Winter Storm in Indiana, January 1 to 2, 2008

Name: Winter Storm in Indiana, January 1 to 2, 2008
Start: 2008-01-01T00:00
End: 2008-01-02T04:29
Location: Indiana

January 1 to 2, 2008 · NWS IWX · 9 events in 9 counties and zones

Another strong cold front, accompanied by developing low pressure, resulted in snow across much northern Indiana. While the highest amounts were only around 4 inches in the far northwestern part of the area, strong winds caused widespread blowing and drifting with white-out conditions at times.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 6 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 2
Injuries: 2
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 9

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS IWX wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Northern Indiana wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 31, 6:27 PM EST, 5 hours 33 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 31, 6:27 PM EST, 5 hours 33 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 31, 4:18 AM EST, 19 hours 42 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
418 AM EST MON DEC 31 2007

INZ003>005-012-014-MIZ077-078-011000-
LA PORTE-ST. JOSEPH IN-ELKHART-STARKE-MARSHALL-BERRIEN-CASS MI-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MICHIGAN CITY...LA PORTE...SOUTH BEND...
MISHAWAKA...ELKHART...GOSHEN...KNOX...NORTH JUDSON...PLYMOUTH...
BREMEN...NILES...BENTON HARBOR...ST. JOSEPH...BUCHANAN...DOWAGIAC...
CASSOPOLIS
418 AM EST MON DEC 31 2007 /318 AM CST MON DEC 31 2007/

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHERN INDIANA
AND SOUTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE REGION
TONIGHT...SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 5 TO 9 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE BY
TUESDAY MORNING. INCREASING WINDS OVERNIGHT FROM THE NORTH WILL
PROMOTE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WELL INTO TUESDAY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

MUCH COLDER TEMPERATURES AND VERY COLD WIND CHILLS ARE EXPECTED
TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY. WINDS ON TUESDAY MAY APPROACH SUSTAINED
LEVELS OF 25 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH. THERE IS ALSO THE
POTENTIAL FOR MODERATE TO HEAVY LAKE EFFECT SNOW TUESDAY INTO
WEDNESDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SNOWFALL RATES AND ACCUMULATIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED THROUGH THE NEXT
FEW DAYS.

&&

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES...OR
CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT WEATHER.GOV/IWX

LMZ043-046-011000-
NEW BUFFALO MI TO ST JOSEPH MI-MICHIGAN CITY IN TO NEW BUFFALO MI-
418 AM EST MON DEC 31 2007

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN LAKE
MICHIGAN.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS FOR SMALL CRAFT ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP LATE MONDAY
NIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED AGAIN THROUGH WEDNESDAY WITH
STRONG WINDS AND HIGH WAVES. WIND GUSTS MAY APPROACH GALE FORCE
LEVELS ON TUESDAY. ALSO...FREEZING SPRAY IS LIKELY DURING THIS
PERIOD.

&&

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES...OR
CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT WEATHER.GOV/IWX/PROGRAMAREAS/MARINE/INDEX.PHP

INZ006>009-013-015>018-020-022>025-MIZ079>081-OHZ001-002-004-005-015-
011000-
LAGRANGE-STEUBEN-NOBLE-DE KALB-PULASKI-FULTON IN-KOSCIUSKO-WHITLEY-
ALLEN IN-WHITE-CASS IN-MIAMI-WABASH-HUNTINGTON-ST. JOSEPH MI-BRANCH-
HILLSDALE-WILLIAMS-FULTON OH-DEFIANCE-HENRY-PAULDING-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...LAGRANGE...TOPEKA...ANGOLA...
KENDALLVILLE...LIGONIER...AUBURN...GARRETT...WINAMAC...
FRANCESVILLE...ROCHESTER...WARSAW...WINONA LAKE...COLUMBIA CITY...
SOUTH WHITLEY...FORT WAYNE...MONTICELLO...BROOKSTON...LOGANSPORT...
PERU...WABASH...NORTH MANCHESTER...HUNTINGTON...STURGIS...
THREE RIVERS...COLDWATER...HILLSDALE...BRYAN...MONTPELIER...
WAUSEON...ARCHBOLD...DEFIANCE...NAPOLEON...PAULDING...ANTWERP
418 AM EST MON DEC 31 2007

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHWEST OHIO...
SOUTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN AND NORTHERN INDIANA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE REGION
TONIGHT...SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 5 TO 9 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE BY
TUESDAY MORNING. INCREASING WINDS OVERNIGHT FROM THE NORTH WILL
PROMOTE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WELL INTO TUESDAY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

MUCH COLDER TEMPERATURES AND VERY COLD WIND CHILLS ARE EXPECTED
TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY. WINDS ON TUESDAY MAY APPROACH SUSTAINED
LEVELS OF 25 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SNOWFALL RATES AND ACCUMULATIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED THROUGH THE NEXT
FEW DAYS.

