The first widespread snow of the season has begun. Current road conditions in Kosciusko County are snow covered and slippery, as of Sunday afternoon.
Warsaw and Kosciusko, along with Elkhart, Marshall, Noble and Whitley Counties are all under a Winter Strom WARNING, along with several areas to the north. Marshall County is under a Travel Advisory. The warnings are currently in effect until early Monday morning at 4 a.m.
The National Weather Service reports for Warsaw and greater Kosciusko County:
WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST /3 AM CST/ MONDAY... HAZARDOUS WEATHER... * STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS BY TONIGHT WILL RANGE FROM 7 TO 10 INCHES WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE. * PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THE WARNING AREA INTO THIS EVENING. THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED THROUGH THE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING HOURS WHEN SNOWFALL RATES COULD LOCALLY APPROACH OR EXCEED 1 INCH PER HOUR IN SOME AREAS.
The National Weather Service has also issued these impact statements:
* ROADS WILL BE SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY THROUGH TONIGHT. * SOME MINOR DRIFTING IS POSSIBLE DUE TO SOUTH WINDS GUSTING TO AROUND 20 MPH. * REDUCED VISIBILITIES CAN BE EXPECTED DURING THE PERIODS OF HEAVIER SNOW.
The NWS wants the public to be aware of the following precautionary actions:
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT... FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.
The Indiana Department of Transportation deploys yellow trucks ahead of snowfall and freezing temperatures, but that’s not enough to keep you safe. The point out that the first snow events of the season usually have higher rates of crashes and slide-offs.
- Reduce speeds. Remember, “ice and snow, take it slow.” Nobody should be driving summer interstate speeds in winter weather. Plan plenty of time to reach your destination safely and be patient. Don’t put yourself and others in a dangerous situation by being in a rush.
- Keep a safe distance. Make sure your vehicle is following at a safe distance to stop. Do not tailgate, especially around snow plows, and try not to pass. Give snowplows room to work, and “don’t crowd the plow.”
- Pay attention. Avoid all distractions and focus only on the task of driving safely. Be aware of your surroundings, drive defensively and be alert for others who are not driving safely.
