Area roads get prepped for winter storm

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Road crews are working triple-time to prepare for the broad winter storm headed northeast and barreling right toward our area.

The Indiana Department of Public Transportation (INDOT) says the winter storm fronted by freezing rain is expected to impact highways statewide, making Friday morning’s commute very challenging.

“For our area, we’re still expecting about 1 to 3 inches for now,” WLFI Chief Meteorologist Chad Evans said Thursday afternoon. “It’s just going to be miserable tonight, though. That sleet’s going keep falling and we’ll have wind gusts around 30 miles per hour.”

You can stay in-the-know on this developing system with Chad’s Blog, which he updates as often as he can.

WEATHER FROM WHERE YOU LIVE | THE OUTLOOK

INDOT said salt trucks will be out in full force all Thursday evening in a continuing effort to prevent snow and ice from building up on lanes, and to melt any ice that might form.

INDOT will continue to monitor multiple developing forecasts, as well as a statewide network of road and bridge pavement sensors, to deploy needed personnel, equipment and materials.

State highways and interstates are being pre-treated with brine to help prevent snow and ice from accumulating on bridges, overpasses and some mainline sections prior to any rain washing away the salt coating.

INDOT trucks will be around as the weather front approaches this evening, continuing to apply salt as the freezing rain makes its way to Earth.

Drivers should use extreme care tonight and tomorrow. INDOT says commuters should leave extra early Friday morning and allow sufficient time to reach destinations safely.

If possible, postpone your trip until after the morning rush hour as weather conditions are expected to moderate significantly later in the day.

You can monitor road conditions and traffic alerts across the state at any time by phone (800-261-7623), web or social media.

Make sure to keep your phone handy. Take photos and videos of the storm or damage left behind (or snowmen, we're not picky) and send them to us using Report!t. Your images could make an appearance on-air or in an online photo gallery.

And, of course, you can catch Chad's full forecast on-air on News 18 at 5, 6 and 11 p.m. every day.