Winter Storm, Blizzard warnings issued for Central Illinois

Posted on February 24, 2016
National Weather Service
Portions of Central Illinois could get 6 to 7 inches of snow on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy National Weather Service)

By Eric Stock

LINCOLN – Mother Nature is about to show us winter is far from over.

A storm that could dump up to a half-foot of snow is expected to roll in Central Illinois on Wednesday. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for McLean, DeWitt, Livingston, and Logan counties from 6 a.m. Wednesday until 6 a.m. Thursday. Ford and Piatt counties will be under a Blizzard Warning until 6 a.m. Thursday.

According to NWS, 2 to 4 inches of snow is expected along Interstate 55. The weather service says the heaviest snowfall axis will be focused along the Interstate 57 corridor, where amounts of 6 to 7 inches will be likely from between Champaign-Urbana and Danville.

The most significant snow will occur from Wednesday morning through mid-afternoon before diminishing to flurries late in the day, according to the weather service. In addition to the snow, strong northerly winds gusting to between 40 and 45 mph will create significant blowing and drifting snow. Motorists are advised to drive with caution and to plan on extra time to arrive at their destinations.

Unit 5 and Heartland Community College have canceled classes on Wednesday. Check the complete list here.

Bloomington and Normal have issued snow route parking bans. LeRoy has issued a parking ban for 8 a.m.

Illinois road conditions can be found here.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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