Valparaiso, Indiana Drops From 44 to 33 Degrees as Lake Effect Rain Turns to Snow Showers and Road Temperatures Fall Near Freezing Thursday Night Into Friday Morning

VALPARAISO, Indiana — Colder air sweeping across Lake Michigan is set to bring lake effect rain and snow showers to northwest Indiana from Thursday November 12 into Friday November 13. Temperatures around Valparaiso will slide from the mid-40s on Thursday afternoon into the lower 30s overnight. By Friday morning, road surfaces are expected to cool to near 32 degrees, which could make the morning drive tricky.

Lake Michigan Turns Cold Air Into Rain and Snow

Lake effect weather happens when cold air blows across the warmer waters of Lake Michigan. The lake adds heat and moisture to the air, which then rises and forms bands of clouds and showers once it reaches land. Northwest Indiana sits right in the path when winds blow from the north and northwest.

That is why towns near the southern shore of the lake often see rain or snow while cities a little farther away stay dry.

From Gary to La Porte, Who Sits in the Lake Effect Zone

Communities closest to the lake and just inland are most likely to see showers:

• Valparaiso is the focus of the forecast, with rain turning to snow showers overnight.
• Gary, Chesterton and Schererville sit near the lakeshore where showers can develop quickly.
• Michigan City and La Porte are in line for lake effect bands coming off the water.
• South Bend and Plymouth sit farther east and south, where showers may be lighter.

Hour by Hour, Valparaiso Cools 11 Degrees

Here is how air temperatures are expected to fall in Valparaiso from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning:

Why Roads Stay Warm Until Sunset

On Thursday afternoon, road surfaces are expected to be much warmer than the air, near 62 degrees at 1:00 PM. Sunshine heats the pavement during the day, and the ground below the road, sitting near 52 degrees, helps hold that warmth.

Once the sun sets and clouds and showers move in, the pavement loses heat quickly. By Friday morning, road temperatures are expected to drop to around 32 degrees, right at the freezing mark.

Roads Turn Wet After 6 PM

Roads are expected to stay dry through about 5:00 PM Thursday. Starting around 6:00 PM, showers move in and roads turn wet, staying that way through Friday morning. Rain is expected early, with snow showers mixing in overnight as temperatures fall.

Road Treatment Possible After 10 PM

With roads cooling and staying wet, our team expects road treatment to become possible starting around 10:00 PM Thursday. That chance continues through 7:00 AM Friday. Crews may put down salt or brine on bridges, overpasses and shaded roads, which tend to freeze first.

Tips for the Friday Morning Commute

• Leave a few minutes early on Friday morning in case roads are slick.
• Slow down on bridges and overpasses, which cool faster than regular roads.
• Watch for patchy ice where wet pavement drops to 32 degrees.
• Keep extra distance between you and the car ahead.
• Clear snow and frost from all windows before driving.
• Check road conditions before heading toward Gary, Michigan City or La Porte.

Boxingessential.com will continue tracking lake effect rain and snow showers across northwest Indiana, including Valparaiso, Gary, Michigan City and La Porte, and will provide updates as temperatures, road conditions and snow showers develop into Friday morning.

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