INDIANAPOLIS – Officials from the National Weather Service (NWS) and Indiana Department of Homeland Security have provided an update on the forecasted winter storm, which has a good portion of the south-central region of the state under a Winter Storm Warning until 1 p.m. Saturday.
Find the latest update for your area here.
The following is an update by Bartholomew County Emergency Management (BCEM), which was briefed by NWS and the state Department of Homeland Security. This article will be updated as BCEM continues to be given updates.
What We Know
- Extremely cold air behind the low pressure system.
- Very windy conditions of 40-50 mph gusts, combined with the cold will create dangerously low wind chills.
- Wind gusts up to 55 mph.
- Wind chills Friday through Sunday as low as -20° to -30°.
What You Can Do Now
- Monitor the forecast closely.
- Prepare for potential travel impacts and power outages.
- Make preparations to protect animals. Bring them inside if possible or provide adequate shelter, food, and fresh (unfrozen) water for larger animals (livestock).
- Consider alternate holiday/travel plans.
- Remember to use caution if power outages occur and alternate sources of heat are utilized. Make sure they are properly ventilated and the area around them is clear.
- Keep phones charged, have extra batteries for flashlights in the event of power outage.
- Have an emergency vehicle kit in your car if you must travel. Blankets, water, snacks, flashlight, jumper cables, a small shovel, sand, and first aid kit.
Key Points
- High confidence in a dangerous, arctic air Friday night through Sunday morning.
- High winds and potential snow could lead to power outages on Friday.
- Potential for significant impacts due to snow and extreme cold temperatures on Thursday through Friday.
- Snowfall amounts expected in the 2 – 4 inch range with pockets of higher amounts.
- Still some uncertainty on the potential for narrow heavy snow bands.
- Winter Storm Warning issued for Bartholomew County from Thursday, December 22 at 4:00 p.m. through Saturday, December 24 at 1:00 p.m.
- Onset timing of flash freeze and subsequent snow has shifted earlier. Flash freeze expected in Bartholomew County at approximately 6:00 p.m. timeframe or shortly after on Thursday evening.
- Current winds for the Bartholomew County area will range between 10 and 45 mph between Thursday and Sunday. Winds of 40 – 50 mph could be expected when the front moves through.
- Friday could bring near blizzard like conditions and zero visibility at times, even with lower snowfall amounts. Drifting snow will also cause issues on Friday.
- Additional light snow expected on Friday.
- Any snow pack will result in lower air temperatures Saturday morning.
