Putnam under travel advisory; All schools closed Monday

As snow continues to pile up across Central Indiana, Putnam County was placed under a travel advisory shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday.

Additionally, all schools in the county -- Area 30 Career Center, Cloverdale, Greencastle, North Putnam and South Putnam -- are closed Monday. Cloverdale, Greencastle and North Putnam will operate under an e-learning day.

The lowest level of local travel alert, a travel advisory means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas.

A winter weather advisory has been in effect for Putnam County from late Sunday afternoon, set to continue through 7 a.m. Tuesday. According to the National Weather Service, 4 to 7 inches of snow accumulation is expected by Tuesday morning, though a substantial portion of those estimates had already fallen in the first few hours of the winter storm.

The National Weather Service indicated that motorists should plan on slippery and snow covered road conditions. The hazardous conditions will likely impact the Monday morning and evening commutes.

Snow still looks to be the primary precipitation type across much of the area, the NWS noted, but areas of freezing rain or drizzle were likely to mix in late Sunday along and south of Interstate 70.

In addition, locally heavy bands of snow are likely Sunday evening, with snowfall rates approaching or exceeding one inch per hour at times. Be prepared for winter driving conditions Sunday through Tuesday morning and stay aware of the latest forecast for updated information.

Among Putnam's immediate surrounding counties, Clay, Montgomery and Hendricks are also under advisories, while Owen County has enacted a travel watch, which means that conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. Only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended under a Watch.

As of 11 p.m., 24 counties across the state -- all but one in Central or Southern Indiana -- had enacted travel advisories. Meanwhile, Owen and Monroe counties had instituted watches.

For the latest on county travel statuses, visit https://www.in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory/