The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch in effect from the evening hours Thursday, January 18 through the morning hours Saturday, January 20 for portions of La Porte County and Saint Joseph County, along with Marshall County and Starke County in Indiana, and Berrien County in Michigan.
Meteorologists say lake effect snow is possible with total snow accumulations estimated at over six inches from Thursday evening to Saturday morning. System snow Thursday evening will transition to bands of heavy lake effect snow Friday into Friday night. Intense snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour will be possible within dominant lake effect snow bands. The heaviest snowfall and potential major impacts favor northern La Porte and southwest Berrien counties where localized amounts may exceed a foot.
Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday morning and Friday evening commute.
