Nicholas blogs the storm

12:30 PM - Well, after starting this blog just before 4 AM...it's time for me to sign off.  Thanks for reading and keeping posted on today's weather here.  Thanks also to all of you who shared your reports and photos.  Tune in to our 5 & 6 PM newscasts tonight to learn more about the lightning strike (mentioned previously on this blog) that hit a home in Huntington.  Lee Ann Okuly's on the beat this afternoon working to uncover the details and Jonathan will have your complete weekend forecast. 

Here's a link to a gallery of some of the photos we received from viewers today.  

Conditions remain slick (and below freezing) as I type this, but temps are still forecast to warm above freezing later today (before dropping back below freezing later on).

11:39 AM - We'll have the latest on the day's weather events coming up on the News at Noon.  Plus, I'll be sharing some of my favorite viewer photos that you've submitted today.

11:07 AM - Want to know how the snow and precip totals were spread out across the region?  Check out these maps compiled by our local National Weather Service office.

10:44 AM - There are reports of fog developing in portions of the area.  Most visibility levels are still over a mile.  But, the Indiana State Police - Fort Wayne Post has reported a visibility level of around 3/4 of a mile.

10:19 AM -  Attention NOAA Weather Radio users:  If you tune in to the Angola transmitter, it is temporarily off the air due to phone line issues.  I am told technicians are investigating the issue.  If you're looking for current forecast information, we have all you need to know on our weather page .

9 :53 AM - Well, I'm happy to report all the details discussed in the morning news meeting recapping today's winter weather have already been shared here...so, if you've been keeping up with the blog all morning, you're up to speed.  Please keep sharing your pics and sending in your reports.

9:35 AM - Our morning news meeting is getting underway.  The news staff will be sharing updates on today's news and weather situation.  If I get any new info to share, I'll post here.

9:16 AM - More snow totals are rolling in now.  You'll see they aren't all that high...but, remember, it's really been this snow, combined with the freezing rain/ice we've seen that have created the travel difficulties on the roads so far today.  Warsaw - 1.0", Orland 1.5", Bluffton 1.5", North Webster 1.8". 

8:38 AM - Traffic troubles right now: 3 vehicle accident U.S. 30 and St. Rd. 101. I-69 at Coldwater Rd. I-469 at Decatur Rd.

8:10 AM - Columbia City checks in with a 0.5" of snow and .06" of ice on objects.  They've also reported some sleet this morning.

8:05 AM - The latest traffic accidents coming in are these: I-69 southbound at the 303. State and Spy Run. Coldwater south of Washington Center.

7:54 AM - In case you wondered about the city's snow plow stats for the today...the City of Fort Wayne has had 40 trucks out salting and plowing the streets to clear them of the snow and freezing rain that have been making the roads slick this morning.  The main streets and arteries are the focus for the city crews today.

7:27 AM - I wanted to put out another call for your weather photos.  With dawn breaking, I'm wondering what you're seeing.  Please share your weather pics by using Report It .

7:05 AM - I'm hearing of traffic accidents at Lima and Gump and also Engle and Ardmore.  We're also sharing these LIVE traffic updates on our WANE twitter page.  Are you following us @wane15 ? Don't forget...the Live Doppler 15 Weather Team tweets @wanewx .

6:58 AM - First News has signed off for now, but remember we still have live updates every half-hour (around :25 and :55 past the hour) from now through 9 o'clock during CBS This Morning.  My blog coverage here will continue all morning.

6:44 AM - Here's what I know about the lightning around Huntington.  There were 2 reported strikes there.  One strike hit a home between Huntington & Markle on US 224.  No one was hurt, but the fire dept. responded to investigate a potential fire.  While smoke was smelled, no fire was found.  The power company will now come out to check for any electrical issues that may have developed from the strike. 

6:26 AM  - One of your facebook reports prompted us to look into word of a lightning strike and potential house fire in Huntington.  I'm compiling the details for my next TV update just after 6:30 and will post here soon.

6:22 AM - Area emergency management official reports that the wintry mix coming down is making it sound like snowballs are hitting her vehicle.

6:13 AM - The latest traffic troubles to mention are affecting some well-traveled stretches of road in the area.  I'm hearing multiple slide-offs and slippery roads on I-69 between exits 296 and 302 in both directions. Plus, all of I-469  is slippery.

5:50AM - Some areas have been experiencing thunder and lightning this morning. Emergency management officials confirm lightning in Huntington