&&

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES...OR
CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT WEATHER.GOV/IWX

INZ026-027-032>034-OHZ016-024-025-011000-
WELLS-ADAMS-GRANT-BLACKFORD-JAY-PUTNAM-VAN WERT-ALLEN OH-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BLUFFTON...OSSIAN...DECATUR...BERNE...
MARION...HARTFORD CITY...MONTPELIER...PORTLAND...OTTAWA...PANDORA...
VAN WERT...DELPHOS...LIMA
418 AM EST MON DEC 31 2007

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHWEST OHIO AND
NORTHERN INDIANA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE REGION
TONIGHT...SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE BY
TUESDAY MORNING. INCREASING WINDS OVERNIGHT FROM THE NORTH WILL
PROMOTE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WELL INTO TUESDAY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

MUCH COLDER TEMPERATURES AND VERY COLD WIND CHILLS ARE EXPECTED
TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY. WINDS ON TUESDAY MAY APPROACH SUSTAINED
LEVELS OF 25 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SNOWFALL RATES AND ACCUMULATIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED THROUGH THE NEXT
FEW DAYS.

&&

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES...OR
CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT WEATHER.GOV/IWX

SCHOTT

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

9 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Elkhart

When: January 1, 12:00 AM EST to January 2, 4:29 AM EST
Where: Elkhart forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.597, -85.859 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The storm brought a wide variation in amounts to the county, ranging from around 10 inches in far southeastern parts of the county, to 19.5 inches near the city of Elkhart. The locally higher amounts were due to a combination of enhanced bands of both system and lake enhanced snow. Strong winds also created widespread blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm, Kosciusko

When: January 1, 12:00 AM EST to January 2, 1:21 AM EST
Where: Kosciusko forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The storm brought 6 to 9 inches of snow to much of the county with isolated higer amounts in the northern part of the county where around 11 inches was measured at the Nationa Weather Service office just north of North Webster. Strong winds also created widespread blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm, Steuben

When: January 1, 12:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Steuben forecast zone
Deaths: 0 direct, 2 indirect
Injuries: 0 direct, 2 indirect
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.644, -85.001 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The storm brought 8 to 12 inches of snow to much of the county. Strong winds also created widespread blowing and drifting snow. The wintery conditions contributed to an accident involving at least 6 Bowling Green State University international students on the Indiana Toll Road just inside the Steuben county line at mile marker 135. Two women, ages 25 and 26, were ejected from the Chrysler minivan they were occupying. The vehicle landed on one of the woman, killing her instantly, with the other being thrown into the westbound lane and subsequently struck and killed. Two men suffered minor head injuries with the remaining occupants not suffering any injuries.

Winter Storm, Lagrange

When: January 1, 12:00 AM EST to January 2, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Lagrange forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.643, -85.426 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The storm brought 7 to 11 inches of snow to much of the county with isolated reports of up to 13 inches. Strong winds also created widespread blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm, St. Joseph

When: January 1, 12:00 AM EST to January 2, 4:29 AM EST
Where: St. Joseph forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The storm brought a wide variation in amounts to the county, ranging from around 11 inches in southeastern parts of the county, to 26 inches in New Carslie. The locally higher amounts were due to a combination of enhanced bands of both system and lake enhanced snow. Strong winds also created widespread blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm, Starke

When: January 1, 12:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Starke forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.281, -86.648 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The storm brought 9 to 11 inches of snow across the county. Strong winds also created widespread blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm, Marshall

When: January 1, 12:00 AM EST to January 2, 4:29 AM EST
Where: Marshall forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.325, -86.262 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The storm brought 6 to 9 inches of snow across the county. Strong winds also created widespread blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm, Fulton

When: January 1, 12:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Fulton forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.047, -86.264 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The storm brought 6 to 8 inches of snow across the county. Strong winds also created widespread blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm, La Porte

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 2, 4:29 AM CST
Where: La Porte forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The storm brought a wide variation in amounts to the county, ranging from around 12 inches in southeastern parts of the county, to 23.5 inches in Rolling Prairie. The locally higher amounts were due to a combination of enhanced bands of both system and lake enhanced snow. Strong winds also created widespread blowing and drifting snow.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Winter Storm, Steuben	2008-01-02	25	Female	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Indirect
Winter Storm, Steuben	2008-01-02	26	Female	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Indirect

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Indiana in 2008 Every state in 2008 This day in weather history Warnings in Indiana, January 2008

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 73422, 73423, 73424, 73425, 73428, 73429, 73431, 73433, 73427.