County under winter weather watch

8:14 p.m.: IU spokesman Mark Land said all University campuses including IU Bloomington and IUPUI will close at 9 p.m. and remain closed until 9 p.m. Monday.

The National Weather Service is advising Bloomington residents to limit themselves to essential travel only. Snow storms have made for dangerous driving conditions.

As of 5:20 p.m., the NWService upgraded Bloomington’s winter weather travel advisory  to “watch,” adding businesses, schools and government agencies should initiate emergency plans.

The upgrade comes after the NWS updated its winter weather warning for Monroe County around 3 p.m. Sunday.

According to the NWS, snowfall could exceed 6 inches, with some areas receiving as much as 12 inches. Wind chill could drop to below 25 degrees.

As of 5:30 p.m., Duke Energy reported 1,068 power outages in Monroe County, located mostly around Indiana Highway 37, northwest of Bloomington.

According to a press release from the City of Bloomington, all non-emergency services and offices will be closed Monday. Parking enforcement will be suspended until 8 a.m. Wednesday, with the exception of handicapped spaces, loading zones and fire lanes.

The winter weather warning is in effect until 1 a.m. Monday.

This story will be updated.

— Gage Bentley