Indiana emergency management officials on Friday kept 14 counties under a Yellow “Advisory” travel status, signaling that drivers may encounter hazardous conditions—particularly on untreated roads—as cold air lingers across much of the state.
The advisory designations are posted through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s (IDHS) county travel status system, which compiles updates from local emergency management agencies.
As of the state’s latest county travel status report issued Friday, the Yellow-level advisory applied to Delaware, Fulton, Jasper, Jennings, LaPorte, Lawrence, Marshall, Miami, Owen, Pulaski, Rush, St. Joseph, Union, and White counties. All remaining counties were listed as having no elevated travel status at the time of the update.
The travel status is not a statewide “ban” on driving, but it is a formal public safety signal to slow down, adjust plans, and prepare for winter hazards that can develop quickly—especially during temperature drops that refreeze moisture on pavement.
What the Yellow Advisory Means—and Who Decides It
IDHS describes the Yellow designation as the lowest level of local travel advisory, but it is still intended to influence behavior. In guidance accompanying the county travel status report, IDHS notes that an advisory means “routine travel or activities may be restricted … and individuals should use caution or avoid affected areas.”
The system is county-driven. Each county’s emergency management agency sets its local status based on roadway conditions, forecasts, and input from public safety partners, and then notifies the state so the map and downloadable report can be updated.
For residents trying to interpret what “Yellow” means in practical terms: it typically corresponds to snow- or ice-covered secondary roads, slick bridges and overpasses, patchy blowing snow, or refreezing, where conditions can vary widely within a county. In some cases, counties maintain an advisory until road conditions stabilize or an updated assessment is submitted, which is why timestamps on the state report can differ by county.
Weather Factors Driving the Advisory: Cold, Wind, and Residual Snow Showers
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis warned early Friday that cold conditions could continue to produce slick spots even with limited new accumulation. In its Hazardous Weather Outlook, the agency stated: “Subfreezing…
Read full article: Indiana Places 14 Counties Under Yellow-Level Travel Advisory
The post “Indiana Places 14 Counties Under Yellow-Level Travel Advisory” by Maria Valencia was published on 12/19/2025 by www.travelinglifestyle.net