Heavy Snow — La Porte, Indiana

2004-12-19 · La Porte, Indiana

Event narrative

The largest lake effect snowstorm in several years hit portions of northwestern Indiana. Winds off Lake Michigan started out of the northwest, with the band of snow extending into northern parts of St. Joseph county, where 8 inches of snow was reported at the South Bend Regional Airport. The snow band quickly shifted westward as winds become more northerly, allowing for a single intense band to develop across the length of Lake Michigan. This band became stationary over far western Laporte county for much of Sunday and Sunday evening. Snowfall rates in the center of the band were 2 to 3 inches an hour. A total snowfall of 26 inches was reported in Michigan City where portions of I-94 and the Indiana Toll Road were impassable for several hours. Amounts quickly tapered heading east across the county. Other storm totals were Westville 20", Wanatah 12" and Laporte 9.5". One death was reported in Michigan city in Laporte county, when a 67 year old gentleman was found unconcious by family on his porch and subsequently died. He had been shoveling snow from the storm at his residence.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5430836. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.