South Bend, Indiana – Drivers across northern Indiana and southwest Michigan could encounter slick bridges and bursts of lake-effect snow overnight, with wind gusts up to 40 mph pushing visibility down on major roads before the Tuesday morning commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Northern Indiana, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 11 a.m. EDT Tuesday for Elkhart, LaGrange, La Porte, and St. Joseph counties in Indiana along with Cass, St. Joseph, and Berrien counties in southwest Michigan. Snow bands moving inland from Lake Michigan may drop an additional 1 to 3 inches, while gusty winds between 25 and 40 mph create sudden visibility changes.
Travel impacts are expected along key corridors including I-80/90, US-31, and US-20, particularly near South Bend, Elkhart, Niles, and Benton Harbor. Bridges and overpasses may freeze first, increasing the risk of spin-outs during early morning traffic.
Lake-effect snow tends to form narrow, shifting bands. That means drivers could encounter clear pavement in one area and heavy snowfall a few miles away. Visibility may drop rapidly as gusty winds blow snow across open stretches of highway.
Officials urge drivers to slow down, allow extra stopping distance, and check 511 road condition systems in Indiana and Michigan before leaving home. Conditions are expected to gradually improve late Tuesday morning as the strongest lake-effect bands weaken, though isolated slick spots may linger into midday.
