South Bend, Ind. — A fast-moving winter system brought a burst of accumulating snow across northern Indiana early Friday, creating slick travel conditions along U.S. 31, I-80, and U.S. 30 during the peak morning commute.
The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana said snow moved in quickly between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m., with snowfall rates briefly reaching up to one inch per hour. Accumulations of 1 to 3 inches covered untreated roads, sharply reducing traction and increasing braking distances for commuters.
The most significant impacts focused along U.S. 31 from Rochester through Plymouth and South Bend, as well as I-80 near Elkhart and U.S. 30 stretching west toward Valparaiso. Visibility dropped during heavier bursts, and snow-covered pavement developed rapidly before road crews could fully respond.
Communities affected include South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart, Goshen, Plymouth, Warsaw, Rochester, and LaPorte. Drivers encountered slippery intersections, snow-packed secondary roads, and icy bridges during the early commute.
Behind the morning snow, northwest winds increase through the afternoon and evening, with gusts between 25 and 35 mph. Blowing and drifting snow redevelop on open roadways, especially north–south routes, prolonging hazardous travel even after snowfall tapers.
Tonight, lake-effect snow becomes more persistent along and west of U.S. 31, with an additional 1 to 3 inches possible into Saturday morning. The strongest lake bands may briefly reduce visibility to near zero in localized areas.
Temperatures fall sharply tonight, with wind chills dropping near 10 degrees below zero away from the lake-effect clouds. The Indiana Department of Transportation urged drivers to slow down, allow extra travel time, and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
Snow gradually diminishes Saturday morning, but lingering slick spots and bitter cold keep travel hazardous across northern Indiana corridors.
