Heavy Snow Slows Central Illinois

But Fun to Play In

[February 01, 2008]  Weather forecasters and emergency response agencies are still cautioning that winds could cause drifting, and drivers should be prepared. In addition, some roads have not been plowed. "If you don't have to go out right now, just don't do it," Logan County Emergency Management Agency director Dan Fulscher said this morning. "If you have to go out, take a survival kit, a shovel to dig out a tailpipe, a blanket and candle for heat, and a cell phone."

In Lincoln there are some side streets that crews have not been able to get to yet. In the county, secondary roads are not completely open yet. Fulscher said that snow on the roads is like water; you don't know how deep it is till you get in it. He advises that if you see roads that are not plowed, don't go down them.

A commuter report indicated that Interstate 55 travel was fair, but a little slower than usual at about 40 miles per hour. The Illinois Department of Transportation road map indicated interstates were still mostly snow- and ice-covered at the noon hour. The map is updated every two hours.

There was one snowmobile rescue call in the country, for a motorist who slid off Primm Road and was running out of fuel.

The task of clearing walks and drives for central Illinois residents was varied this morning. Anywhere from 3 to 11 inches of snow fell over the area since yesterday afternoon. Amounts vary considerably just miles apart.

Springfield had the high amount at 11 inches, Bloomington reported 10 inches, Hillsboro 9 inches and Washington 7 inches.

With temperatures in the low 30s, Friday morning's outdoor chores could be considered not so bad after last week's subzero wind chill. Winds had also become slight to none.

Children will appreciate this snow, as it is heavy and sticky, great for snow sculpting and packing snowballs.

Warming temperatures and rain forecast at the start of next week will likely clear it all away. Then we'll likely be back to watching for flooding issues.

[By ]