Updated: Winter storm to bring 8-11 inches to area

Updated: 7 p.m. Sunday.

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a winter storm warning for our area, with the possibility of 8 to 11 inches of snow.

That warning starts at 7 p.m. Sunday night and lasts through 7 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Locally, the affected area includes Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson and Shelby counties as well as the cities of Brownstown, Columbus, Greensburg, Greenwood, Franklin, Seymour, Shelbyville and North Vernon.

Heavy snow is anticipated and travel will be very difficult. Snowfall tonight is expected to amount to around 2 inches with the heaviest snow falling from 4 Monday afternoon through the night. Snowfall rates in excess of an inch an hour at times are possible with locally heavier periods. Blowing snow will lead to higher drifts of snow.

The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday evening commute. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

The Indiana Department of Transportation Southeast District has issued a full call-out of plow trucks ahead of the storm.

Plow drivers will begin reporting between 6 and 11 p.m. Sunday evening to start monitoring and treating state roads. Shift changes will take place at midnight and noon until roadways improve.

Truck totals for the southeastern district:

• Bloomington Sub District: 28 trucks (full call-out)
• Columbus Sub District: 29 trucks (full call-out)
• Madison Sub District: 30 trucks (full call-out)
• Aurora Sub District: 28 trucks (full call-out)
• Falls City Sub District: 24 trucks (full call-out)

The Columbus Transit Department is announcing that the ColumBUS system will shut down at 1 p.m. Monday and the last full run will be at noon. On Tuesday, February 16, there will be no bus service. The city will make decisions about the schedule later in the week based on weather projections at that time. City officials say safety for riders and staff is their priority.