Expect widespread 5-11 inches of snow with higher amounts possible. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for north central IN where 2-5 inches are possible. (National Weather Service, Indianapolis)
Track delays, closings submitted to our newsroom and weather warnings here.
SATURDAY NIGHT UPDATE:
The winter storm warning takes effect Sunday morning at 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday for south central Indiana including Bloomington, Seymour, Columbus, Bedford, and Nashville.
Heavy mixed precipitation is expected with total snow and sleet accumulations between 5 and 10 inches. Ice up to a tenth of an inch and 35 MPH wind gusts are expected to make travel conditions hazardous.
Here's the latest from the National Weather Service:
Here is all the latest information for the approaching #winter storm in one post. A Winter Storm Warning continues across much of central Indiana, with a Winter Weather Advisory far north/northwest. #INwx pic.twitter.com/vwMGyQ1biW
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) January 4, 2025
SATURDAY UPDATE:
A winter storm warning is now in effect from 7 a.m. Sunday to 1 p.m. Monday. National Weather Service officials are predicting heavy mixed precipitation with total snow and sleet accumulations to reach 5 to 8 inches.
Light ice accumulations are also anticipated along with winds of up to 35 MPH causing roads to become slick and hazardous. Tree limbs may down power lines. Hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.
Forecasters say while the exact details on timing are still uncertain, precipitation should start after 9 a.m. for south central Indiana and after Noon to the north.
Highest snow totals continue to look to be south of I-70 in the Bloomington to Columbus corridor.
Continue to monitor the forecasts as we update with more detailed thoughts going into tomorrow.
While the exact details on timing are still uncertain, confidence is increasing that outside of a period of freezing drizzle Sunday night, precipitation should remain all snow along and north of I-70 with a period of sleet to the south. Highest accumulations south of I-70. #INwx pic.twitter.com/K67ab0BTWB
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) January 4, 2025
ORIGINAL STORY:
A winter storm headed toward the Ohio River Valley is expected to reach Bloomington Sunday.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch from Thursday afternoon through Monday evening for 28 counties, including Monroe county. There is a high probability of 6 inches or more of snow, with sleet and freezing rain from Sunday morning through Monday evening. Overnight wind gusts may reduce visibility and increase the chance for outages. Wind chill temperatures will likely reach below zero next week.
Aaron Updike, a meteorologist at the Indianapolis branch of the National Weather Service, said to “expect an impactful snow event."
The Weather Channel is predicting 5 to 8 inches of snow Sunday, with potential for an additional inch of snow Monday.
Bloomington and 27 other counties are on a winter storm watch. A winter storm warning would most likely be issued on Friday or Saturday, Updike said.
"A watch just means that it's a little bit further out," he said. "We're preparing for the potential for a winter storm. When we issue a warning, that's when a winter storm is expected. So it's really just a timeline."
Updike said the last time the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the Bloomington area was Feb. 2-4 2022, when there were reports of 6 inches of snow.
Sgt. Kevin Getz with the Indiana State Police said residents should gather emergency supplies and prepare for icy road conditions.
"If you don't have to be out there on the roads, don't. But we also understand those that work, if you have to get to your place of employment, give yourself plenty of time," he said.
Bloomington District troopers will patrol I-69 and major roadways on Sunday and Monday.
More than 500 Indiana Department of Transportation vehicles will be salting and plowing roads. This includes pretreating roads Saturday. INDOT said it takes two to three hours to complete a snow route. Drivers can check road conditions on INDOT’s social media and highway cameras at 511in.org, and advise drivers to slow down on the roads and give the snow plows room to work.
The First Christian Church on Kirkwood Avenue will be open for the next four days through the storm. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., and half of the 30 beds will be reserved for women until 9:30 p.m.
Bloomington Emergency Management is also looking to open warming centers at the fire stations next week.
You can find more winter storm information on the ready.gov website.
Joe Hren contributed to this story. This story was updated Friday with information from INDOT and the Bloomington Severe Winter Emergency Shelter.
