Happening: Ohio and Indiana Snow Causing MAJOR Issues

As I mentioned in the forecast post this morning, a shortwave is moving towards the region, and will exit quickly this afternoon. While the weather here has been pretty quiet and subdued, that is not the case in central Indiana and central Ohio. A band of heavy snowfall has formed along a band of frontogenesis in the lower levels of the atmosphere. This Ohio and Indiana snow is a force to be reckoned with today.

700 mb frontogenesis this morning. The highest axis is directly over the heaviest band of snowfall. h/t SPC

Frontogenesis is exactly what it sounds like – the essential creation of a front. This is typically done through the enhancement of a temperature gradient, and it enhances lift in the atmosphere. This morning, this shortwave trough has moved in, created a strong band of this and it is resulting in some very heavy snowfall rates from Indianapolis, Indiana through Dayton, Ohio. This wasn’t a well forecast band, but some higher-resolution models did show this scenario potentially unfolding.

The radar loop of the heavy snowfall this morning. h/t NWS

This has created a nightmare on the roads up there, but especially on I-70. I-70 Westbound and Eastbound are closed just outside of Indianapolis because of the Indiana snow. It isn’t getting any better in Ohio near Dayton, either. Check out some of the webcam images. Some of them are pretty freaky.

Look at how heavy the snowfall is on I-70 just near Dayton! h/t Ohio DOT — Look at how heavy the Ohio snowfall is on I-70 just near Dayton! h/t Ohio DOT

i-70_at_taywood_rd — Holy cow! That is some heavy snowfall. It is harrowing to see such light traffic in the middle of the day on a major highway. h/t Ohio DOT

This one is from Indiana. Look how lightly travelled the road it. It is crazy and scary. h/t Indiana DOT — This one is from the Indiana snow. Look how lightly travelled the road it. It is crazy and scary. h/t Indiana DOT

This is very scary, and is why the I-7 is being shut down. Keep the affected folks in your thoughts and prayers. h/t Indiana DOT — This is very scary, and is why the I-70 is being shut down. Keep the affected folks in your thoughts and prayers. h/t Indiana DOT

If you know anyone traveling Westbound or Eastbound on I-70 this afternoon, try to advise them of a different route there. To watch how this event unfolds and continues to play out, be sure to go to the Indiana and Ohio DOT Live Traffic Pages. Keep the folks affected in the accidents in your thoughts and prayers, as well.