Winter storm warning: Your commute could be icy and dicey; some districts canceling classes; BCSC to make decision in the morning.

By
Scarlett Syse
-

It’s bread and milk time, Columbus.

A winter storm warning in effect from late tonight through late Friday night that could make your trip to work and home again challenging.

A winter storm warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet and ice are expected. This will make travel very hazardous or impossible, the National Weather Service says. Be prepared for significant reductions in visibility at times.

On Friday morning, send us your reports on road conditions and how your commute went. We will get the word out to others. Click here.

In Jackson County, Brownstown Central Community Schools, Medora and Seymour Community Schools have announced they will be closed Friday. Brown County and Jennings County schools have canceled classes for Friday. It’s an e-learning day for Jennings County.

Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. plans to make its decision in the morning — no later than 5:30 a.m., according to Jim Roberts, superintendent.

The decision will be either to continue with classes or cancel them. A delay in the start of classes won’t be considered on Friday, he said.

In Columbus, The Salvation Army age 55 and older Gleaner’s Food distribution scheduled for Friday has been canceled.

Check out all cancellations and delays here: Link.
Follow updates from National Weather Service: Link.

Some sporting events (Brownstown boys basketball) slated for Friday night are being rescheduled for next week.

Today’s balmy temperatures (57 degrees) gives way to an Arctic front sweeping in rain that will change to freezing rain and then a mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow, then finally over to snow during the day Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

WISH-TV is forecasting a potent cold front that will bring in a rush of frigid air through the overnight, changing rain over to a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain and sleet between midnight and 4 a.m.

Freezing rain and sleet will continue until lunch time with that changing to snow by midday Friday. Up to 0.10 inches ice and 2-5 inches of snow is possible, closer to 2 inches for Indianapolis, according to WISH-TV.

Make sure to follow the forecast and get updates on road conditions, closings and delays at therepublic.com.

INDOT prepares for hazardous weather

In the meantime, Indiana Department of Transportation posts throughout the state are preparing and urging motorists to leave early and drive slow.

INDOT is scheduling a full callout of plow trucks throughout the Southeast District for the second time in the new year.

Anticipating a front edge of freezing rain that will impact Friday morning traffic, INDOT drivers will be in place along designated snow routes in advance of the approaching winter storm.

The number of plow trucks being dispatched per INDOT subdistrict is: Aurora—31 trucks, Bloomington—28 trucks, Columbus—27 trucks, Falls City (Sellersburg and Corydon units)—31 trucks and Madison—33 trucks.

INDOT subdistrict garages will be fully staffed with mechanics until operations have concluded. Drivers and mechanics will work 12-hour shifts.

State highways and interstates will be treated continuously with granular salt along snow routes during Friday morning’s rush hour to minimize iced-over pavements.

INDOT officials advise motorists to leave early, drive slowly and be on constant alert for icy patches and black ice on roadways.

Friday afternoon’s commute will be impacted by significant snowfall, especially along a diagonal line between Jeffersonville/Louisville and Aurora/Cincinnati.

Drivers are urged to give plow truck drivers plenty of room to maneuver, stay out of driver blind spots and allow ample time to make the trip and arrive safely.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR