Illinois Public Media News is monitoring a winter storm that the National Weather Service in Central Illinois expects to bring rain, icy conditions, and possible snow to East Central Illinois. We will update this post with the latest forecast information.
Updated Thursday at 8:30 p.m.
The snow is starting to come to an end, according to Meteorologist Andrew Pritchard. Meanwhile, travel conditions continue to be treacherous, especially along the interstates. The Illinois State Police says I-39 from Normal to Minonk will be closed for 12 hours due to multiple crashes involving over 100 vehicles.
🚨 I-39 from Normal to Minonk will be closed for approx. 12 hours due to multiple crashes involving over 100 vehicles. 🚨
Together, with our local partners, we are diligently working to ensure motorists are safely escorted from the area to warming centers. #IllinoisTraffic pic.twitter.com/FPUPlmipVm
— IllinoisStatePolice (@ILStatePolice) February 18, 2022
The last of the snow is pulling away from Champaign-Urbana/central Illinois. I didn’t measure but it felt like I shoveled 3 or 4 inches from the driveway in Urbana.
KILX – Precipitation Depiction 7:29 PM #ilwx pic.twitter.com/BPmJESVCa8
— Andrew Pritchard (@skydrama) February 18, 2022
The snow is tapering off in the western half of the state but still falling roughly east of Interstate 55. Blowing snow will be a major concern the rest of the night before winds become less gusty after midnight.
Road conditions: https://t.co/3vgPqL82JK pic.twitter.com/I6IDMPjUlQ
— IDOT_Illinois (@IDOT_Illinois) February 18, 2022
Updated Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
Major weather-related crashes reported right now by Illinois State Police:
- Traffic is being diverted off of I-74 Eastbound at University Avenue due to multiple accidents.
- I-57 South is closed due to crashes north of the Market Street exit. It will be closed for multiple hours.
- I-39 Southbound at milepost 9, South of El Paso is closed due to a multi-vehicle crash.
Updated Thursday at 5:15 p.m.
Champaign county covered in snow, crews working to clear roads
CHAMPAIGN – Roads are covered in snow and ice throughout Champaign County, from the highways to city streets. Local authorities request that people stay home if they can, because roads are hazardous and slippery. They request that those who must drive, drive slowly and give plows plenty of room.
City of Champaign snow crews have been plowing and salting the main roads since 9 a.m. The city focuses on the main arteries throughout snowstorms and turns to side streets once storms are over. While city crews plan to plow overnight, Champaign County crews are unsure whether they will have to pause. During the last snowstorm, winds were so high in rural areas that the crews could not see other drivers. Champaign County engineer Jeff Blue says he is waiting to see how much snow accumulates by 7 p.m. If the area gets between four and six inches of snow, the county may stop plowing overnight.
The Illinois Department of Transportation is reporting major crashes in the Champaign County area. Champaign County emergency management is warning against travel on I-74 between Mansfield and Champaign because of crashes and hazardous conditions. – Emily Hays, Illinois Newsroom
Updated Thursday at 5:00 p.m.
5 pm — Here's a very preliminary mapping of how much snow has fallen so far. If you have measured the snow in your area, please let us know the location, amount and time of measurement. Many thanks for your help! #ILwx pic.twitter.com/Xy8d53zUEC
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 17, 2022
Snowfall intensity will begin to diminish from west to east this evening, but an additional 1-2" is expected east of I-55, but north of I-70, between 6pm and Midnight. Freezing drizzle and sleet will continue south of I-70 this evening. #cILwx pic.twitter.com/8tNmqS7vaZ
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 17, 2022
Updated Thursday at 3:00 p.m.
Steady snowfall was reported across Champaign-Urbana at this hour. All city buildings in Danville are now closed. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has moved to online classes and essential operations only for the rest of the day.
Heavy snow will continue across central Illinois for the next couple of hours before diminishing this evening. Gusty winds and high snowfall rates have combined to reduce visibility below 1/2 mile across most locations. Travel has become treacherous. #cILwx pic.twitter.com/qlHh4wQDTB
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 17, 2022
Winter storm conditions peaking with heavy snow and high winds in Urbana, #ilwx at 2:30 PM CT pic.twitter.com/wH37gKvWZl
— Andrew Pritchard (@skydrama) February 17, 2022
First 🧊 now ❄️ outside @ILPublicMedia studios on @UofIllinois campus. @NWSLincolnIL @ChambanaWX @skydrama pic.twitter.com/nASDQBLx2a
— Illinois Newsroom (@ILNewsroom) February 17, 2022
Updated Thursday at 2:05 p.m.
Visibility and deteriorating road conditions are starting to become a major problem according to the Illinois Dept. of Transportation.
.@ISPDistrict9 reports that they are dealing with multiple crashes and whiteout conditions along Interstates 55 and 72 in central Illinois. Please slow down and stay off your phones. pic.twitter.com/4mTkRxPw1I
— IDOT_Illinois (@IDOT_Illinois) February 17, 2022
12:30 PM: Wind blown sleet is spreading across Champaign County and roadways are quickly becoming slippery. Noted several branches down in roadways as a result of ice accretion and high winds. pic.twitter.com/MedZZlKtOQ
— Chambana Weather (@ChambanaWX) February 17, 2022
Updated Thursday at 1:05 p.m.
We recorded steady sleet outside the Illinois Public Media studios. The switchover to snow hasn’t happened in Champaign-Urbana yet. But it has in Decatur.
