Winter Storm in Indiana, December 13, 2000

A major winter storm produced 3 to 4 inches of snow across southwest Indiana, followed by 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice. The snow began during the mid to late-morning hours, falling at rates near one inch per hour. During the midday hours, the snow changed to freezing rain after a brief period of sleet. Light to occasionally moderate freezing rain fell during the afternoon and early evening hours. The heavy precipitation was caused by a strong upper level disturbance that tracked east-northeast from the southern Rockies, across the southern Plains, and then over the lower Mississippi Valley. A strong southerly flow of milder air just above ground level was unable to scour out very cold air right at the surface, which produced an extended period of snow and ice. The liquid equivalent of all the frozen and freezing precipitation was between three quarters of an inch and one inch. Numerous accidents occurred, most of which were minor. In Vanderburgh County, including Evansville, police reported more than 50 accidents. Most schools and some businesses were closed by the storm.