KOSCIUSKO COUNTY —  Kosciusko County is included in a hazardous weather outlook issued by the National Weather Service for this weekend. A few degrees can mean the difference between rain or snow, so freezing rain and ice can be difficult for forecasters to pinpoint far in advance.

A wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is possible tonight through Saturday morning, mainly south of US 30. Ice accumulation is possible. Lows in the mid-20s, Saturday high of 32.

Sunday is predicted to be partly sunny with a high of 35. The wintry mix is possible again Sunday night into Monday morning through the entire Kosciusko area. Again, ice accumulation is possible. Sunday lows fall just below the freezing point at 29 degrees. Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, will be overcast and rainy with a predicted high of 43.

According to INDOT, freezing rain and ice are the most dangerous of all winter road conditions, affecting all vehicle sizes and types, including those with four-wheel drive and INDOT’s own salt trucks. In these types of conditions, motorists are strongly encouraged to stay off the roads to allow access for salt trucks and emergency vehicles.

INDOT provides several steps that drivers can take to minimize the risk of losing control on icy roads:

• Consult hourly weather forecasts and schedule high-speed and long-distance trips during the warmer hours of the day. This will help save the extra time needed to slow down and drive according to the conditions.
• Monitor current air temperatures and slow down if conditions are near or below freezing. Watch how salt trucks, emergency vehicles and other drivers are responding to the weather.
• Apply anti-lock brakes firmly when encountering ice. Pump brakes that are not anti-lock. Do not overcorrect with steering.

Through Saturday there is also an effective flood warning for the Eel River area in North Manchester. The incoming system coupled with rainy conditions throughout this week may create flooding issues statewide. If you encounter a road that’s flooded, never drive through. Floodwaters can hide a washed out roadway or cause your vehicle to float and be carried into deeper waters.