Snow, sub-zero wind chills arrive in NE Indiana

The first major snowstorm of 2012 is hitting northeast Indiana.

Forecasters are calling for 2-4 inches around Fort Wayne, and mainly east of I-69. Steuben, DeKalb, Whitley, and parts of Noble County are expected to see between 4-and-6 inches of snow. From the northwest part of Noble and LaGrange County could see 6+ inches of snow.

Area's around South Bend, Elkhart, and closer to Lake Michigan could see upwards of eight inches or more.

The snow began pushing into northeast Indiana around 10 p.m. Thursday evening. And around the 2 a.m. hour Friday morning, heavier snow was starting to arrive in Fort Wayne.

Road conditions throughout the NewsChannel 15 viewing area are rapidly getting worse. Sheriff's Departments and State Police have reported snow covered and icy roadways in many counties. Places south of Fort Wayne and people in northwest Ohio have not seen heavier snow arrive. It's expected to hit the state line around 3 a.m.

The National Weather Service in North Webster is reporting that snow is falling in some areas at about an inch per hour. Some heavier bans of snow could see a rate of up to two-inches per hour.

Very high winds will cause blowing snow and possible white out conditions in some areas. The Indiana State Police advise motorists to slow down when road conditions become icy. If you become stranded, do not abandon your vehicle.

Snow plows from INDOT worked late into Thursday night treating roads ahead of the snow storm.

The other thing to contend with overnight and into the morning hours are the bitter cold temperatures. Strong winds are driving wind chills in many areas below zero. A NewsChannel 15 observation at Huntington University listed the wind chill at -5° F during the overnight hours.

Other reporting stations listed wind chills between 20° F and -4° F.