South Bend, Ind. – A winter weather advisory warns lake-effect snow and strong winds could disrupt travel Monday across northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.
According to the National Weather Service Northern Indiana, the advisory runs 8 a.m. Monday, March 16 through 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, covering several counties near Lake Michigan.
In Michigan, the advisory includes Berrien, Cass, and St. Joseph counties. In Indiana, the affected areas include Northern La Porte, St. Joseph, Elkhart, and LaGrange counties.
Forecasters say snow is expected to begin around 8 a.m. Monday, with heavier lake-effect bands developing later in the afternoon. The heaviest snow is likely after 5 p.m. Monday, when colder air and stronger winds arrive.
The National Weather Service projects 2 to 5 inches of snowfall, though localized totals may vary depending on where lake-effect bands set up.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph could produce significant blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility to near zero at times, particularly on open roadways and rural routes.
The combination of snowfall and wind may lead to hazardous driving conditions Monday evening and overnight, especially along highways and secondary roads across the advisory area.
By early Tuesday morning, forecasters say wind chills could drop to around 0 degrees, adding to the cold conditions following the snowfall.
Commuters traveling Monday evening or early Tuesday may experience reduced visibility and snow-covered roads, particularly near Lake Michigan where lake-effect snow bands tend to be strongest.
Residents are encouraged to monitor local forecasts and allow extra travel time if driving during periods of heavier snowfall and blowing snow.
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