NEWS

Storm brings far less snow than expected

Betsy Reason
betsy.reason@indystar.com

The winter storm expected to wallop Central Indiana didn't dump as much snow as expected Sunday.

What happened?

"We had some dry air cutting farther south than what we were expecting, and it caused the lower snowfall totals," said National Weather Service meteorologist Amanda Lee.

An additional 2 inches of snow, at the most, are expected to fall in the Indianapolis area through 10 p.m. Sunday, meteorologist Amanda Lee said.

"We had some dry air cutting further south than what we were expecting, and it caused the lower snowfall totals," Lee said.

There is no sleet or freezing rain in the forecast for tonight or Monday in the Indianapolis area.

South of Indianapolis could see a heavier shot, Lee said. Bloomington and Columbus were getting ice and sleet this afternoon, with about 2 to 3 more inches of snow expected to fall by 2 a.m. Monday, when the storm in southern Indiana is expected to be done.

Katy O'Connor, Indianapolis, had a surprise - snow and ice on car windows - after the Indiana University-Ohio State University game in Bloomington, Ind. Snow was not falling before the March 2, 2014, game but it arrived as fans watched the game.

Instead of the predicted 6 to 10 inches of snow, Indianapolis got 2.4 inches.

Hoosiers must endure cold Monday as this winter's one-two punch continues. Temperatures are expected to hit a low of 6 degrees at 7 a.m., with wind chills of 5 to 10 below zero, the weather service said. Today's high should reach 18.

Despite temperatures dipping to 5 Monday night and 13 Tuesday night, this week's forecast calls for gradually warming temperatures, which will see the mid-40s by Friday, Lee said.

There is no precipitation in the metro-area forecast through Saturday.

Southern Indiana has a winter storm warning until 7 a.m. today. Lee said about 2 to 3 additional inches of snow were expected by 2 a.m. Monday.

The record winter snowfall is 58.2 inches. This season's total was 54.7 Sunday evening.

So could we still break the record in snowfall this season?

"Obviously, we're moving into spring, so it's less and less likely," she said. "But it's not completely out of the question."

Call Star reporter Betsy Reason at (317) 444-6049. Follow her on Twitter: @BetsyReason.