According to the Effingham Emergency Management Agency, the snow is expected to end Saturday around 6 p.m. This first snowfall will be a light, fluffy snow around 2”- 4” inches.
The second round of snow is expected around 3 a.m. Sunday, continuing through the day with an additional 4”- 8”inches before tapering off Monday morning. This snow is expected to be slightly wetter or heavier than Saturday’s snow.
Winds are expected to be gusty from 20 to 30 mph throughout the weekend. Expect drifting conditions creating poor visibility at times, with slick, hazardous driving conditions. It is highly recommended to stay off the roadways this weekend.
Dangerous extreme cold will remain all weekend and into next week with wind chills -10 to -15 F.
NOTE: This storm will produce dangerous conditions. Stay alert, be prepared.
These are dangerously cold temperatures. Dress in layers, cover exposed skin, stay hydrated, and limit your time outside to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. If traveling, keep gas tank full, and make sure someone knows your travel plans to do a safety check. Check-in on family, friends, and neighbors, especially if they are ill, elderly, or home-bound. Pets need to be kept inside.
Dangerously cold wind chills
Here is the National Weather Service forecast Saturday morning for Cumberland, Clark, Effingham, Jasper, Crawford, Clay, Richland and Lawrence counties.
DAY ONE…Today and tonight.
Dangerously cold wind chills of 5 below to 15 below zero will persist this morning. Snow will overspread the area this afternoon, and continue through tonight. Several inches of accumulation are forecast.
DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Sunday through Friday.
Snow will continue into Sunday evening. The snow may become heavy at times Sunday morning and afternoon. Storm total accumulations in excess of 10 inches are possible near and south of I-70. North winds gusting up to 30 mph will produce blowing and drifting snow. Plan for hazardous travel conditions into Sunday night.
Sub-zero wind chill values will be common across the area from Sunday through Friday, especially during the overnight and morning hours. Be prepared for an extended period of winter cold.
Extreme weather forecast over weekend
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are warning the public that a winter storm with heavy snow as well as bitterly cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills will have major impacts on Illinois roads this weekend and potentially into next week. Travel is not advised in the areas most affected.
“Our snow and ice teams will be prepared and out in force. But with the extreme weather forecasted, any kind of travel will put you and others at risk, especially during the overnight hours,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “Staying home during any severe weather event always is your safest option. If you must be on the roads, please take precautions because conditions could be life-threatening.”
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the southern half of the state and an extreme cold warning for most of Illinois. Areas south of Effingham and into Southern Illinois and the Metro East could see 8 to 12 inches of snow, starting Saturday morning and into Sunday evening. Totals across central Illinois could reach 8 inches, with as much as 4 inches in Kankakee, Peoria and Macomb. Between 1 and 4 inches are anticipated in the Chicago area, with totals decreasing toward Rockford and the Quad Cities.
Winds reaching 25 mph will create blowing and drifting, reducing visibility and challenging efforts to combat snow and ice. Temperatures will stay below zero degrees across most of Illinois, with wind chill factors between minus 5 and minus 40.
In preparation for this weekend’s weather, IDOT has been pretreating roads and bridges, loading plows with salt and other materials. Crews will be out throughout the weekend and into next week. However, due to subzero temperatures, the effectiveness of salt and materials to treat roads will be substantially diminished, creating slick and slippery conditions at all times. Additionally, blowing and drifting snow will quickly deteriorate conditions on roads that have just been plowed and treated.
“The bitter cold and large snow amounts forecasted this weekend for parts of the state can lead to dangerous driving conditions that could put not only your life at risk, but the lives of troopers and other law enforcement officers, emergency services, tow truck drivers and anyone else on the roads,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “It’s simple: If you don’t have to drive, don’t. If you must go out, give yourself extra time, go slow and have an emergency kit in your vehicle.”
Statewide, IDOT has nearly 1,900 trucks and equipment available to spread salt, plow snow and respond to weather emergencies as needed across more than 45,000 lanes miles. Do not crowd the plows. Give them plenty of room to do their jobs and do not attempt to pass too closely. Conditions in front of the plow are going to be worse than behind it.
If you absolutely have to travel, please drive according to conditions at all times, reducing speed, increasing braking distances and allowing more space between you and other vehicles. Take it especially slow when approaching intersections, ramps, bridges, shaded areas and other locations prone to icing. Check current winter road conditions 24/7 at GettingAroundIllinois.com. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Other tips if you have to travel:
Check the forecast before leaving and make sure someone is aware of your travel route and schedule. Anticipate much longer travel times.
Make sure your windshield is clear of snow and ice.
Fill up your tank or fully charge your vehicle and pack winter weather essentials, such as a cellphone charger, traction materials, warm clothes, blankets, food, water, first-aid kit, washer fluid and ice scraper.
Give them distance. Obey the Move Over law by slowing down and changing lanes when approaching ANY stopped vehicle.
Always wear a seat belt. It’s the law and your best protection in the event of a crash.
Drop it and drive. Put down the mobile devices. This, too, is the law.
If you are involved in a crash, remain inside your vehicle. Exiting it during inclement weather with reduced visibility can have fatal consequences.
If you or someone you know needs a warm place to stay, visit the Illinois Warming Center Dashboard at illinois.gov/services/service.warming-center.html immediately. In Effingham, there are two warming centers: Ron Diehl Center, 1906 S. Fourth St., and Effingham Public Library, 200 North Third St. Comprehensive winter weather guidance is available at Ready.Illinois.gov.