The winter storm monster from the West? Indianapolis can breathe easier, forecaster says

Be thankful that we don't live in Nebraska or Iowa.

While those Upper Midwestern states could get hit with 6 to 12 inches of snow by Wednesday from a storm moving in from the west, that won't be the case for Indianapolis weather, a local meteorologist says.

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Indianapolis weather:Winter storm leaves slick roads in Central Indiana

Indiana will likely see 1 to 3 inches of snow, starting late Tuesday night and continuing into Wednesday morning, Andrew White of the National Weather Service in Indianapolis said.

"Snow will be moving in from 9 to 11 p.m. in the Indianapolis area," White said. "It will be mostly snow and freezing rain mixed."

More than 200 million Americans could be affected by the winter storm as it rumbles into 39 states.

The upper low-pressure system that originated in California and the Pacific Northwest is expected to bring heavy snow, ice and dangerous travel to the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Mid Atlantic and Northeast Tuesday through Thursday, the National Weather Service said.

Severe rounds of torrential rain and severe thunderstorms are expected Tuesday and Wednesday in the South, especially northern Mississippi, northern Alabama and Tennessee.

Road conditions in Indianapolis

But back in Central Indiana, the forecast is much milder.

There is a possibility of sleet Wednesday morning around sunrise with a light glaze, which could cause slippery road conditions, according to a winter weather advisory for the Indianapolis area.

But that will turn to "mostly rain" during Wednesday's morning commute, White said, and temperatures will rise from the low 30s into the low 40s by midafternoon.

"We're expecting that most of the snowfall will melt by the afternoon," he said, adding that there could, however, be a "slushy mess" in some areas.

Rain could be a problem for some areas just south of our region, White said. Southern Indiana counties along the Ohio River can expect an inch of rain Wednesday with northern Kentucky counties seeing up to 2 inches.

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Mild weather for week

While much of the northern part of the country is recovering from the effects of the snowfall and freezing rain and ice, Indiana could be enjoying temperatures in the low- to mid-40s on Thursday and Friday, which will rise even higher into the low- to mid-50s on the weekend.

And the best news: That warmer weather pattern will continue into next week, White said.

"We're looking at fairly nice weather," he said. "Overall, temperatures will be much more pleasant than we've been experiencing lately."

Call IndyStar digital producer Dwight Adams at 317-444-6532. Follow him on Twitter: @hdwightadams.