winter storm arrived on Sunday.
5:40 a.m.
Thousands of Hoosiers are without power this morning, primarily in Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, Perry, and Warrick counties, according to poweroutage.us.
This includes nearly 62,000 CenterPoint Energy customers and over 2,000 Southern Indiana Power users.
5:20 a.m.
“Traffic is moving slowly, and we’re encouraging everyone to continue slowing down. While we’ve been able to clear a lot of roads to make them passable, it is still in the interest of your safety to take it easy out there this morning,” INDOT West Central said on X.
5:05 a.m.
According to Flight Aware, 50 flights have been canceled at Indianapolis International Airport and 4 flights are delayed. Check with the airline before heading to the airport.
Nearly 1,300 flights have been canceled nationwide, while more than 430 are delayed.
5:10 a.m.
A travel warning is in place for Johnson County, where snow drifts are blocking many country roads.
5 a.m.
An additional 1-2 inches of snow are possible across central Indiana, with more blowing and drifting snow, according to Storm Track 8 Meteorologist Marcus Bailey.
Here’s a look at the Futurecast for 9 a.m. Monday.
4:30 a.m.
More than 20 Indiana counties are under a travel warning (red), meaning that you should refrain from all travel. This is the highest level of local travel advisory.
Central Indiana counties with travel warnings in place include Johnson, Morgan, Monroe, Brown, and Bartholomew.
A travel watch (orange) is in effect for central Indiana counties including Hendricks, Shelby, and Hamilton. In thease areas, conditions are dangerous to the public and only essential travel is recommended.
A travel advisory (yellow) are in effect in Marion, Boone, Madison, and Henry counties. This is the lowest level of local travel, meaning that routine travel or activities may be restricted.
2:10 a.m.
A look at the conditions on Meridian Street in downtown Indianapolis.