Dropping temperatures may create scattered slick spots today; more snow on the way

[January 18, 2011]  The National Weather Service in Lincoln released the following special weather statement at 9:49 a.m. Tuesday 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, Clark, Effingham, Jasper, Crawford, Clay, Richland and Lawrence, including the cities of Galesburg, Peoria, Bloomington, Normal, Havana, Lincoln, Champaign, Urbana, Danville, Jacksonville, Springfield, Taylorville, Decatur, Charleston, Mattoon, Shelbyville, Effingham, Flora and Lawrenceville:

Slick spots are possible on area roads as temperatures fall Tuesday.

Colder air is filtering into central Illinois Tuesday in the wake of a strong front. Despite passage of the cold front, areas of fog and a few sprinkles persisted across the region this morning. High temperatures for the day have already been achieved and a slow drop in temperatures is expected for the remainder of the day. As readings fall below the freezing mark, any remaining moisture from the recent rainfall and morning fog will likely freeze, creating scattered slick spots on area roads, bridges and overpasses.

Temperatures at or below freezing were already occurring across the Illinois River Valley this morning and were expected along the Interstate 55 corridor by noon, then further east to the Indiana border after 3 p.m. Motorists are advised to drive with caution Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night.

The weather service website indicates that a storm system is expected to push across the Rockies on Wednesday and then track east into our area Wednesday night and Thursday, bringing an increasing threat for accumulating snows to the area. Current indications suggest snow will overspread central, east-central and southeast Illinois Wednesday night and continue into Thursday before shifting off to the east late in the day.

Accumulations will range from 1 to 3 inches across the north, while it appears that the heavy snow band with this system will set up near the Interstate 70 corridor. Accumulations of 3 to 6 inches will be possible in that area by Thursday, with locally higher amounts possible.

Once the snow moves out late Thursday, very cold air will once again settle southeast into the region, with temperatures expected to drop to between 5 below zero in the north and around 5 above across the southern part Friday morning.

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For more details and updates, see http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ilx/.

[Text from National Weather Service, Lincoln office]