I-94 and Toll Road wind and whiteouts
Lake-effect bands come ashore right where the Toll Road and I-94 cross La Porte County. Here's what snow squall warnings and Toll Road wind bans mean, and what to do.
Lake-effect whiteouts
The Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90) and I-94 both cross La Porte County close to Lake Michigan, right where lake-effect bands come ashore. A band can take a highway from dry pavement to a whiteout in a mile. On Jan. 20, 2024, Indiana State Police urged drivers to stay off eastbound I-94 in La Porte County during a band that dropped 2 to 3 inches an hour, and on Jan. 15, 2026, the Weather Service reported multi-vehicle crashes on the Toll Road during lake-effect snow.
For the worst bursts, the Weather Service issues a Snow Squall Warning: heavy snow (up to 2 inches in 30 minutes), wind of 30 mph or more, and visibility under a quarter mile. The most dangerous ones alert your phone.
If a squall is coming
- Delay your trip until it passes, or get off at the next exit if you're already driving.
- Don't slam on the brakes. Turn on your headlights and hazard lights, stay in your lane, and leave more room ahead.
- If you're caught near a pileup, the Weather Service says to drive slowly forward to the front of it if you can, and not to stand outside your vehicle on or near the road.
Toll Road wind and winter bans
When strong wind is forecast, the Indiana Toll Road bans some high-profile trucks. For gusts forecast at 50 to 60 mph on March 13, 2026, the ban covered triple tractor-trailers, high-profile long doubles and high-profile oversize permit loads from the Illinois line east to Exit 72 (South Bend West). It also issues bans for certain vehicles ahead of winter storms, as it did on Jan. 14, 2026.
Watch the time zone. Toll Road announcements often give Eastern Time. That March ban ran 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, which was 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. in La Porte County.
Before you go
Check INDOT TrafficWise (511in.org) for road conditions, closures and cameras, our Emergency view for La Porte County alerts and traffic cameras, and the radar for where the bands are right now.
Questions
What is a snow squall warning?
A short-fused National Weather Service warning for a brief burst of heavy snow, strong wind and whiteouts, like a tornado warning for winter driving. The most dangerous ones alert phones.
Does the Indiana Toll Road close for wind?
It bans some high-profile trucks when strong gusts are forecast; in March 2026, that was triples, high-profile long doubles and oversize loads from the Illinois line to Exit 72. Cars aren't banned, but crosswinds still matter.
Where can I check I-94 and Toll Road conditions?
INDOT TrafficWise at 511in.org has conditions, closures and cameras; our Emergency view has La Porte County alerts and traffic cameras.
Why do Toll Road notices use a different time?
Announcements often give Eastern Time. La Porte County is on Central Time, an hour earlier.
Sources: NWS: snow squall FAQ · ABC7 Chicago: La Porte County snow totals, Jan. 20, 2024 · NWS Northern Indiana: Jan. 14-15, 2026 lake-effect snow · WNDU: Indiana Toll Road wind ban (March 2026) · WNDU: Indiana Toll Road winter weather ban (Jan. 2026) · INDOT TrafficWise (511)