INDIANAPOLIS – Bartholomew County Emergency Management (BCEM) reports that the National Weather Service has now declared a Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Columbus and south-central Indiana beginning Thursday afternoon and continuing through Friday at 1 p.m. The Warning area includes Bartholomew, Johnson, Jackson, Jennings, Brown, Shelby, and Decatur Counties
Snow with total accumulations of 1 to 4 inches is possible, along with winds gusting up to 50 mph. Wind chills could fall to 25 below zero. Exposed skin could result in frostbite in as few as 15 minutes.
Plan on slippery road conditions. Blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.
A flash freeze is likely Thursday night with temperatures dropping more than 30 degrees in a matter of hours during the transition from rain to snow.
A Winter Storm Watch is issued when there is the potential for significant and hazardous winter weather. It does not mean that bad weather will occur, it only means it is possible. In contrast, a Winter Storm Warning like this one means that the situation is imminent.
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