Marshall County is now under an orange level travel watch. That means only essential travel is recommended. Starke, LaPorte and Pulaski Counties are still under yellow level travel advisories, meaning routine travel may be restricted because roads are hazardous in places. Find more information at http://www.in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory/.
The National Weather Service has also extended the wind chill advisory for the area through noon tomorrow. Wind chills will fall to between 15 and 25 below zero and remain in that range. More snow is also expected, and strong west winds will cause blowing and drifting this morning.
Winds gusting up to 40 mph in some locations will reduce visibility for drivers. INDOT crews will take steps to minimize the amount of blowing snow that sticks or drifts onto cleared highways. They are on call to staff plow trucks around the clock, with alternating 12 to 16-hour shifts.
Sub-freezing temperatures increase the changes for black ice or slick sports that may be difficult for drivers to distinguish from dry pavement. Four-wheel drive vehicles are no match if all tires are on ice. When temperatures are below zero, road salt has to work harder to melt accumulated snow and ice. Road salt may be mixed with sand or specialty chemicals that help it work more effectively in those conditions.
