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Drivers in LaPorte County were urged to avoid traveling on Interstate 94 Friday afternoon as dangerous road conditions were reported after more than two feet of snow fell across parts of the county.
In a post on the social media platform X at around 2:40 p.m., Indiana State Police asked drivers not to travel on the interstate, explaining traffic wasn't moving, plows were stuck in miles-long traffic backups and troopers were having difficulty reaching drivers.
As a result of the heavy snowfall and slick roads, LaPorte County issued a travel warning, the highest level of a travel advisory, under which residents should refrain from all travel.
Drivers encountered challenging road conditions as early as Friday morning - when a winter system brought multiple inches of snow to the county.
In northeast Illinois, between two and four inches of snow fell by the late morning, also leading to slick roads.
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While snow has stopped falling in most of the Chicago area, northwest Indiana isn't in the clear just yet.
An additional two to eight inches of snowfall are possible through noon on Saturday. According to the NWS, the lake effect snow bands are expected to meander across the area this evening, leading to continued hazardous conditions on the road.
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Intense snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour are possible with the dominant lake effect snow bans, according to meteorologists.
The NWS warns that due to the nature of lake effect snow, conditions can vary significantly over very short distances and go from flurries to whiteout conditions in just a few miles. While the brunt of the snow will likely impact LaPorte County, lighter snow is also possible in Lake County.
