Winter storm update: Up to 16 inches now forecast

The infographic above, issued by the northern Indiana National Weather Service office, shows the location of heavy snowfall and single-digit temperatures as of 2:30 p.m. today.

At 4 p.m., the NWS issued an updated Winter Storm Warning and Wind Chill Warning. Below are some highlights. Note the increase in maximum snowfall to 16 inches!:

 * HEAVY SNOW WITH RATES OF 1 TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR WILL CONTINUE
THROUGH THE EVENING. STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 16
INCHES ARE EXPECTED.

* NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH ARE EXPECTED BY THIS EVENING.
WIND GUSTS TO 35 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE AT TIMES. THIS WILL CAUSE
SIGNIFICANT BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW TONIGHT INTO MONDAY WHICH
COULD PRODUCE NEAR WHITE OUT BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AT TIMES.

* TEMPERATURES WILL DROP DRASTICALLY TONIGHT WITH LOWS BETWEEN
7 BELOW AND 20 BELOW ZERO. DEADLY WIND CHILLS BETWEEN 30
BELOW AND 45 BELOW ZERO CAN BE EXPECTED TONIGHT THROUGH
TUESDAY.

As of 5 p.m., the INDOT website indicates that travel conditions on all state, U.S. and Interstate highways in northern Indiana are “difficult,” as indicated by the purple roads on the sample map below.

Governor Mike Pence has directed the Indiana National Guard to stage Highway Assistance Teams in response to the heavy snow and low temperatures forecasted across the state. A total of 24 teams, consisting of 96 individuals, have been deployed across the state to assist in life saving and rescue operations. Each team has four individuals and two vehicles. See the governor’s news release.