Much of Indiana and other parts of the midwest are bracing for a winter storm that could bring moderate to heavy snow, possible sleet and sub-freezing temperatures Sunday through Monday.
Follow for live updates on road conditions, current weather and travel alerts and snowfall reports.
MONDAY 2PM:
All Monroe County Community School Corporation schools are closed today and will move to eLearning on Tuesday, the district announced. There will be no live instruction
Food service pickup for families will be available at Templeton and Fairview Elementary schools from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Families are asked to RSVP using a form to indicate the number of meals that are needed.
Pickup at Templeton at Door 13 and at Fairview at Door 12.
Tuesday's previously-scheduled public input meeting on the future of the Bloomington Police Department headquarters has been cancelled. The meeting is rescheduled for Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m.
Monroe County remains under a Travel Warning.
SUNDAY 9:45PM:
Monroe County is placed under a Travel Warning by the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency.
When a travel warning is issued, travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only.
SUNDAY 4:30PM:
The City of Bloomington Sanitation will operate on a delayed collection schedule for the rest of the week because of the ongoing winter storm.
All sanitation services, including trash and recycling collection, will run on a one-day delay.
Monroe County Government offices will also close Monday, including the courts and prosecutor's office.
Emergency services will remain available.
SUNDAY 4PM:
Monroe County is placed under a Travel Watch by the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency.
During a travel watch, only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended.
You can see current travel alerts on the Indiana Department of Homeland Security alert dashboard.
All Monroe County Community School Corporation schools will be closed Monday because of the travel alert status. All after-school activities are canceled and there will not be eLearning, MCCSC said.
"While MCCSC makes every effort to ensure the continuation of learning when schools are closed, see our School Closings webpage for more information on MCCSC’s approach to eLearning," MCCSC said on their website. "We hope you and your family stay safe, warm, and enjoy the 'snow day.'"
SUNDAY 3:30PM:
After a short pause, the snow is falling once again and is expected to continue through tomorrow evening.
Police have responded to several crashes and slid offs on area roadways, according to Indiana State Police. A Travel Advisory remains in effect until further notice from the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency.
Around two and a half inches of snow was reported in Bloomington with more in areas farther south.
The National Weather Service said rain/snow sleet is beginning to fall in the southwestern part of the state, where Travel Warnings are in place for difficult and poor road conditions.
The mix is expected to impact areas in and around Bloomington starting at around 6pm Sunday through early Monday morning. Most of the heaviest snow will fall Sunday evening.
SUNDAY NOON:
The snow is coming down quickly in Bloomington.
Monroe County remains under a Travel Advisory. Surrounding counties are under advisories as well.
Brown and Orange counties are under Travel Watches, which are issued when only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended.
The National Weather Service said two to four inches of snow has already been reported in southwest Indiana. Expect snowfall rates to gradually increase through the day, with little-to-no changes to the forecasted amounts and storm track, according to the NWS.
Bloomington is forecasted to get anywhere from eight to 12 inches of snow, although higher amounts are possible.
A warming shelter is available at First Christian Church in Bloomington at 205 E. Kirkwood Ave. for those needing shelter.
SUNDAY 10:30 AM:
Monroe County is placed under a Travel Advisory by the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency.
Under a travel advisory, routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas. If road conditions worsen, MCEMA may upgrade the travel alert to a watch or warning.
During a travel watch, only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended.
When a travel warning is issued, travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only.
You can see current travel alerts on the Indiana Department of Homeland Security alert dashboard.
SATURDAY 8 PM:
Blizzard warnings have been issued across parts of Kansas and Missouri.
A Blizzard Warning is issued when sustained winds gusts are 35 mph or greater, and, combined with blowing and or falling snow, reduces visibility below 1/4 mile for three hours or more.
Blizzard warnings can be issued for imminent or expected conditions within the 36 hours. Temperatures are assumed below 32°F, and snow should accumulate at least one inch in 12 hours, according to the National Weather Service.
While Monroe County is not currently under a Blizzard Warning, the NWS is predicting winds of up to 15 mph and gusts near 30 mph.
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for Monroe County from 7 a.m. Sunday through at least 1 p.m. Monday.
SATURDAY 5 PM:
SNOWFALL ESTIMATES
The National Weather Service has updated their predicted snowfall totals for Bloomington. The latest forecast predicts Monroe County and the surrounding area will get anywhere from six to 12 inches of snow.
On the lower end of the prediction, Monroe County could pick up around half a foot of snow. NWS said this would be the result of a more southern storm bringing higher amount of sleet as opposed to snow.
The latest forecast from NWS shows there is a 90% chance of higher snow totals than this scenario.
On the higher end of the prediction, snow totals for Monroe County could be greater than one foot. NWS said this would be the result of colder air temperatures and a higher snow to liquid ratio, bringing higher snow amounts as opposed to sleet or freezing rain.
The latest forecast from NWS shows there is a 75% chance of lower snow totals than this scenario.
ICE FORECAST
The National Weather Service is also predicting ice accumulations for parts of southern Indiana.
STORM TIMING
The National Weather Service also made a slight change to their forecast on the timing of the storm.
Light snow is expected to start in Bloomington before 6 a.m. Sunday before transitioning to a wintry mix by midday. Heavy snow and gusty winds would return and continue through at least midnight Monday.
NWS predicts freezing rain will start sometime after midnight and continue through 6 a.m. Monday before returning to light to moderate snow through Monday.
The entire storm is expected to wrap up by late Monday.
WINTER STORM WARNING
As of 5 p.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for Monroe County, in effect from 7 a.m. Sunday through at least 1 p.m. Monday.
A Winter Storm Warning is issued when winter weather conditions are occurring or expected to occur within the 36 hours and are capable of producing high-impact and potentially life-threatening conditions.
TRAVEL ALERTS
Major travel impacts are expected through the heaviest bands of snow and periods of sleet.
If road conditions worsen, the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency may issue travel alerts for the county, ranging from an advisory, watch or warning.
While there are no current travel alerts for Monroe County, you can see current travel alerts on the Indiana Department of Homeland Security alert dashboard.
Under a travel advisory, routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas. During a travel watch, only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended. When a travel warning is issued, travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only.
This article will be updated with new information as the expected winter storm arrives in Bloomington.
