UPDATED 11:41 a.m.
Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Snow is falling throughout most of Illinois Saturday, and some parts of the state are expected to get as much snow during the day as they did all of last winter.
The National Weather Service has two thirds of Illinois, including Springfield, in a Winter Storm Warning continuing until 6 a.m. Sunday. In Springfield, six to ten inches of snow is expected to fall, while some areas to the north could see closer to a foot. Even some pockets of central Illinois could get more than ten inches, says the Weather Service office in Lincoln.
The snow is expected to be heavy at times, and gusty winds could cause some blowing snow.
Forecasters and the Illinois Department of Transportation both say that driving is not advised at all Saturday. Nevertheless, IDOT plows started late Friday night being in position to plow snow and spread salt when needed. If you must travel Saturday, the Weather Service urges drivers go slow, leave plenty of room between them and other vehicles including snow plows, and avoid sudden braking.
In Springfield, the city has issued a Snow Emergency in effect until 8:00 a.m. Sunday. “Residents must remove all parked vehicles from marked snow emergency routes to ensure our crews can clear the roads,” said a city press release. CLICK HERE to learn more about the city’s emergency plans.
Also in Springfield, Lincoln Library says it will be closed Saturday, due to the weather.
In the rest of Sangamon County, a statement indicates a “Level 1 Winter Weather Emergency” is in effect until further notice. “The declaration applies only to county highways. Under a Level 1 Winter Weather Emergency, roadways are hazardous. Drivers may encounter blowing and drifting snow, and roadways may be icy. Drivers should use caution,” said the statement.
In Jacksonville, a “Snow Emergency” is in effect until 6 a.m. Monday. “This declaration is made to facilitate safe and efficient snow removal operations across the city,” said the city. Among other things, residents shoveling snow are prohibited from pushing it into the street, and parking on posted “snow emergency routes are prohibited.”
Sangamon Mass Transit District says it is now suspending service for the rest of Saturday. Customers of Access Paratransit will be contacted.
Throughout the region, a number of events are cancelled or postponed. Springfield’s downtown tree lighting ceremony is postponed until a date to be announced. The Illinois First Holiday Market at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, however, is still going on.
CLICK HERE for road conditions from the Illinois Department of Transportation.
CLICK HERE for Sangamon County Road Conditions.
Stay with Newstalk 93.9 and AM 1240 WTAX for further details as needed, as well as our news partners at WAND-TV.
Despite this being the first real winter storm of the season, sometimes you just have to laugh. “If this forecast comes anywhere close to true, Crime will be cancelled,” said a Facebook post from the Chatham Police Department. “…this winter storm comes with advisories to stay indoors & mind your business. Everyone should probably pay attention.”
