Lake-effect snow blankets Michiana

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Benton Harbor snow

Benton Harbor was hit hard by lake-effect snow overnight. A WSBT viewer shows over a foot of snow in her back yard as of 7:45 a.m. November 21, 2008. (Photo courtesy Tina of Benton Heights)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Nov 21, 2008 at 7:38 AM EST

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 3:21 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — St. Joseph County experienced a steady snowfall throughout the night as the Michiana area remains under a lake-effect snow warning.

Police and weather observers have described some streets as very icy and have reported poor visibility in some areas. Traffic moved slowly through the morning commute.

County police dispatch reported several slide-offs in the area of Primrose and Brick roads late Thursday night, but said no one was injured.

Other slide-offs have been reported Friday morning along highways in the area, including the St. Joseph Valley Parkway, also known as the U.S. 20 bypass.

Schools across the area are opening late, and some have canceled school for the day.

The National Weather Service has issued the lake-effect snow warning until 1 p.m. Friday. Snowfall intensity was expected to peak overnight.

The heaviest snowfall is expected to fall over Berrien County in Michigan and LaPorte and Starke counties in Indiana.

Cities as far south as Rochester and Warsaw are expected to gain significant accumulation.

WSBT Chief Meteorologist Rick Mecklenburg says we can expect accumulations from 3 to 5 inches, although by the time the snow ends Friday, some spots could record between 6 and 10 inches.

A lake-effect snow warning means significant amounts of lake-effect snow are forecast that will make travel very hazardous or impossible. There have been reports of low visibility in the New Carlisle area and in the Bendix Drive area of South Bend.

Get the full forecast and check StormTracker radar on WSBT.com.

Submit your winter weather photos and video to YouNewsTV on WSBT.com, and you might see them on air!

How much snow did you get? Send us your snowfall totals. Make sure to include your location, the time and date, and snowfall amount in inches.

Saturday, Nov 22 at 12:48 PM Anon in MI wrote ...

To 2:18 AM - Your comment hit the nail right on the head! If you start to slide, slow down, even if you have to drive at 5 miles per hour. Better late than dead.

Saturday, Nov 22 at 11:38 AM gayle wrote ...

Maybe south bend should come off with some money for salt not giant tv's The streets in south bend are still ice covered but if you cross the city line mishawaka streets are dry. Elkhart county streets were in good shape last night. Mr. Kapsa has to decide if it's safe to send south bend children out on the streets that the city could care less about. The person who made the comment about the streets being good should have driven down Mishawaka ave. last night.

Saturday, Nov 22 at 2:18 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Duhhh... It snows around here every year! Can't you people remember how to drive in it from one winter to the next?!

Saturday, Nov 22 at 2:12 AM Robert wrote ...

i dont understand why everyone acts like the schools should close everytime we get a couple of inches of snow. i graduated in 97, and we had to have at least 2 feet of snow on the ground before they would cancel school. i can always remember walking to school in knee deep snow. the friday snowstorm turned out to be nothing more then a usual south bend/ mishawaka snowfall. nothing major.

Friday, Nov 21 at 12:53 PM JAKE wrote ...

South Bend Street have done a great job clearing the streets. If you drive carefully you can get where your going. My guess is the ones complaining about the streets haven't bothered to shovel their own walks.

Friday, Nov 21 at 12:32 PM To Robert wrote ...

Some of these idiots that live and drive around here do need to hear that info...keeps them paying attention. For those of us that KNOW what snow means and is...well we just deal with it and move on.

Friday, Nov 21 at 12:21 PM mit wrote ...

I miss the snow and the fun. on a day where it will be 80* today, I wish I were there. Waiting for Notre Dame to come here to beat USC!

Friday, Nov 21 at 11:51 AM Jim wrote ...

I agree with Robert 7:55. These very mild winters the last 20 years have softened folks a bit. Any time 3 or more inces are predicted the media acts like the sky is falling. Hell I remember when 8-12 inces was just another snow fall.

Friday, Nov 21 at 11:46 AM PENN PARENT wrote ...

TO MIKE QUIT BEING A FREAKIN SOFTY SCHOOLS DON'T NEED TO CLOSE JUST BECAUSE WE GET A COUPLE INCHES OF SNOW. DID YOU LIVE AROUND HERE WHEN YOU WERE A KID? WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD SNOW GET OVER IT ALL READY!!

Friday, Nov 21 at 11:37 AM Jerry - Niles wrote ...

I live 8 miles north of Niles, the Niles Schools didn't close, guess what, our son's bus was ONLY 8 minutes late, picking him up this morning! Good call Niles Schools, by not closing schools today!!!!!!

Friday, Nov 21 at 10:42 AM idiot hater wrote ...

It never ceases to amaze me how stupid you people are. This snow thing happens every year and yet you dopes act like it's the end of the world when we get more that 2 inches or the roads are bad. Close schools? What freaking wimps. Please move away if you can't handle it. Wow! Just wow!

Friday, Nov 21 at 10:40 AM Sharia wrote ...

Woke up staring at a solid 12 inches, maybe more. Didn't bother me, I can take that much, I'm half italian. You people need to head out east, we really get pounded all winter long.

Friday, Nov 21 at 10:27 AM Mike N. wrote ...

why didnt sbcsc close !!!!! Better to be safe then sorry !!! Lets think about the saftey of the children next time !!!

Friday, Nov 21 at 10:24 AM Johnnie Gillespie wrote ...

It is beginnig to look like Christmas.. and with snoman all around us. How beautiful it is to see Gods creation and his finger pointed at everybody who looks at the snow fall. This are the days of caring and forgiving to all mankind. Peace on earth and goodwill towards all men. Was the angels choir singing over yonder before Jesus was found in a manger by the wise men. Who in their right mind would think that has happen long time ago? Scientists are trying to figure out how the beasts of the ear

Friday, Nov 21 at 9:36 AM R U Nuts Robert wrote ...

I drove home from( New Carlisle) work , this morning to South Bend, it was TERIBLE . I cannot believe the South Bend School Corp. DID NOT cancel school. It was & is a mess, 12" of snow already at 9:30 am.

Friday, Nov 21 at 9:23 AM Anonymous wrote ...

The good news is that crime will go down while there's snow on the ground.

Friday, Nov 21 at 9:15 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I don't know what weather station you watched but I didn't get that message at all. I heard 3-5 and some could get more around 10. Guess what? That's exactly what happened. You must remember WSBT covers many counties not just your commute to work and neighborhood. Good call Rick, so far 2 for 2 on the weather predictions.

Friday, Nov 21 at 8:50 AM Kim wrote ...

WHERE WERE THE SNOWPLOWS THIS MORNING ON THE MORNING COMMUTE??? THEY KNEW THIS SNOW WAS COMING AS PREDICTED. WELL, HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR MORNING COFFEE WHILE THE REST OF US "SLIPPED AND SLIDED" ON THE ROADS!!

Friday, Nov 21 at 7:55 AM Robert wrote ...

i can't believe news 22 acted like this was some horrible blizzard. its nothing more then a typical snowfall. the roads were not bad at all as long as you didnt speed. do we really need weather updates every 10 minutes? once again totally ridiculous.

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