Storm Track 8 weather blog | Interactive radar | Closings and delays | Watches & Warnings

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Rain and snow showers on Wednesday night transitioned to snow, with some snow squalls in central Indiana, the National Weather Service says.

A wind advisory was in effect through 7 a.m. Thursday for portions of central, east central, north central, and west central Indiana. The advisory had initially been set to end at 4 a.m. Thursday, but was extended shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday. The weather service at Indianapolis said to expect northwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. Wind chill values will plummet to or below -5 degrees by the early morning.

In parts of northern Indiana and southwest Michigan, a winter storm warning was in effect through 1 a.m. Friday. The National Weather Service expects from 4-8 inches of snow, with winds gusting as high as 50 mph. Indiana counties in the warning area were Elkhart, Lagrange, and St. Joseph, with surrounding Indiana counties expected to get from 3-5 inches.

The live blog concluded at 11:30 p.m.

11:30 p.m.

PowerOutage.us reports 35,473 Indiana customers without power, with 18,902 of them with Northern Indiana Public Service Co.; 5,366, AES Indiana; 3,001, Indiana Michigan Power; 1,796, Anderson Light and Power; 2,588, Duke Energy; and 1,177, Hendricks Power Cooperative.

Indianapolis International Airport was experiencing 45 delays and no cancelations Wednesday, according to FlightAware.

11:19 p.m.

From the National Weather Service in Chicago, which serves northwest Indiana: A snow squall warning is in effect until 11:15 PM CST for I-294, I-355, I-55, I-57 near Chicago, IL–IN.

11:17 p.m.

PowerOutage.us reports 34,872 Indiana customers without power, with 20,369 of them with Northern Indiana Public Service Co.; 5,255, AES Indiana; 3,055, Indiana Michigan Power; 1,796, Anderson Light and Power; 2,027, Duke Energy; and 1,796, Bartholomew County REMC. Lake County is northwest Indiana, and Madison and Randolph counties in east central Indiana has the highest percentages of outages.

11:12 p.m.

Two school districts in southern Indiana were planning two-hour delays on Thursday: Lawrence Community Independent Schools, and Mitchell Community Schools.

11:09 p.m.

From the National Weather Service at Indianapolis: Rain to snow showers were located from Rush County west-southwest to near and west of Bloomington, moving east at 60 mph. Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph are possible with this area of heavy snow.

Communities affected: Bloomington, Columbus, Shelbyville, Franklin, Greensburg, Rushville, Bloomfield, Spencer, Nashville, Adams, Ellettsville, Edinburgh, Hope, Flat Rock, Milford, Worthington, Princes Lakes, Geneva, Trafalgar, and St. Paul.

Interstates impacted: Interstate 65 between mile markers 67 and 90, and Interstate 74 between mile markers 112 and 140.

10:43 p.m.

The wind advisory for much of central Indiana was extended from 4 a.m. Thursday to 7 a.m. Thursday.

The weather service at Indianapolis said to expect northwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. Wind chill values will plummet to or below -5 degrees by the early Thursday morning.

Communities affected include Fishers, West Lafayette, Greenwood, Plainfield, Danville, West Lebanon, Brownsburg, Frankfort, Greencastle, Parker City, Flora, Carmel, Franklin, Rushville, Indianapolis, Lebanon, Rosedale, New Castle, Shelbyville, Tipton, Muncie, Terre Haute, Winchester, Brazil, Veedersburg, Williamsport, Noblesville, Mooresville, Union City, Montezuma, Covington, Zionsville, Attica, Fairview Park, Delphi, Farmland, Gosport, Martinsville, Rockville, Anderson, Clinton, Crawfordsville, Lafayette, Spencer, Greenfield, and Kokomo.

10:30 p.m.

PowerOutage.us reports 33,999 Indiana customers without power, with 18,045 of them with Northern Indiana Public Service Co.; 4,323, AES Indiana; 4,850, Indiana Michigan Power; 1,792, Anderson Light and Power; 1,686, Duke Energy; and Hendricks Power Cooperative, 1,073.

Indianapolis International Airport was experiencing 43 delays and no cancelations Wednesday, according to FlightAware.

10:25 p.m.

From the National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio: The cold front was located along a line extending from Cridersville, Ohio, to 8 miles southwest of Muncie, Indiana, moving east at 60
mph. Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

10:22 p.m.

Show began to mix into the rain at Indianapolis International Airport. Temperature was 36.

10:18 p.m.

From the National Weather Service at Indianapolis: “Rain showers to snow showers over the next several hours will continue to cross much of central Indiana, particularly along and northeast of the Interstate 74 corridor, as a polar front passes through the area.

“Snow showers, in addition to rapidly falling temperatures and gusty winds as high as 45 to 55 MPH may continue to produce locally hazardous travel conditions at times. Minor accumulations will be possible in spots….although strong winds will also blow snow in a mainly west to east direction.

“Additionally, wind chills values late tonight into daybreak Thursday will drop as low as 5 to 10 degrees below zero.”

10:10 p.m.

