LAKE EFFECT SNOW TODAY-SATURDAY

Good morning everyone and happy Friday! As we discussed in our broadcast last night, lake effect snow will be our main weather story over the next 48 hours as an organized band of snow brings localized heavy snow to the Region. Timing hasn’t changed as this snow will come in waves.

ROUND 1: This morning
The wind is shifting over Lake Michigan and as a result it’s pushing a band of lake effect snow from east to west through the Region. This snow isn’t reaching very far inland with most of the snow confined along and north of US 30. This round won’t last long with quieter weather returning for much of the day as the snow pushes into Illinois.

ROUND 2: This evening, tonight, and Saturday
Winds will shift again bringing this band of snow back into the Region. It doesn’t look to park anywhere, but will be waffling back and forth through Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties–so at times you’ll get snow and other times you’ll be just fine. The potential for this snow to add up though is real–especially the closer to the lake you’re located. This band of snow will likely not reach very far inland either with the bulk of any heavy snow totals being north of US30. We’ll still see some snow south of US-30 but not as significant as some of our totals near the lakeshore could be. You know the drill with lake effect snow–this will be where bands persist, or where they decide to sit for an hour or two.

SNOWFALL RATES: This snow is likely to organize later this evening into tonight and in the heart of it, we will see snowfall rates of 1-2 inches of snow per hour. This will add up where the band of snow sits.

SNOWFALL TOTALS: Again, highly dependent on where this band of snow sits the longest, but preliminary amounts continue to hint at 6-10+ inches of snow where it persists. Outside of this lake effect band–not much at all. Highest totals will occur along and north of US 30 in Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties.

WHEN DOES IT END?
Saturday evening into Saturday night we should get another wind shift that would put an end to this lake snow. Another clipper system moves in Monday bringing additional light snow chances for everyone. We’ll have updates as needed this evening through Saturday!