Winter weather hits Indiana as temperatures plummet. See the latest storm updates

Strong wind gusts will continue Saturday morning with gusts up to 50 mph over northern Central Indiana, with many areas seeing wind chill advisories until Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. This accompanied by light snow could produce brief periods of low visibility along with isolated slick spots to be mindful of if you have to leave your home this weekend.

While snow is expected, the high winds and plummeting temperatures that started Friday are what meteorologists say to watch out for the most.

The amount of snow that could come with this system remained unknown as of Friday morning, but the NWS Indianapolis office shared the most likely outcome is 1-2 inches for most areas north and west of the I-70 corridor.

NWS has been monitoring this system since late last week and will continue to update forecasts throughout the weekend, so be sure to check back here for updates to be best prepared for winter weather.

Stay warm: Find warming center hours and locations as cold temps, snow likely in Central Indiana

Current forecast for Saturday

Weather

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Indianapolis weather radar

Saturday: There is a wind chill advisory in Indianapolis until 12 p.m. that will resume again Saturday night from 7 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.

A chance of snow showers or flurries before 1 p.m., then a slight chance of snow showers between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Cloudy, with a temperature high near 22 degrees. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 18 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%.

On Saturday night, there is a chance of snow showers before 1 a.m., then a chance of flurries with a slight chance of snow showers until 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature low around -1. Wind chill values as low as -16. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny and cold, with a high near 8 degrees. Wind chill values as low as -23. West wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Sunday night there is a chance of flurries. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature low around 6 degrees. Wind chill values as low as -9. West wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Evansville weather radar

Saturday: Evansville will be mostly cloudy, with a temperature high near 31 degrees. West wind 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Saturday night, there will be a 20% chance of snow before midnight. It will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 4 degrees. Wind chill values as low as -10. West northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. A wind chill advisory will take effect at midnight until 12 p.m. on Sunday.

Sunday: It should be partly sunny, with a high near 11 degrees. Wind chill values as low as -14. West wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

There is a 40% chance of snow on Sunday night and it'll be cloudy with a temperature low around 9 degrees with a wind chill as low as -1. Northwest wind around 6 mph.

Fort Wayne weather radar

Saturday: Fort Wayne is under a winter weather advisory until 7 p.m. on Saturday and then a wind chill advisory will take effect at midnight until 1 p.m. on Sunday.

A chance of snow before 4 p.m. can be expected Saturday then a slight chance of snow after 5 p.m. It should be patchy blowing snow after 3 p.m. Expect to see cloudy skies, with a temperature high near 27 degrees. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

On Saturday night, snow showers likely, mainly before 2 a.m. Patchy blowing snow after 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 0 degrees. Wind chill values as low as -15. West wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday: We could see more patchy blowing snow before 11 a.m. It'll be partly sunny and cold, with a temperature high near 3 degrees. Wind chill values as low as -20. West wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Sunday night it'll be mostly cloudy, with a temperature low around -2 degrees. Wind chill values as low as -15. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

South Bend weather radar

Saturday: South Bend is under a winter storm warning until 7 p.m. on Saturday. A wind chill advisory will take effect at midnight and be in effect until 1 p.m. Sunday.

Expect snow on Saturday in South Bend. Areas of blowing snow. The temperature high will be near 29 degrees. West wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Snow is likely before 10 p.m., then snow showers, mainly between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. with patchy blowing snow shortly afterward. Temperature low around -1 degree. Wind chill values as low as -20. West wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Sunday: There's a 40% chance of snow showers, mainly after 11 a.m. on Sunday. It'll be mostly cloudy and cold, with a temperature high near 1 degree. Wind chill values as low as -20. West wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Sunday night there is a 20% chance of snow, mainly before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -5. Wind chill values as low as -25. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Winter driving tips: Indiana has snow in the forecast. Here's how to drive with common sense in icy weather

Bundle up if you have to go out. Frostbite and hypothermia possible.

In a Tweet shared Saturday afternoon, NWS warns about the risks of frostbite and hypothermia and reminds residents to make sure all skin is covered when heading outside this weekend, with as many layers as possible.

