A Winter Storm Warning was issued for Porter and La Porte Counties in Northwest Indiana Thursday morning warning of several inches of snow forecast to fall throughout the day with blowing snow conditions.
The snow system is narrow, and the heavy snow will be isolated in eastern Porter County and western La Porte County. Surrounding areas, including the Chicago metro area, may see a dusting of snow, but most of the area will see sunshine instead while the snow falls to the east.
The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday for Porter County and 9 p.m. for La Porte County. Between 5 and 8 inches of snow could fall by the end of the day.
Strong winds from the northwest with gusts up to 45 miles per hour could cause blowing and drifting snow conditions, officials warned.
Meanwhile in the Chicago metro area, the bitter cold temperatures will increase slightly Friday before a second cold front moves in Saturday morning. Temperatures will remain cold all day Thursday with highs in the teens.
Temperatures Friday will be in the upper teens to mid-20's during the day. A light dusting of snow is possible with this slight warm-up Friday and Saturday, but there will be less than an inch of accumulation in most areas.
The bitter cold moves in gradually throughout the day Saturday for what could be the coldest Valentine's Day on record in the Chicago area, with a projected high of just 12 degrees during the day.
Local
Lake effect snow in the Michiana region will start again Saturday and last through the weekend with windy and bitter cold condtions.
