After system snow moved through Michiana early Friday morning, a long band of lake effect snow running north to south along Lake Michigan developed around 7 a.m. ET. 

Radar image of lake effect snow. The band took on a snake-like appearance due to mesoscale vortices most likely formed from the strong winds and the thermal gradient between the cold upper air and the warmer lake waters.

The lake effect snow remained concentrated over LaPorte county for the first half of Friday, resulting in just under three feet of snow observed in Michigan City and generally decreasing values further inland. 

LaPorte County snowfall totals National Weather Service - IWX

During the middle of the day on Friday, the Indiana Toll Road announced a "Winter Weather Ban" from the Illinois state line to St. Joseph (IN) county.

Travel was extremely hazardous in LaPorte County with numerous accidents, lane closures, and cars/semi-trucks that had been run off the road by snowfall. 

At some points, Michigan City Municipal Airport and other observation sites close by reported visibility less than a quarter mile in total for consecutive hours.

Travel impacts and visibility issues continued into Saturday, with many reporting near whiteout conditions and slick surfaces that forced drivers to slow down.

While the worst of the lake effect snow is now over, some areas of Michiana will continue to receive snow for the first half of Saturday night. 

The last of the current lake effect will be eliminated by building high pressure on Sunday.