What to know about frostbite

"Frostbite can happen in minutes, especially on the extremities such as fingers, toes, nose and ears, but can affect any area of exposed skin," the NWS website said.

Redness or pain in any skin area may be the first sign of frostbite, according to the CDC.

Other signs include:

• a white or grayish-yellow skin area

• skin that feels unusually firm or waxy

• numbness

If you suspect frostbite, immediately move inside to a heated location and begin warming the affected areas using warm water or body heat, but do not use hot water or radiant heat like a fireplace. The affected areas can be easily burned.

Seek medical attention for severe frostbite.

What to know about hypothermia

"When your body temperature sinks below 95°F, you have hypothermia, a serious health hazard that occurs when body temperature is lowered too much," NWS said.

If you are trying to help someone who may have hypothermia, first call an ambulance as they need immediate medical attention.

If you can move them to a warmer location, do so. Then lie close to the person and cover both of you with thick blankets. The hotter you get, the more warmth you can give the other person.

It is important to begin warming the center of the body first. Don't rub the person or handle them roughly. If the person is unconscious, administer CPR.

Tips to preventing hypothermia:

• Dress in layers.

• Wrap up well when going outside in the cold.

• Avoid breezes and drafts indoors.

• Eat nutritious food and wear warm clothes to ward off winter chill.

• Wear a warm hat in the winter.

• Eat hot foods and drink warm drinks several times during the day.

• If you live alone, ask a family member or neighbor to check on you daily or have a camera installed that a family member can view on their computer.

• Ask your doctor if any medicine you're taking increases your risk of hypothermia. Drugs that may cause a problem include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, chlorpromazine, reserpine, and tricyclic antidepressants.

"If your temperature is 95°F or less, you feel cold and sluggish, or you are having trouble thinking clearly, see a doctor immediately or go to the nearest emergency room," NWS said. "It's better to be overly cautious than to die of a disorder that doesn't have to be deadly."

You can check their "During Extremely Cold Weather" page for more information.

If you need someplace to go to escape the cold, there are warming centers around Indy and you can find more information about them here.

Get your winter preparedness kits ready

While the severity of the storm is unknown, it is important to make sure you are prepared. Meteorologist Greg Melo recommends having a preparedness kit in your car and home and layer up if you need to go outside.

"Make sure you have any kind of preparedness kits that you need in your house to stay warm and if you have to go outside to make sure you're bundled up," Melo said.

NWS has a Winter Preparedness Checklist on its website with recommendations for what to include in your kits should you need them.

How to stay warm when the power is out

If you happen to lose power during the cold weather, NWS shared some tips on how to stay warm without electricity.

• Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing as well as hats, mittens, and blankets.

• Close blinds or curtains to keep in some heat.

• Close off rooms to avoid wasting heat.

• Place towels or rags in cracks under doors.

• Practice portable generator safety: use outdoors, at least 20 feet away from doors/windows/garages to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Follow instructions on proper use.

• Once your family is safe, check on your neighbors and the vulnerable to make sure they are okay.

Be mindful that black ice is possible in these conditions

In their winter storm brief released on Friday, NWS reminds the public to be mindful of black ice.

"Any lingering moisture on roads could freeze tonight into Saturday morning resulting in black ice," the brief read.

• Black ice can form on any road, but also along curbs and drainage areas due to melting snow.

• More prevalent at night, but can still be around in the morning.

• Use caution driving during freezing temperatures after rain or snowmelt.

Indianapolis residents can follow the Indy Department of Public Works on X, formerly known as Twitter, for updates about snow removal.

Indy Department of Public Works also manages Indy Snow Force, their winter weather operations team, with an online map showing what roads have been plowed already in the city.

The Indy Snow Force road map can be found online at maps.indy.gov/IndySnowForceViewer. You can also follow them on X, @IndySnowForce.

John Tufts and Sarah Neslon contributed to this report.

Katie Wiseman is a trending and breaking news intern at IndyStar. Contact her at klwiseman@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @itskatiewiseman.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana winter storm: Forecast updates as snow, bitter cold hits