National Weather Service at Indianapolis reports a 60 mph gust at Eagle Creek Airport.

10:05 p.m.

From the National Weather Service at Indianapolis: A snow shower extending from north of Muncie to west of Indianapolis was moving southeast at 50 mph. Visibilities may drop quickly to less than a quarter of a mile in locally heavy snow. Communities impacted: Indianapolis, Muncie, Anderson, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Lawrence, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Greenfield, Beech Grove, Zionsville, Speedway, Greencastle, Mooresville, Danville, Alexandria, Winchester, Southport, and Westfield.

Interstates affected: Interstate 65 between mile markers 102 and 133; Interstate 69 between mile markers 200 and 246; Interstate 70 between mile markers 39 and 108; and Interstate 74 between mile markers 56 and 98.

10:02 p.m.

Wind gusts to 62 mph at Indianapolis International Airport during a light rain.

10 p.m.

Video from News 8’s Brady Gibson in Westfield.

9:52 p.m.

From the National Weather Service at Indianapolis: A snow shower was located from northern Madison
County to Parke County, moving southeast at 50 mph. Visibilities will drop quickly to less than a quarter of a mile in this area of heavy snow. Communities impacted: Frankfort, Crawfordsville, Noblesville, Lebanon, Zionsville, Elwood, Alexandria, Tipton, Rockville, Windfall, Westfield, Cicero, Whitestown, Sheridan, Frankton, Arcadia, Thorntown, Ladoga, Summitville, and Jamestown.

9:43 p.m.

From Boone County Sheriff’s Department: Deputies reporting white out conditions on the north side of the county. Please use caution while traveling. Roads expected to become icy.

An Indiana Department of Transportation camera showed the conditions at 9:49 p.m. on I-65 at the U.S. 52 interchange near Lebanon.

9:43 p.m.

A view from State Road 933 at Cleveland Road in Roselawn, just off Interstate 90 in northern Indiana, from Indiana Department of Transportation.

9:20 p.m.

From the National Weather Service office for northern Indiana: “A mix of rain and snow showers will continue to change to mainly snow showers through the remainder of the evening. Strong wind gusts up to 45 to 50 mph are also expected in association with a strong cold front. The combination of the snow and strong winds will create significantly reduced visibilities through 11 PM EST before the heavier snow showers shift off to the east. Light snow accumulations may also create some slick spots on roads. Motorists should be alert to the possibility of highly variable road conditions when travelling across the area. Temperatures will drop sharply overnight into the upper teens and lower 20s, resulting in wind chills in the single digits above zero.”

8:57 p.m.

PowerOutage.us reports 9,131 Indiana customers without power, with 4,845 of them with Northern Indiana Public Service Co.; 3,360, Indiana Michigan Power, and 464, Duke Energy.

Indianapolis International Airport was experiencing 38 delays and no cancelations Wednesday, according to FlightAware.

8:04 p.m.

From Portage Police Department in northern Indiana: “Due to the high winds we are experiencing the traffic lights at Highway 20 and State Road 249 have been damaged and are no longer functioning.  The State Highway Department has been advised and repair crews are being dispatched.  Intersections with non-functioning traffic lights should be treated as a 4-way stop.

“Additionally we are receiving reports of numerous trees down blocking roadways across the city.  If you must travel tonight please reduce your speed and drive with caution as these road hazzards (sic) may continue to pop up and might be difficult to see.”

6:31 p.m.

PowerOutage.us reports 130 Indiana customers without power, with 84 of them with AES Indiana.

Indianapolis International Airport was experiencing 27 delays and no cancelations Wednesday, according to FlightAware.

6:18 p.m.

From the National Weather Service office for northern Indiana: “An arctic front will move into the region tonight allowing a mix of rain and snow showers to turn into snow showers. The combination of snow showers and wind gusts to 35 to 45 mph may result in some significantly reduced visibilities at times along with slick road conditions.”

5:37 p.m.

PowerOutage.us reports 99 Indiana customers without power.

Indianapolis International Airport was experiencing 23 delays and no cancelations Wednesday, according to FlightAware.

5:11 p.m.

From Storm Track 8: Subzero wind chills are expected Thursday morning, and we will only manage to get into the mid 20s. This will be our coldest wind chill since January this year. Breezy winds also persist through the day. Not much better Friday, but we do warm up rather quickly this weekend. Back to near 50 on Sunday with returning rain chances.

4:36 p.m.

From Danville Metropolitan Police Department: “Danville Police Department Weather Advisory 

“Attention, Danville residents:

“An Arctic front is expected to move through our area tonight, 8 PM to 12 AM, bringing windy, cold, and snowy conditions that will persist into the Thursday morning commute.

“What to Expect:

“ Snow bursts and gusts up to 40 mph
“ Flash freeze—roads may become slick quickly
“ Wind chills as low as -10°F to 0°F

“What You Should Do:

“ Monitor road conditions before traveling
“ Allow extra time for commutes and drive cautiously
“ Prepare for potential school delays

“Stay safe, stay warm, and avoid unnecessary travel during these hazardous conditions.”

