A snow storm of historic proportions affected central Indiana on 22-23 December 2004.  Unusual in that the first round of heavy snow was not directly associated with the passage of a surface cyclone, but rather an area of strong forcing well ahead of the main area of low pressure, the storm nonetheless produced snow totals rivaling and exceeding those of the legendary Blizzard of January 1978 in some areas, crippling much of mainly southern portions of central Indiana, in some cases for several days. Fortunately for those affected, however, blizzard conditions were not produced thanks to winds much weaker than those accompanying the 1978 storm.The snow storm began during the very early morning hours of the 22nd, and continued through the day in south central Indiana.  By that evening heavy snow of 4 to nearly 10 inches had fallen, generally south of Interstate 70.  The greatest totals were in southern Indiana where approximately 10 inches had fallen.There was a sharp cutoff for this heavy snow.  Much of the state north of I-70 did not see any snow.  In the Indianapolis area, the Carmel and Brownsburg areas received no snow while the Greenwood area measured 4 inches.  During the evening of the 22nd, the second band of snow moved in as the surface low passed to the southeast of the state, blanketing all of central and southern Indiana.  Thundersnow was reported in several areas across central Indiana.  Snow of 4 to more than 18 inches fell from this next storm system.  Once again the heaviest snow fell in southern Indiana.  This brought the accumulation in much of southern Indiana to more than 20 inches with some spots reporting more than 30 inches of total snow by the afternoon of the 23rd.  Such snowfall amounts are historic not only in southern Indiana but for the entire state.Snowfall in northwestern portions of central Indiana was heavy at times, approaching 3 to 5 inches in Warren, Tippecanoe, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Vermillion, and Parke Counties.This epic snow storm closed I-64, I-65, I-74 and crippled I-70 in Indiana.  This stranded hundreds of motorists in their vehicles for hours and some for a few days.  A train derailment and collision also occurred in southern Indiana as a result of the snow. One hundred National Guardsmen were called out in some areas, especially in those areas where motorists were stranded.  Two blackhawk helicopters and 47 humvees were used in searching for stranded motorists.  Statewide, 200 property damage auto accidents were reported, along with 1,000 slide-offs, according to the Indianapolis Star. Several rescues were necessary. Snow drifts of up to 4 feet occurred in much of southern Indiana.  Damage estimates were found in local newspaper reports.

Heavy Snow in DELAWARE, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 21:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 15:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in RANDOLPH, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 21:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 15:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 100K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

A grocery store roof collapsed in Union City.

Heavy Snow in KNOX, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 00:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 07:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

13 inches of snow reported.

Heavy Snow in DAVIESS, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 00:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 07:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in MARTIN, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 00:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 07:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in VIGO, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 06:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 10:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

7.2 inches of snow reported.

Heavy Snow in CLAY, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 06:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 10:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in PUTNAM, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 12:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Up to 9.8 inches of snow reported.

Heavy Snow in HENDRICKS, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 12:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

6 to 9 inches of snow reported.

Heavy Snow in MARION, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 12:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

10.1 inches of storm total accumulation.

Heavy Snow in HANCOCK, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 12:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

9.5 inches of snow reported.

Heavy Snow in HENRY, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 12:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

13 inches of snow reported.

Heavy Snow in MONTGOMERY, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 21:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 14:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in BARTHOLOMEW, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 01:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 08:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 50K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Barns collapsed, killing livestock in some instances.

Heavy Snow in DECATUR, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 01:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 08:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

24.5 inches of snow reported.

Heavy Snow in OWEN, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 04:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 10:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

14 inches of snow reported.

Heavy Snow in MORGAN, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 04:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 10:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Up to 12.7 inches of snow reported.

Heavy Snow in JOHNSON, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 04:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 10:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 50K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Up to 14 inches of snow reported.  A barn collapsed on several recreational boats at a marina in Prince's Lakes.

Heavy Snow in SHELBY, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 04:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 10:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 50K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Two roof collapses reported.

Heavy Snow in RUSH, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 04:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 10:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 200K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Several roof collapses were reported, including that of a building on the Rush County Fairgrounds.

Heavy Snow in JENNINGS, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 00:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 07:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 1M
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Several business roofs, barns, and a building housing the Rolling Hills Shrine Club collapsed under the weight of heavy snow.

Heavy Snow in SULLIVAN, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 01:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 08:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

9.5 inches of snow reported.

Heavy Snow in GREENE, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 01:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 08:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 35.2K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in MONROE, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 01:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 08:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 1.3M
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Massive damage occurred when the roof of a marina and some docks collapsed.

Heavy Snow in BROWN, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 01:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 08:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in TIPTON, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 22:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 15:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

A plow driver for the Indiana Department of Transportation was struck by a vehicle as he went to check on the driver of another vehicle that had struck his plow moments before.  The accident left the plow driver in critical condition.

Heavy Snow in HOWARD, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 22:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 15:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Snow in BOONE, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 21:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 14:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

6 inches of snow reported.

Heavy Snow in HAMILTON, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 21:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 14:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

9 inches of snow reported.

Heavy Snow in MADISON, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 21:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 14:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

10 inches of snow reported.  Two people were seriously injured when their truck slid into the path of an oncoming train north of Summitville.

Heavy Snow in LAWRENCE, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 00:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 07:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 200K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

17.5 inches of snow reported. Several garage roofs, in addition to those of some businesses and barns, collapsed under the weight of snow.

Heavy Snow in JACKSON, INDIANA
From 22-DEC-04 00:00:00 to 23-DEC-04 07:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 50K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Up to 29 inches of snow reported in Jackson County.  Several barns collapsed, killing livestock in some instances.