Automobile buried in a pile of snow.	Somewhere here there is pavement.
Michigan & Columbia intersection.	Michigan & Columbia looking north.
Ski Slope? No, it's the Columbia overpass.	Columbia Park now a winter playground.

The first major winter snow storm of the season, packed a wallop and dumped some 10-12 inches of snow, as of noon Saturday. Total snowfall accumulation from the storm is expected to be 15-20 inches. Most citizens shouldn't have been caught off guard or unprepared. Weather forecasters have been predicting this storm since, the begining of this week.

Area police, street and highway officials have urged residents to stay indoors and keep off the roads. Travel is urged only if necessary, and by the looks of the photos above many are heeding the warnings. Most streets and thoroughfares are void of traffic. Here in Hammond, city street crews are doing an admirable job of trying to keep the main streets open. However extreme blowing and drifting snow are hampering their efforts.

Expect this storm to make headlines for days to come. As the snow retreats, more arctic cold is expected in the region. Temperatures are predicted to dip to near zero on Sunday night. Snowfall should end sometime around midnight Saturday, however lake snow squalls are likely as winds continue to howl during the night-time hours. For more current information check out our weather and traffic links below:

Current Local Weather From The Weather Channel
Local Doppler Radar From The Weather Channel
Current Weather Report From ABC News
Current Weather Report From CNN
Current Weather Report From wunderground.com
Local Traffic Information For Indiana
Regional Traffic Information For Illinois

All of the above photos were taken around noon time on Saturday, January, 2nd 1999.

|| Storm Aftermath Special Photo Coverage ||
All photos and graphics © 1999 - - hammondindiana.com

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