South Bend, IN – Drivers across northern Indiana could face rapidly changing travel conditions over the next 24 hours as strong winds today give way to accumulating snow and blowing snow Monday into Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Northern Indiana, southerly winds will increase Sunday afternoon with gusts reaching 50 to 55 mph, creating difficult travel for high-profile vehicles along east–west highways including Interstate 80/90, US-30, and US-20. Loose outdoor items may also be blown around as the strongest gusts develop during the afternoon and early evening.
A line of storms may move through the region between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Monday, with the greatest chance of damaging wind gusts west of Interstate 69, including areas near South Bend, La Porte, and Valparaiso.
Conditions shift again Monday morning as colder air arrives. Snow is expected to begin around 8 a.m. Monday, with the heaviest snowfall rates developing between 5 p.m. Monday and 2 a.m. Tuesday.
Storm totals across northern Indiana and southwest Michigan could reach 2 to 5 inches, with 3 to 4 inches possible near South Bend and into southwest Michigan. Northwest winds around 40 mph may produce considerable blowing and drifting snow, occasionally reducing visibility to near zero.
Communities including Elkhart, Goshen, Warsaw, La Porte, and South Bend may see the most travel disruptions during the Monday evening and overnight hours.
Wind chills could fall near 0 degrees by Tuesday morning, while snow and strong winds continue to create hazardous road conditions across the region. Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect through late Tuesday morning, and additional updates may follow as the system develops.
