City of Bloomington provides update on winter weather and tips to help deal with frigid, snowy conditions
By Staff Writer | Published on December 12, 2025
BLOOMINGTON- The current forecast suggests Saturday, December 13 may bring another 2-4 inches of snow, depending on where the storm decides to travel. Then comes the cold. An Arctic outbreak is expected this weekend, bringing single-digit lows and sub-zero wind chills.
The National Weather Service’s latest Decision Support Service Packet can always be found at weather.gov/media/ind/DssPacket.pdf.
Your winter checklist
- Stay in the loop. Sign up for emergency alerts through the Monroe County Alert Program. City services can be reached at bloomington.in.gov/services.
- Shelter, food & essentials. Residents can use Indiana 211 to locate nearby shelters, food assistance, and other resources during severe weather.
- Check on your neighbors. Bloomington’s kindness is unmatched—reach out to those who might need extra support during the storm.
- If you don’t have to drive… don’t. This is an excellent time to rediscover your couch. If you absolutely must drive, follow these AAA safety tips.
- Get prepped and prepared. Charge your devices, stock up on essentials, and have flashlights handy.
- Be a hydrant hero. Clear a 3-foot perimeter around nearby fire hydrants to help firefighters save time in an emergency.
- Avoid frozen pipes. Locate your property’s water shut-off valve beforehand and learn how to use it. A little preparation can save you from big headaches later.
- Is it a snow day for you? Decisions about whether you report to work are made by your employer, not the City. We share road conditions and advisories, while Monroe County sets official travel restrictions, including Travel Watches and Warnings.
What comes next
The City keeps roads clear and essential services running by pretreating streets ahead of storms, plowing priority routes first, then moving into neighborhoods and City-maintained walkways.
- City crews begin with major corridors. During snow events, Street & Fleet teams work 24/7. Main routes and emergency corridors get cleared first. Neighborhoods follow.
- Snowfall is nature’s work. Clearing sidewalks is yours. Residents and business owners are responsible for clearing any sidewalk that borders their property within 24 hours after snow stops falling.
- If sidewalks aren’t cleared in 24 hours, you may get a citation. We’d rather not! But accessibility and safety matter. We encourage everyone to clear sidewalks as required by City code; after 24 hours, enforcement may begin.
- Make a snow plan before flakes fall. Traveling? Out for the weekend? Arrange help ahead of time or tap into Snow Buddies if you’re unable to shovel—or want to help a neighbor who can’t.
- A quick note about snow plows. Sometimes they redecorate a freshly cleared sidewalk without asking. If it happens, please give the area another quick pass to keep the path safe and usable.