Here is a look at road conditions early this afternoon. Most roads in the area are mostly to completely covered expect areas where rain is still occurring (east & southeast IL). Find the latest updates on road conditions here: https://t.co/v9M3fUDbAZ#ilwx pic.twitter.com/djVn4fw6PB
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 17, 2022
You can 👂 the sleet coming down and 👁 the icy buildup on the trees outside the @ILPublicMedia studios on the @UofIllinois campus. @ChambanaWX @skydrama @NWSLincolnIL pic.twitter.com/mdjhbH94Qm
— Illinois Newsroom (@ILNewsroom) February 17, 2022
Wintry mix is coating trees with ice at @ILPublicMedia on the @UofIllinois campus. #winter #ice @NWSLincolnIL @skydrama @ChambanaWX pic.twitter.com/ht9UPqrN4q
— Illinois Newsroom (@ILNewsroom) February 17, 2022
Updated Thursday at 12:15 p.m.
The weather has started to switch from freezing rain and sleet to snow in parts of Central Illinois. Below is the Illinois Dept. of Transportation road conditions map as of 12:15 p.m.
That escalated quickly, as the fella says.
Pictured here are road conditions via https://t.co/3vgPqL82JK as of 11:50 am, and Interstate 55 on the north edge of Normal and US 24/Illinois 97 in Lewistown. pic.twitter.com/3bBSYCg6IN
— IDOT_Illinois (@IDOT_Illinois) February 17, 2022
Here's a quick look at some webcams in the western portions of our area. Precip has changed to mostly snow west of I-55, and roads are quickly becoming snow-covered in those areas. Between I-72 and I-55, a wintry mix continues. Road conditions will continue to deteriorate. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/h5PlIt51e9
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 17, 2022
10:50 am — Transition zone from mixed precipitation to all snow is roughly along this SW-NE line from Springfield to east of Bloomington. Anything west of it is being reported as snow right now. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/IrGCiCaYzn
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 17, 2022
Updated Thursday at 7:00 a.m.
We will be dealing with wintry weather throughout the day. Meteorologist Andrew Pritchard spoke with Illinois Newsroom’s Reginald Hardwick about what we can expect.
A WINTER STORM WARNING is in effect until 9 PM Thursday evening. Here's a rundown of what to expect…
We're in an early morning lull as we wait for the second part of the event to arrive. Rain and/or freezing rain will resume by mid-morning… pic.twitter.com/jadBuUgYHI— Chambana Weather (@ChambanaWX) February 17, 2022
Updated Thursday at 5:45 a.m.
Wintry precipitation are expected to begin around 9:00 a.m. Heavy snow amounts are being predicted.
⚠️ Thursday Morning Update: There has been a slight southward shift in the expected storm track! The heaviest snow is forecast along a Pittsfield to Bloomington line, with around a tenth of an inch of ice between the I-72 and I-70 corridors and a glaze of ice elsewhere. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/mjr1QqZjr5
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 17, 2022
Areas of heavy rain continue east of I-57. More precipitation later in the morning, starting as sleet and freezing rain around I-55. Freezing rain, sleet, and snow to spread SE through the day. Be alert for ponding of water and icy surfaces. https://t.co/EkpApJIuSY #ilwx pic.twitter.com/HF1wIYxm9K
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 17, 2022
Updated Wednesday at 5:35 p.m.
With the potential for a winter storm on Thursday, Illinois State University will be closed. The City of Champaign city building and public works will also be closed.
A potent winter storm will bring a variety of wx impacts to C & SE IL late tonight thru tomorrow. Heavy rain will create possible flooding; icing, heavy snowfall, and gusty winds will make for very difficult travel conditions. Please use caution if you need to travel. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/P4DsRLocXa
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 16, 2022
Updated Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.
MORE HEAVY PRECIPITATION: Another long-duration, heavy precipitation event will impact central Illinois over the next two days, this time with much of the precipitation falling as rain in Champaign-Urbana. pic.twitter.com/2ijMvQl6El
— Chambana Weather (@ChambanaWX) February 16, 2022
Heavy snow and freezing rain are expected in much of central IL Thursday. Heaviest snowfall should be north of I-72. Winter Storm Warnings and Watches in effect. #ilwx pic.twitter.com/SOMuJiQzhr
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 16, 2022
Updated Wednesday at 4:32 a.m.
Heavy rainfall is expected tonight through Thursday in much of central IL, especially south of I-72. Flood watch in effect. #ilwx pic.twitter.com/0MITlqxSKr
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 16, 2022
Strong winds expected in central, and especially east central Illinois today. Wind advisory in effect. #ilwx pic.twitter.com/j3vWw3Ab9g
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 16, 2022
Strong to severe thunderstorms possible Thursday morning to early afternoon in southeast IL. #ilwx pic.twitter.com/tSsIlhFOVb
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 16, 2022
Updated Tuesday at 9:45 p.m.
Transition to freezing rain/sleet probably happens around Noon on Thursday, with a few hours of precipitation to go. Most slippery period would be Thursday afternoon and evening. Snow is probably limited to flurries/dusting on the back side.
— Chambana Weather (@ChambanaWX) February 16, 2022
Another long-duration heavy precipitation event impacts central Illinois Wednesday & Thursday, with much of the precipitation falling as rain locally in Champaign-Urbana.
Current forecasts call for ~ 2.5" of total liquid precipitation across Champaign County/east-central IL. pic.twitter.com/y7x3PBvyzw
— Andrew Pritchard (@skydrama) February 16, 2022
Flood Watch for Wednesday night and Thursday for parts of central IL. #ilwx pic.twitter.com/ALiMAuu1zl
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 15, 2022