4:14 p.m.

News release from AES Indiana:

“INDIANAPOLIS – AES Indiana, a subsidiary of The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES), is preparing for extreme cold temperatures, wind and possible snow Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

“The forecast is calling for sustained winds at 20 to 30 mph with gusts possibly up to 45 mph. AES Indiana is fully staffed and prepared for the incoming weather and is ready to respond if there are power outages.

“As the colder temperatures move in, there are ways you can prepare with these winter safety tips:

“Preparing for the cold

“There are several ways you can prepare your home for cold temperatures.

“· Change or clean your furnace air filter once a month. Dust and dirt make your unit work harder, and in turn, costs you more money.

“· Vacuum registers and vents to prevent dirt and dust build up and maximize airflow.

“· Set ceiling fans to turn clockwise and run them on low speed to circulate warm air.

“Saving money during cold temperatures

“· Help reduce heating costs. Set your thermostat back at least 8 degrees each day – when you are at work and when you go to bed. 70 degrees is a good threshold for when you are home, and lower when you are away or sleeping.

“· Don’t set the thermostat higher than you want it, even if you’re trying to heat your home quickly. It won’t heat your home any faster, and it runs your system longer than necessary.

“· Don’t let anything – including furniture, drapes and curtains — block heating airflow

“· Open curtains and blinds during the day to let sunlight in, and close them at night to keep cold air out.

“If a customer’s power goes out, they should:

·” Turn off all appliances but leave on one lamp to know when power is restored.

·” Keep freezer and refrigerator doors closed.

“· If the indoor temperature falls below 55 F, open your faucets slightly so they constantly drip to prevent pipes from freezing.

“For more winter savings tips and resources, visit aesindiana.com/cold-weather-tips .”

4:11 p.m.

PowerOutage.us reports 1,156 Indiana customers without power, including these: Duke Energy, 718 customers; and Utility District of Western Indiana, 212.

Indianapolis International Airport was experiencing 22 delays and no cancelations Wednesday, according to FlightAware.

4 p.m.

From Marion County Emergency Management: “Snow showers with light accumulation is expected for Central Indiana tonight, motorists should be mindful of slick spots on the roadways. Marion County is also under a Wind Advisory from 6 p.m. tonight until 4 a.m. tomorrow morning.

“Don’t forget to utilize the Indy Parks and Recreation warming centers during their normal operating hours: https://buff.ly/3WEaRR6“

3:42 p.m.

From the National Weather Service office for northern Indiana: “We get it, the last snow forecast didn’t work well in Indiana. We don’t like to be wrong either. Have to pick up the pieces & try again. Regardless of your exact snow amount, wind gusts of 35-45 mph tonight-Thurs AM will bring poor visibility, blowing & snow.”

3:36 p.m.

From Indiana Department of Transportation west central district: “At this time, we have several dozen trucks planned to begin maintaining the roads as conditions dictate, beginning with the first handful rolling out around 4:30 p.m.

“Trucks will begin work as needed at different times throughout the evening and more will be called if needed, depending on what this potential ice event becomes.

“Please remember to drive according to the conditions, especially with an imminent threat of ice.”

3:33 p.m.

Update from the National Weather Service at Indianapolis: A wind advisory is in effect for much of central Indiana with northwesterly wind gusts of 40-45 mph expected for the advisory area.

3:16 p.m.

Indianapolis International Airport was experiencing 23 delays and no cancelations Wednesday, according to FlightAware.

PowerOutage.us reports in Indiana included these: Indiana Michigan Power, 287 customers; Utility District of Western Indiana, 212; Duke Energy, 206; and AES Indiana, 201.

2:53 p.m.

A winter storm warning was issued for heavy lake effect snow in the northern Indiana counties of Elkhart, Lagrange, and St. Joseph, plus parts of southwest Michigan.

2:52 p.m.

A wind advisory will be in effect for portions of central Indiana from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 4 a.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service at Indianapolis says. Expect west winds from 20-30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Indianapolis in the advisory area along with these central Indiana counties: Boone, Carroll, Clay, Clinton, Delaware, Fountain, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Howard, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Montgomery, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vermillion, Vigo and Warren.

2:43 p.m.

From Storm Track 8: Warmest day since last Wednesday not enjoyable due to gusty southerly wind. Wind advisories in effect 6 p.m. Wednesday to 4 a.m. Thursday. Still tracking rain and snow action Wednesday night with a strong cold front inbound. Snow squalls, with heavy bursts possible, would cause travel issues. People with travel plans should keep an eye on radar.

12:30 p.m.

INDOT says its yellow trucks will be out tonight into tomorrow morning to treat the roadways.

11:28 a.m.

From Indiana Department of Transportation west central district: “With the chance of snow later this afternoon and evening, our teams are keeping a close eye on the forecast.

“We will update you all later this afternoon with plans for #WinterOps and what our #YellowTrucks will be up to! Plan your trips ahead of time, and slow down!”

12 p.m.