The Nationwide Climate Service (NWS) has issued pressing Snow Squall Warnings and Winter Storm Warnings throughout numerous counties in Illinois and Indiana this Wednesday morning.
Residents and vacationers are being suggested to organize for harmful, fast-moving climate situations, together with heavy snowfall, whiteout situations, and flash freezing on roadways.
A number of Counties Beneath Snow Squall Warnings
As of 8:53 AM CST, the NWS in Chicago positioned a number of counties underneath a Snow Squall Warning.
The affected areas embody Ford, Iroquois, and Livingston counties in Illinois, and Newton, Benton, and Jasper counties in Indiana. The warning is lively till 10:00 AM CST / 11:00 AM EST.
At 8:52 AM CST, radar and skilled spotter reviews confirmed a harmful snow squall stretching from Fairbury, IL to Medaryville, IN, and transferring south at roughly 35 mph. In line with NWS, the squall is producing:
- Flash freeze situations
- Intense bursts of heavy snow
- Wind gusts exceeding 50 mph
- Visibility quickly falling to under 1 / 4 mile
“We’re urging motorists to delay journey or pull off the freeway safely. These snow squalls develop quick, and street situations can deteriorate in minutes,” stated a spokesperson from NWS Chicago.
Impacted interstates embody:
- I-57 between mile markers 258 and 291
- I-65 in Indiana between mile markers 200 and 210
Japanese Illinois and Northwestern Indiana Going through Second Spherical of Snow Squalls
Earlier at 8:33 AM CST, a earlier Snow Squall Warning remained in impact for Kankakee, Ford, and Iroquois counties in Illinois, and Jasper and Newton counties in Indiana. These squalls have been reported close to Herscher and transferring south at 35 mph.
Native communities reminiscent of Bradley, Bourbonnais, Rensselaer, and Morocco have been instantly within the path of this squall. Residents have been warned to organize for visibility close to zero and rapid flash freezing, particularly on bridges and overpasses.
In line with NWS spotters, the squalls are “noticed and vital”, including urgency to public security messaging.
Central Illinois Additionally Seeing Quickly Escalating Circumstances
Concurrently, the NWS in Lincoln, IL, has issued back-to-back Snow Squall Warnings protecting components of Champaign, McLean, and Woodford counties. These warnings have been triggered round 9:07 AM CST, with the climate system transferring at an alarming tempo of 50 mph southeast.
Radar imagery signifies a line of intense snow stretching close to Colfax and west of Gibson Metropolis. Winds exceeding 50 mph have been detected, with the snow squall anticipated to convey:
- Blowing and drifting snow
- Diminished visibility
- Speedy freezing on street surfaces
- Harmful journey situations on I-39, I-55, I-57, and I-74
In a press release supplied by the Lincoln NWS Workplace, officers warned, “There isn’t any protected place on a freeway when a snow squall hits. Visibility and traction are instantly misplaced, making it practically inconceivable to react in time.”
Winter Storm Warnings: Heavy Lake Impact Snow Continues
Along with the snow squalls, the Nationwide Climate Service in Northern Indiana has issued a Winter Storm Warning that is still in impact till 1 PM EST Thursday, January 15, 2026. This warning covers areas together with La Porte, St. Joseph, Marshall counties in Indiana, and Berrien and Cass counties in Michigan.
Key highlights embody:
- 6 to 12 inches of snow anticipated, with domestically increased quantities in Berrien County
- Wind gusts as much as 45 mph close to Lake Michigan
- Whiteout situations, particularly on east-west oriented roads
- Hazardous street situations doubtless for each morning and night commutes
Drivers in these areas are being urged to hold emergency provides and keep away from pointless journey.
Heaviest Snow Bands and Harmful Journey Circumstances
In Cass County, Michigan, areas close to the Berrien-Cass line are anticipated to obtain the heaviest snowfall, with as much as 12 inches forecasted. In the meantime, in Indiana’s Marshall County, areas north of US 30 are more likely to see 4 to eight inches.
“These lake impact snow bands are relentless and might drop visibility from clear to whiteout inside seconds,” defined a meteorologist with NWS Northern Indiana. “Drivers should put together for abrupt and extreme adjustments.”
What You Ought to Do Now
Authorities are asking the general public to keep off the roads, significantly throughout peak squall exercise and heavy snowfall. Right here’s what residents and vacationers in affected areas ought to consider:
- Keep away from journey except completely obligatory.
- Flip headlights on and cut back velocity in case you should drive.
- Concentrate on flash freezing, particularly on untreated roadways.
- Preserve an emergency equipment in your automobile with meals, water, and a flashlight.
- Look ahead to falling branches and unsecured out of doors objects.
The climate can change in a matter of minutes throughout snow squalls. Whiteout situations and ice-coated roads make for a lethal mixture, particularly for these driving at excessive speeds or with out warning.
Forecast Into the Night and Thursday
The storm system answerable for these snow squalls is predicted to linger by the night and into Thursday afternoon. Lake impact snow will stay intense alongside the southern shores of Lake Michigan, particularly in Michigan and northern Indiana.
Motorists and commuters are more likely to face continued delays and harmful driving situations, with the potential for prolonged faculty closings, energy outages, and disruptions in public transportation.
Meteorologists are additionally watching the potential for further snow bands to develop in a single day, significantly if wind situations stay favorable for lake impact growth.
