Heavy snow and freezing, gusty winds could soon impact afternoon commutes across central Indiana. The National Weather Service in Indianapolis issued a special weather statement early Wednesday warning motorists that slippery surfaces and brief whiteout conditions could occur into the afternoon and early evening hours.

Forecasters said Hoosiers should be extra careful during rush hour Wednesday.

“We are concerned about the possibility of lightning freezes,” said NWS meteorologist Matthew Eckhoff. “This is when the street temperature is just warm enough to melt the first snowflakes, and then as it continues to snow and gets colder and colder, that layer of water turns into ice.”

Eckhoff added that road conditions could quickly deteriorate without warning. Here’s what you need to know about Wednesday’s weather in central Indiana.

The arctic cold front is expected to reach central Indiana on Wednesday afternoon

Meteorologists say Hoosiers in the Indianapolis area should prepare for snow showers and snow squalls Wednesday between 2 and 8 p.m. as an arctic cold front sweeps across the Midwest.

Eckhoff said the system was unstable and would likely collapse before midnight. He previously warned drivers to exercise caution on central Indiana roads.

“When these snow showers come through, you could go from seeing virtually no snow at all to very heavy snow with reduced visibility, with snow covering the roads in just a few minutes,” Eckhoff said.

NWS meteorologist: “This cold is impossible to miss.”

Wind gusts of up to 40 mph and heavy snow were possible, NWS said in a social media post, which could drastically limit drivers’ ability to see their surroundings. Another concern for meteorologists, Eckhoff said, was a chilly wind that dropped from 0 to minus 10 degrees on Wednesday evening.

“The cold cannot be overlooked,” warned Eckhoff. “Even if it snows, winds will blow at 50 to 60 km/h and temperatures will drop to minus ten percent overnight. People should limit their time outdoors and definitely avoid going outside if possible.”

Find a warm place to stay in Indianapolis: It’s freezing cold. Where to stay warm and find somewhere to stay in Indy.

How to check road conditions in Indianapolis

One possibility is that motorists in central Indiana can check how safe the roads are online using INDOT’s CARS program. The program provides useful information about road conditions, closures, and width and weight restrictions.

The website provides a color-coded map of Indiana’s major roads, highlighting dangerous or difficult road conditions in purple, fair conditions in blue, and good conditions in gray.

What is a snow squall?

A snow squall is a strong gust of snow and wind that typically lasts one to three hours. They produce white vision and rapidly deteriorate road conditions. This could drastically reduce visibility during heavier snow showers and squalls, the National Weather Service noted in its Hazardous Weather Outlook Alert.

Live weather radar for central Indiana

Weather forecast for Indianapolis, Indiana, via NWS

❄️ Wednesday: Snow showers likely, mainly after 4 p.m. Increasing cloudiness, with a high near 35. West wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Overall, less than half an inch of snow accumulation is possible during the day.

❄️ Wednesday evening: Snow showers likely, mainly before 9 p.m. Mostly cloudy early evening, then gradually clearing, with a low around 14. West wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 53 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

☁️ Thursday: Increasing clouds, high near 27. West wind 6 to 9 mph.

☁️ Thursday evening: Cloudy, becoming partly cloudy, with lows around 20°C. Light and changing wind.

🌤️ Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 41. East-southeast wind 3 to 6 mph.

🌧️☁️ Friday evening: 30 percent chance of rain after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Southeast wind around 7 mph.

🌧️ Saturday: Shower. High near 47. South-southeast wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%.

🌧️ Saturday evening: Shower. Low temperature around 41. South-southeast wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%.

🌧️☁️ Sunday: 50 percent chance of rain, mostly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Southwest wind around 7 mph.

🌧️☁️ Sunday evening: 20 percent chance of rain after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. South-southeast wind 3 to 5 mph.

🌧️☁️ Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51.

🌧️☁️ Monday evening: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with lows around 33°C.

🌧️☀️ Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high of around 44°C.

How drivers can prepare for inclement winter weather in Indiana

Prepare for the realistic worst-case scenario, which would include snow accumulation and short travel impacts. When planning your commute for Wednesday, keep the following in mind:

• 🚨Watch out for brake lights from other vehicles in front of you

• ↔️ Leave more space between cars

Staying safe on Indiana roads during a winter storm depends largely on how prepared you are. The Indiana Department of Transportation offers the following tips:

• To know: Before you leave home, check the driving conditions. Safe drivers know the weather and their limits. If the weather is bad, remember: “Ice and snow, take it slow,” or just don’t go.

• Clear: Remove all snow from your vehicle’s windows, lights, brake lights and signals. Make sure you can see and be seen.

• Check: Check your vehicle’s tires, wiper blades, fluids, lights, belts and hoses. A breakdown is bad on a good day and dangerous on a bad weather day.

• Time: Plan enough time to reach your destination safely. It’s not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to be on time.

• Kit: Keep basic winter survival gear in your vehicle, including a flashlight, batteries, blanket, snacks, water, gloves, boots and a first aid kit. Load your car with winter travel gear, including tire chains, ice scrapers/whisks, jumper cables, and road flares.

White Christmas 2024: Will it snow in Indiana on Christmas? Perhaps. Here’s a look at the long-term forecast.

John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at [email protected]. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.

Jade Jackson is a public safety reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at [email protected] and follow her on X, officially Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.

Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at [email protected] or follow him on X @1NoePadilla.

This article originally appeared on the Indianapolis Star: Snow and flash freeze could impact your commute in central Indiana on Wednesday