Preparing for bitter blast

SAINT JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- 4 local counties are under a winter storm warning as Michiana and surrounding areas prepare for the wrath of the bitter blast. 

The first hard snowfall of the 2019 winter season is projected to hit Sunday evening, through Monday and into Tuesday.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for LaPorte, Berrien, Saint Joseph and Cass Counties with the other surrounding areas under an advisory. 

Currently, ABC57's First Warning Neighborhood Weather is predicting that the Benton Harbor/Berrien County area to be hit the hardest with 8 to 12 plus inches of snow accumulation. Then, the Saint Joseph County area is estimated to be around 6 to 8 inches as lake effect pushes more snow down toward Knox who can expect 3 to 6 inches. 

The National Weather Service says that on Tuesday we could be seeing some record low temperatures as well.

While in Cass County, in Dowagiac I spoke with Duke McCutty ang Ginger Schoetzow who both work for D&J Handy Services and are preparing for this bitter blast.

They have been gathering all of their supplies and prepping their snow trucks so that they are ready to take on whatever mother nature throws their way.

They have served the Dowagiac area for the past 14 years and are continuing to accumulate more residential and commercial customers.

As they prepare for the roads, they hope that drivers out their drive cautiously, give enough space between them and the cars in front of them, and that they give themselves enough time to get to their destination.