Hauteans and other Wabash Valley residents navigated another day in the snow and cold on Friday.
The National Weather Service predicted 2 to 4 inches between 4 a.m. Friday and 4 a.m. Saturday, and by the time the Friday evening commute rolled around, that forecast seemed on the mark.
Jesse Walker at WTWO-TV had Terre Haute down for 2 inches as of 5 p.m., and other sources had spots in or near the city at about 2.5 inches. Walker and other meteorologists predicted the snow would clear the area by 10 or 11 p.m.
Although much less than the Sunday-Monday snowfall of up 8 inches in the area, Friday’s snow came with its own challenges.
Area police agencies for the most part reported slide-offs and fender benders, although the Indiana Department of Transportation for West Central Indiana reported a significant crash about 4:30 p.m. on Interstate 70 in Vigo County between Darwin and Prairietown Roads near Toad Hop. It closed eastbound lanes of the interstate for a period.
INDOT asked the driving public to avoid that area and to slow down in general on Friday evening as snow continued falling.
Vigo County Commissioner Mark Clinkenbeard wrote much the same late Monday afternoon: “Highway crews have been out salting roads all day, but the snow is coming down pretty good now and creating slick roads. Take extra time and reduce your speed when driving tonight.”
Although snow was expected to end Friday night, forecasts continued to show some wet and and an abundance of cold ahead.
In a hazardous weather outlook issued about 3:15 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service said a quick moving system likely would bring a mixture of light snow showers and freezing drizzle Sunday afternoon and evening.
Subzero wind chills are then expected during the overnight hours Monday night through Wednesday night.
While Sunday’s high would approach 33, Sunday night’s low would be about 19.
Monday could hit 25, but a west wind of 6 to 10 mph is likely, and gusts might reach 20 mph. Monday night could bring a low of 6 degrees.
Tuesday, the weather service said, should see a high near 17, but Tuesday night could bring a low of -1.
To find a warming center in Indiana, call 211 or 866-211-9966, or visit IN211.org.