This week, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter weather warning for parts of Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois, warning of the possibility of 6 to 8 inches of snow and up to 40 mile per hour winds.
When the snow rolled in on Wednesday evening, however, it delivered that, and then some, as some stunning videos showed on social media.
Winter Storm Warning
On Wednesday, the NWS issued a winter storm warning for northwest Indiana and southwest Indiana, warning of heavy snow and strong winds in the area.
“There is also a Winter Storm Warning on the downwind side of Michigan for portions of far northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan as travel conditions will be hazardous due to a forecast 6-8 inches of snow with wind gusts to 40 mph,” the National Weather Service said.
Obviously, these conditions were expected to cause some issues for travelers, and the NWS urged travelers to “use caution.”
“Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1,” the Indiana branch of the NWS warned.
Conditions can be especially dangerous near the Great Lakes, where conditions can vary greatly and change rapidly.
“During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from bands of locally heavy snow to dry weather just a few miles away,” the NWS warned. “Visibilities can also vary greatly. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility, and road conditions.”
Before you drive in weather like this, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is ready for these conditions, including your snow tires, even if they appear to have plenty of tread. There are also several important items you should be sure to have in your road safety kit before you hit the road in winter weather conditions.
‘Intense Lake Effect Snow’
When the storm eventually hit the area on Wednesday night, it was even more intense than originally anticipated in some areas. While the NWS warned of 6 to 8 inches and up to 40 mile per hour winds, the storm actually brought more than 10 inches to some areas
As this snowstorm began to hit Michigan on Thursday night, storm chaser Ryan Scholl shared some of the scenes on social media, calling the storm the “most intense lake effect snow conditions I’ve ever seen.”
Most intense lake effect snow conditions I’ve ever seen in Benton Harbor, MI right now… #miwx #wxtwitter pic.twitter.com/YG3ip5ChiE
— Ryan Scholl GBR (16-0) |-/ (@WxScholl) January 15, 2026
Prominent meteorologist Max Velocity added some context to the “blizzard conditions,” sharing that the winds were reaching up to 60 miles per hour.
“THIS IS INSANE! Blizzard conditions are happening on Lake Michigan right now!” he wrote in a post on X. “60 MPH winds and heavy snow are leading to nearly NO visibility!”
Additionally, Scholl measured more than 10 inches of snow just hours into the storm in some areas, and more than a foot of snow in others, with nearly two feet of snow expected in some areas.
Max Velocity reported dozens of cars stuck in “crazy snow” across Indiana and Michigan as he and the Radar Omega team shared videos from the storm.
DOZENS OF CARS have gotten stuck in crazy snow tonight in Indiana and Michigan!
Storm Chaser Connor Croff has been pushing cars out of snowbanks on flat roads, as almost all roads are impassible.@ChasingWConnor @RadarOmega pic.twitter.com/JFAFbkf0ZV
— Max Velocity (@MaxVelocityWX) January 15, 2026
Here is a video of the whiteout conditions mentioned, DO NOT DRIVE IN THIS, STAY INDOORS!@RadarOmega @MaxVelocityWX https://t.co/BGLNnbXWSn pic.twitter.com/nD4pqsuS5E
— CJ Ziegler (@StormChaser_CJ) January 14, 2026
Travel Issues
It should go without saying that such intense winter weather posed some significant problems for travelers. In addition to the whiteout conditions and heavy snow making driving nearly impossible in some areas, the winter storm also caused issues at one of the busiest airports in the United States.
On Wednesday morning, Chicago O’Hare Airport grounded all flights for over two hours as it dealt with the storm, and a ground delay was in effect until the evening. Five different flights were canceled at the airport throughout the day.
Given that the weather in the area got even worse overnight, there’s a chance that more flights could be impacted on Thursday.
If you are traveling out of, into, or through Chicago or anywhere in the Lake Michigan area, it’s important to keep an eye on your flight status to make sure you are up to date on all cancellations and delays.
