Heavy snowfall followed by high wind forecast for Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning

From NWS at 4:14 a.m. Monday

[February 03, 2014]  The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a winter storm watch in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning for central Illinois.

This storm watch is for the counties of Knox, Stark, Peoria, Marshall, Woodford, Fulton, Tazewell, McLean, Schuyler, Mason, Logan, DeWitt, Piatt, Champaign, Vermilion, Cass, Menard, Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, Christian, Macon, Moultrie, Douglas, Coles, Edgar, Shelby, Cumberland and Clark, including the cities of Galesburg, Peoria, Bloomington, Normal, Havana, Lincoln, Champaign, Urbana, Danville, Jacksonville, Springfield, Taylorville, Decatur, Charleston, Mattoon and Shelbyville:

Timing: Snow is expected to begin Tuesday afternoon and continue through Wednesday morning. Blowing snow will begin occurring Tuesday night and will continue into Wednesday morning, mainly along and north of a line from Beardstown to Danville.

Accumulations: Six to 8 inches will be possible along and north of a line from Taylorville to Paris. Four to 6 inches will be possible south of this line to Interstate 70. Localized higher amounts will also be possible.

Wind: Northeast winds of 10 to 20 mph will become northwest at 15 to 25 mph Tuesday night.

Visibilities: Snow and blowing snow will reduce visibilities to less than a quarter-mile at times Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, mainly along and north of a line from Beardstown to Danville.

Impacts: Accumulating snow and areas of reduced visibilities due to blowing snow will create hazardous driving conditions Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning.

Precautionary, preparedness actions: A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may affect travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

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NWS graphic: Central Illinois most affected  

[Text from National Weather Service, Lincoln office]