A brief, intense snowstorm struck the Indianapolis area on the 3rd. The rapidly intensifying storm dumped approximately 2 to 4 inches of snow in about an hour during the morning. Snowfall of 2 inches from 0700 to 0800 EST and a storm total of 3.8 inches by 1100 at the Indianapolis National Weather Service office had significant traffic impact during and after morning commute. Two multi-vehicle accidents occurred on Interstate 69 just northeast of Indianapolis, resulting in road closure, 3 deaths and numerous injuries. The number of injuries is unclear.
The first accident was a ten-car pile-up at mile marker 8.5 at approximately 0950 EST near Fishers, IN and the second accident was a 50-car pile-up at mile marker 19 at approximately 1030 EST near Pendleton, IN. The number of vehicles involved is a rough estimate due to varying reports.

Winter Weather in MARION, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 06:47:00 to 03-FEB-09 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Two inches of snow was measured at the Indianapolis International Airport. Along with snow from previous days, the total on the ground was 8 inches.

Winter Weather in MADISON, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 07:00:00 to 03-FEB-09 10:15:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A 50-car pile-up at mile marker 19 occurred at approximately 1030 EST near Pendleton, IN. The number of overall injuries is unclear due to sketchy information and multiple crashes occurring on the same road in two different counties.

Winter Weather in CLINTON, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 07:00:00 to 03-FEB-09 13:34:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A measurement of 2.5 inches of snow was reported in Frankfort, IN.

Winter Weather in HAMILTON, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 07:00:00 to 03-FEB-09 10:15:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A ten-car pile-up at mile marker 8.5 occurred at approximately 0950 EST near Fishers, IN. Extremely low visibility (less than 50 yards according to an eyewitness), slick roads, and drivers going too fast for the conditions were cited as causes. Two died in a semi-trailer on their way to a worksite. A third was critically injured and later died at the hospital. The number of overall injuries is unclear due to sketchy information and multiple crashes occurring on the same road in two different counties.

Winter Weather in MARION, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 06:47:00 to 03-FEB-09 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

A storm total of 3.8 inches of snow was recorded at the Indianapolis International Airport. Combined with snowfall from previous days, a grand total of 10 inches of snow was on the ground.

Winter Weather in HENDRICKS, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 06:50:00 to 03-FEB-09 15:22:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A measured storm total of 3.6 inches was reported 2 miles southeast of Brownsburg, IN. Combined with previous snowfall from other storms, a total depth of 7 inches was on the ground. Moderate blowing and drifting of snow was also observed.

Winter Weather in MARION, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 06:47:00 to 03-FEB-09 11:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A 6-hour snowfall totaled 3.6 inches.

Winter Weather in MONROE, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 07:00:00 to 03-FEB-09 11:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

An estimated storm total of 3 inches of snow was recorded. Drifting was reported over the roads.

Winter Weather in VIGO, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 06:30:00 to 03-FEB-09 11:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

An estimated 1 inch of snow fell 2 miles south of Terre Haute with drifting on roadways.

Winter Weather in HENRY, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 07:30:00 to 03-FEB-09 11:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

An estimated 2.5 inches of snow fell in New Castle, IN.

Winter Weather in JACKSON, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 07:00:00 to 03-FEB-09 11:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

An estimated 3 inches of snow fell in Seymour, IN.

Winter Weather in PUTNAM, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 06:40:00 to 03-FEB-09 11:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

An estimated 2 inches of snow and drifting snow was reported 5 miles south of Greencastle, IN.

Winter Weather in TIPPECANOE, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 06:40:00 to 03-FEB-09 11:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

An estimated 2 inches of snow fell in Lafayette, IN. Drifting snow was observed on roadways.

Winter Weather in MARION, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 06:47:00 to 03-FEB-09 11:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A measurement of 3.5 inches of snow was reported.

Winter Weather in HENDRICKS, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 07:00:00 to 03-FEB-09 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A measurement of 2.8 inches of snow was recorded by a trained spotter at County Road 900 East and 200 South, or 1.7 miles south of the Avon rail yard.

Winter Weather in MARION, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 06:47:00 to 03-FEB-09 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

A storm total of 3.2 inches was recorded at the Indianapolis International Airport.

Winter Weather in HAMILTON, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 07:00:00 to 03-FEB-09 09:10:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A total of 1.5 inches of snow was reported in Carmel, IN.

Winter Weather in MARION, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 06:47:00 to 03-FEB-09 09:52:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

A storm total measurement of 3.7 inches of snow was reported. Combined with snowfall from previous days, a grand total of 10 inches of snow was on the ground.

Winter Weather in HENDRICKS, INDIANA
From 03-FEB-09 07:00:00 to 03-FEB-09 10:15:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A storm total of 3.8 inches of snow was reported at County Road 900 East and 200 South, or 1.7 miles south of the Avon rail yard.