The National Weather Service in northern Indiana has issued a winter storm warning for northern Indiana and northwest Ohio from midnight tonight until 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Most of northern Indiana can expect to see 7 to 12 inches of snow, with possible higher amounts across far northern Indiana into southern Michigan.

Near-blizzard conditions are possible by Wednesday with winds 15 mph to 25 mph, gusting to 35 mph. Areas downwind of Lake Michigan are expected to see "significantly high drifts."

Travel is expected to become hazardous late Monday through Wednesday, with increasing northwest winds causing blowing and drifting snow late Tuesday and Wednesday. Some roads in rural areas might become impassable.

Travel is expected to be difficult at the South Bend Airport and on the Indiana and Ohio toll roads, the weather service said.

Counties in the winter storm warning area include:

• Indiana – Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Whitley, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Elkhart, Starke, Pulaski, Marshall, Fulton, White, Cass, Miami, Wells, Grant, Blackford and Jay.
• Ohio – Defiance, Paulding, Van Wert, Williams, Fulton, Henry, Putnam and Allen.
• Michigan – Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch and Hillsdale.

Winter storm tips

Protect yourself:

http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100111/BLOGS01/100119954

Protect your pets:

http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100107/BLOGS22/100109779

Prevent frostbite, hypothermia:

http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091210/BLOGS01/912109962

Driving in winter weather:

http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091208/BLOGS01/912089973

Pack a winter storm travel kit:

http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091208/BLOGS01/912089961