Crews prepare for overnight snowfall

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - As much as 16 inches of snow fell in parts of Wisconsin Wednesday night into Thursday afternoon, and Thursday night, that storm was headed our way.

In our neck of the woods, News 18 Meteorologist Cameron Hopman said it's not the amount of snow we need to be worried about, but the winds.

"The winds will be really gusting from the northwest, as high as 50 to 55 miles per hour," said Hopman. "That will really cause many road problems between travel, drifting snow, low visibility, that will be a problem."

Hopman said if you're planning on traveling out of town for Christmas, the road conditions should be manageable. However, he said the day after Christmas, it could be a different story.

"Freezing rain, some ice pellets instead of the snow, some very icy road conditions," said Hopman. "That can really cause some problems for travels far as the day after Christmas goes, and the days following that, because once the snow moves off to the northeast, we'll get more snow on top of the ice."

Hopman said those traveling for the holidays should remember to always keep water and warm blankets inside the car, in case of an emergency.

For the storm that's expected to hit Thursday evening, the City of Lafayette said it has you covered.

Street Department General Foreman Darin Woods said they'll have trucks patrolling throughout parts of Lafayette, US 52, and State Road 26, for 25 hours.

Woods said workers began using salt brine around noon on Thursday, and throughout the night, he expects to use about 80 tons of salt.

In order to make their job a little easier, Woods said there is one thing you can do.

"When shoveling your driveway, please try to keep the snow materials on the left side, if you're facing your house," said Woods. "So, when we come by, we will just push the snow into the front yard, instead of back out into the driveway."

Woods also said to move your car if it's parked in the street, so the plows can salt the roads as quickly and efficiently as possible.