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Snow ending; portion of I-39 closed due to 100+ vehicle crashes

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Snow falling on Friends Plaza outside the IPM studios on February 17, 2022.
  • Photo: Reginald Hardwick/IPM News

Illinois Public Media News is monitoring a winter storm that the National Weather Service in Central Illinois expects to bring rain, icy conditions, and possible snow to East Central Illinois. We will update this post with the latest forecast information.

Updated Thursday at 8:30 p.m.

The snow is starting to come to an end, according to Meteorologist Andrew Pritchard. Meanwhile, travel conditions continue to be treacherous, especially along the interstates. The Illinois State Police says I-39 from Normal to Minonk will be closed for 12 hours due to multiple crashes involving over 100 vehicles. 

Updated Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

Major weather-related crashes reported right now by Illinois State Police:

  • Traffic is being diverted off of I-74 Eastbound at University Avenue due to multiple accidents.
  • I-57 South is closed due to crashes north of the Market Street exit.  It will be closed for multiple hours.
  • I-39 Southbound at milepost 9, South of El Paso is closed due to a multi-vehicle crash.  

Updated Thursday at 5:15 p.m.

Champaign county covered in snow, crews working to clear roads

IDOT camera shows snow covered roads in Champaign on February 17, 2022. Illinois Dept. of Public Transportation

CHAMPAIGN – Roads are covered in snow and ice throughout Champaign County, from the highways to city streets. Local authorities request that people stay home if they can, because roads are hazardous and slippery. They request that those who must drive, drive slowly and give plows plenty of room. 

City of Champaign snow crews have been plowing and salting the main roads since 9 a.m. The city focuses on the main arteries throughout snowstorms and turns to side streets once storms are over. While city crews plan to plow overnight, Champaign County crews are unsure whether they will have to pause. During the last snowstorm, winds were so high in rural areas that the crews could not see other drivers. Champaign County engineer Jeff Blue says he is waiting to see how much snow accumulates by 7 p.m. If the area gets between four and six inches of snow, the county may stop plowing overnight. 

The Illinois Department of Transportation is reporting major crashes in the Champaign County area. Champaign County emergency management is warning against travel on I-74 between Mansfield and Champaign because of crashes and hazardous conditions. – Emily Hays, Illinois Newsroom

 

Updated Thursday at 5:00 p.m.

Champaign Unit #4 Schools will have a full remote instructional day on Friday, February 18 because of the snow. The district says all students and staff PreK-12 should follow the E-Learning Day instructional schedule. Meteorologist Andrew Pritchard expects the snow to begin to taper off starting at 7:00 p.m. and completely leave the area by midnight. 

Updated Thursday at 3:00 p.m.

Steady snowfall was reported across Champaign-Urbana at this hour.  All city buildings in Danville are now closed. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has moved to online classes and essential operations only for the rest of the day.

Updated Thursday at 2:05 p.m.

Visibility and deteriorating road conditions are starting to become a major problem according to the Illinois Dept. of Transportation.

Updated Thursday at 1:05 p.m.

We recorded steady sleet outside the Illinois Public Media studios. The switchover to snow hasn’t happened in Champaign-Urbana yet. But it has in Decatur.

Updated Thursday at 12:15 p.m.

The weather has started to switch from freezing rain and sleet to snow in parts of Central Illinois. Below is the Illinois Dept. of Transportation road conditions map as of 12:15 p.m.

Updated Thursday at 7:00 a.m.

We will be dealing with wintry weather throughout the day. Meteorologist Andrew Pritchard spoke with Illinois Newsroom’s Reginald Hardwick about what we can expect.

Updated Thursday at 5:45 a.m.

Wintry precipitation are expected to begin around 9:00 a.m.  Heavy snow amounts are being predicted.

Updated Wednesday at 5:35 p.m.

With the potential for a winter storm on Thursday, Illinois State University will be closed. The City of Champaign city building and public works will also be closed.

Updated Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.

Updated Wednesday at 4:32 a.m.

https://twitter.com/NWSLincolnIL/status/1493893051709755392

 

https://twitter.com/NWSLincolnIL/status/1493887517132611586

Updated Tuesday at 9:45 p.m.

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Reginald Hardwick

Reginald Hardwick is the News & Public Affairs Director at Illinois Public Media. He oversees daily newscasts and online stories. He also manages The 21st Show, a live, weekday talk show that airs on six NPR stations throughout Illinois. He is the executive producer of IPM's annual environmental TV special "State of Change." And he is the co-creator of Illinois Soul, IPM's Black-focused audio service that launched in February 2024. Before arriving at IPM in 2019, he served as News Director at WKAR in East Lansing and spent 17 years as a TV news producer and manager at KXAS, the NBC-owned station in Dallas/Fort Worth. Reginald is the recipient of three Edward R. Murrow regional awards, seven regional Emmy awards, and multiple honors from the National Association of Black Journalists. Born in Vietnam, Reginald grew up in Colorado and is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado. Email: rh14@illinois.edu Twitter: @RNewsIPM