Gary, Indiana – Travel across northwest Indiana is expected to become extremely dangerous Friday evening as a powerful lake-effect snow band locks into place, bringing rapidly accumulating snow and near-whiteout conditions across Lake and Porter counties.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect from Friday evening through Saturday evening for Lake and Porter counties. Heavy lake-effect snow is expected to produce widespread totals over 6 inches, with isolated areas seeing up to a foot of snow, especially near and north of U.S. Route 30.
The most intense snowfall is expected late Friday night through Saturday morning, when snowfall rates may exceed 2 inches per hour under the strongest portions of the band. Gary, Hammond, Portage, Chesterton, Valparaiso, and Merrillville are all likely to experience periods where visibility drops to near zero within minutes. Travel on I-80, I-94, I-90, and U.S. 20 could become very difficult or nearly impossible during heavier bursts.
While the snow band may wobble at times, allowing brief breaks, conditions can deteriorate rapidly with little notice. Road crews will struggle to keep up during peak snowfall, especially overnight.
Officials urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel, carry winter emergency kits, and prepare for rapidly changing road conditions. The warning remains in effect through Saturday evening, and additional updates are expected as snow bands shift.
