South Bend, Indiana – Drivers across northern Indiana and southwest Michigan could see visibility collapse within minutes Monday morning as lake-effect snow bands push inland from Lake Michigan, dropping up to 6 inches of accumulation and whipping winds near 40 mph that can bury roads and create sudden whiteouts.
According to the National Weather Service in Northern Indiana, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from 8 a.m. Monday until 11 a.m. Tuesday for Elkhart, LaGrange, northern La Porte, and St. Joseph counties in Indiana, along with Cass, St. Joseph, and Berrien counties in Michigan. Snow totals between 3 and 6 inches are expected, with northwest wind gusts reaching 30 to 40 mph.
Road conditions may deteriorate quickly along major corridors including the Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90), US-31, and M-139 in southwest Michigan. Blowing snow could drop visibility to near zero at times, especially during heavier lake-effect bands Monday afternoon and into the evening commute.
Cities most likely to see bursts of heavy snow include South Bend, Elkhart, La Porte, Niles, and Benton Harbor. Conditions may vary sharply within just a few miles as snow bands shift inland from Lake Michigan.
Drivers should allow extra travel time, keep headlights on during snowfall, and avoid sudden braking on slick pavement. Residents are urged to monitor local alerts and road reports as lake-effect bands continue shifting through the region until late Tuesday morning.
