Heavy snow and freezing, gusty winds could soon impact the afternoon commute for drivers across Central Indiana. The National Weather Service in Indianapolis issued a special weather statement early Wednesday, warning motorists that slick surfaces and brief whiteout conditions could develop into the afternoon and early evening hours.
Forecasters said Hoosiers should be exceptionally careful during Wednesday’s rush-hour traffic.
“We’re concerned about the potential for flash freezes,” said NWS meteorologist Matthew Eckhoff. “That’s when the road temperature is just warm enough to melt the first round of snowflakes, then as it keeps snowing and getting colder and colder, that layer of water turns to ice.”
Eckhoff added that road conditions could deteriorate rapidly with little warning. Here’s what you should know about Wednesday’s weather in Central Indiana.
Arctic cold front expected to hit Central Indiana Wednesday afternoon
Meteorologists say Hoosiers around the Indianapolis area should prepare for snow showers and snow squalls between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday as an arctic cold front sweeps across the Midwest.
Eckhoff said the system is unstable and would likely wind down before midnight. Before then, he cautioned drivers to exercise caution on Central Indiana’s roadways.
“When these snow showers come through, you can go from seeing essentially no snow at all to very heavy snow with limited visibility, with snow covering the roads in just a few minutes,” Eckhoff said.
NWS Meteorologist: ‘This cold is not to be overlooked.’
Wind gusts of up to 40 mph are possible along with heavy snow, NWS said in a social media post, which could drastically reduce the ability for drivers to see what’s around them. Another concern for meteorologists, Eckhoff said, was a wind chill plummeting from 0 to minus-10 degrees Wednesday night.
“The cold is not to be overlooked,” Eckhoff cautioned. “Even with the snow coming in, winds are going to be 30-40 mph and temperatures are going to be dropping into the teens overnight. People should limit their time outdoors and definitely avoid going outside if possible.”
Find a warming shelter in Indianapolis: Freezing cold is here. Where to stay warm and find overnight shelter in Indy.
How to check road conditions in Indianapolis
One method drivers in Central Indiana can check how safe the roads are online using INDOT’s CARS Program, which has useful information about road conditions, closures as well as width and weight restrictions.
The website features a color-coded map of Indiana’s main roadways, highlighting hazardous or difficult road conditions in purple, fair conditions in blue and good conditions in gray.
What is a snow squall?
A snow squall is an intense burst of snow and winds that usually last one to three hours. They create whiteout visibility and rapidly deteriorate road conditions. That could drastically reduce visibility within heavier snow showers and squalls, the National Weather Services noted in its hazardous weather outlook advisory.
Live weather radar for Central Indiana
Weather forecast for Indianapolis, Indiana, per NWS
❄️ Wednesday: Snow showers likely, mainly after 4 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 35. West wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
❄️ Wednesday night: Snow showers likely, mainly before 9 p.m. Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 14. West wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
☁️ Thursday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 27. West wind 6 to 9 mph.
☁️ Thursday night: Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 20. Light and variable wind.
🌤️ Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 41. East southeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
🌧️☁️ Friday night: A 30 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Southeast wind around 7 mph.
🌧️ Saturday: Showers. High near 47. South southeast wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
🌧️ Saturday night: Showers. Low around 41. South southeast wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
🌧️☁️ Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1 p.m.. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Southwest wind around 7 mph.
🌧️☁️ Sunday night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. South southeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
🌧️☁️ Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51.
🌧️☁️ Monday night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.
🌧️☀️ Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.
How drivers can prepare for bad winter weather in Indiana
Cars drive through snow and on icy roads in the late hours on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2022 in Indianapolis. A winter storm with negative temperatures threatens holiday travel.
Prepare for the reasonable worst-case scenario, which would include accumulating snow and brief travel impacts. When planning your commute for Wednesday, keep this in mind:
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🚨Watch for brake lights ahead of your from other vehicles
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↔️ Leave more space between cars
Staying safe on Indiana’s roads during a winter storm can depend largely on how well you’re prepared. The Indiana Department of Transportation offers these tips:
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Knowledge: Before leaving home, find out about the driving conditions. Safe drivers know the weather, and their limits. If the weather is bad remember, “ice and snow, take it slow,” or just don’t go.
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Clear: Remove any snow on your vehicle’s windows, lights, brake lights and signals. Make sure you can see and be seen.
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Inspect: Check your vehicle’s tires, wiper blades, fluids, lights, belts and hoses. A breakdown is bad on a good day and dangerous on a bad-weather day.
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Time: Leave plenty of time to reach your destination safely. It’s not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to be on time.
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Kit: Keep a basic winter survival kit in your vehicle, including a flashlight, batteries, blanket, snacks, water, gloves, boots, and a first-aid kit. Load your car with winter travel gear, including tire chains, ice scraper/snowbrush, jumper cables and road flares.
White Christmas 2024: Will it snow in Indiana on Christmas? Maybe. Here’s a look at the long-range forecast.
John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.
Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formally Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@indystar.com or follow him on X @1NoePadilla.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Snow, flash freezes could impact your Central Indiana commute Wednesday
