 The winter storm warning is in effect from 6 p.m. Saturday to
midnight Sunday for the counties of McLean, Logan, DeWitt, Piatt,
Champaign, Vermilion, Menard, Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, Christian,
Macon, Moultrie, Douglas, Coles, Edgar, Shelby, Cumberland, Clark,
Effingham, Jasper, Crawford, Clay, Richland and Lawrence, including
the cities of Bloomington, Normal, Lincoln, Champaign, Urbana,
Danville, Jacksonville, Springfield, Taylorville, Decatur,
Charleston, Mattoon, Shelbyville, Effingham, Flora and
Lawrenceville.Timing: Snow is expected to develop Saturday
evening and gradually taper off from west to east late Sunday. The
heaviest snowfall is expected to occur between midnight Saturday and
noon on Sunday, lingering a bit longer south of Interstate 70.
Accumulations: Current indications suggest 5 to 8 inches of
snow are possible between the Illinois River valley and Interstate
72. Locations south of a line from Pana to Danville have the
potential to receive 8 to 12 inches of snow, with the highest totals
likely south of Interstate 70.
Wind: Winds will swing around to the north by late Saturday
night behind a strong cold front. Shortly after frontal passage, the
winds are expected to increase to 15 to 20 mph with gusts in excess
of 30 mph. Strong winds and fresh snowfall will result in blowing
snow, particularly in east-central Illinois.
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Impacts: The potentially heavy snowfall will make for
hazardous travel conditions later Saturday night through Sunday. The
gusty northerly winds will produce considerable blowing and drifting
snow, producing near-blizzard conditions at times, with rapid
changes in visibility. The winds will also contribute to bitterly
cold wind chill values by late Sunday night, with wind chill values
of 25 below to 40 below zero by Monday morning.
Precautionary, preparedness actions: A winter storm warning
for heavy snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected
or occurring. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will
make travel dangerous. Only travel in an emergency. If you must
travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in
case of an emergency.
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Keep current with all that is happening as the storm progresses:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ilx/?n=winter_monitor
Graphical depiction:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/wxstory.php?site=ilx
[Text from National Weather
Service, Lincoln office] |
