‘Alert Day’ issued for Thursday due to periods of wet snow, strong winds

On November 19, 2024By Littum

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – Off and on showers are expected tonight into Tuesday morning, with perhaps a quarter inch or so to fall. If we’re really lucky (and we’re being optimistic here given recent trends!) we may even see a partly sunny afternoon, although it will be breezy at times with gusts up to 25 mph

A stronger, winter-like weather system is expected to push into the Great Lakes region midweek, bringing rain initially (midday Wednesday), followed by a flurry of cold air and wet snow into Thursday, bringing a FIRST WEDNESDAY must be issued. There are still some timing discrepancies, but right now this is what we’re tracking:

DINNER WEDNESDAY: Rain increasing with occasional gusts over 30 mph. Temperatures near 50º.
WEDNESDAY EVENING: We are drying out again, but temperatures are dropping quickly with continued strong gusts of wind. Temperatures can be in the 30s before sunset!
WEDNESDAY EVENING: Depending on how cold it is when the precipitation returns, we could see a period of rain and/or mixed precipitation.
THURSDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON: Periods of wet snow likely with slush accumulation. How much slush we see will depend on temperatures and the intensity of the snowfall, and right now we think a slush is definitely on the cards, but it’s not impossible, we’ll see more! Be sure to visit our map room for estimated snowfall throughout the winter! Winds will also be strong with gusts to 40 mph at times. This will make it feel more like the 20s.
THURSDAY EVENING: Blown with snow showers, changing to mixed rain and snow, and finally just rain.

This system will exit late Thursday and we’ll be left with some clouds, maybe a few sunny spells, and maybe even light scattered showers with highs back in the 40s on Friday. If you plan to go to Broadway Plaza for Christmas on Broadway (Linda, Heather and I will be there reporting live from