Story updated Saturday at 10:10 p.m. – this story will be updated as the National Weather Service issues new forecasts.
CHAMPAIGN – Meteorologists are forecasting snow and much colder air in Central Illinois this weekend. According to Twitter posts from the National Weather Service in Central Illinois, a winter storm will impact the state on Saturday.
A band of light snow continues just east of the IL River. Freezing drizzle is also possible tonight. Snow covered roads are common along/north of a Rushville to Bloomington line, with slick spots noted as far south as the I-72 corridor. Use caution if traveling tonight. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/cO5OG1J1jF
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) January 2, 2022
Brrrrr! 🥶 Arctic air is set to push into western Illinois overnight. Here's a look at forecast temperatures between 9 PM tonight and 9 AM Sunday. Wind chills will range from 10 to 20 degrees colder than the air temperatures shown here. Bundle up if you must go outside! #ILwx pic.twitter.com/EbbzBl4g17
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) January 2, 2022
Travel Impacts from snow, sleet, freezing drizzle in central IL tonight. #ilwx pic.twitter.com/plzdvVrFMv
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) January 2, 2022
5:00 pm Update: Be ready for hazardous roads if you must travel north of I-72 through tonight. Snow covered and slippery conditions will be the worst during the heavier snowfall through this evening. North winds gusting to 30 mph are causing some blowing and drifting snow. #ilwx pic.twitter.com/h7oZ2dkgl3
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) January 1, 2022
3:10 pm Update: Be ready for hazardous roads if you must travel north of I-72 through tonight. Snow covered and slippery conditions will be the worst during the heavier snowfall through 7 pm. N winds are gusting to 30 mph! Use caution if you must travel this afternoon. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/vxarOyvRz4
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) January 1, 2022
1150 am Update: Roads are quickly becoming completely snow covered and slippery, producing hazardous travel across W and N portions of C IL. Use caution if you must travel in those areas. The rain-snow line will remain relatively stationary through 2 pm. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/GGy3RjzNY4
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) January 1, 2022
1010 am Update: Snow is quickly accumulating in western and northern portions of central Illinois. Roads will quickly become snow or ice covered and slippery. Use caution if you must travel in those areas. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/mJQTJldytk
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) January 1, 2022
Winter storm Saturday followed by much colder air Sunday. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/ZyvOCUeOUG
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) December 31, 2021
2022 will start off with a bang, weather-wise. Significant travel impacts are likely west of I-55, but especially NW of the Illinois River where the heaviest snow will occur. Sleet pic.twitter.com/UzuQLQu5Lq
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) December 31, 2021
Overnight lows will be in the single digits and teens Saturday night, and below zero in most areas along and northwest of the Illinois River Valley Sunday night. Breezy north winds create frigid wind chills Sunday morning, with lighter west/southwest winds Monday morning. pic.twitter.com/44dlJnhPDl
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) December 31, 2021
“Snow is favored north of the Illinois River Valley with rain favored south of I-70. In between, expect a wintry mix that will transition to snow,” said the post.
Meteorologists expect Champaign, Macon, and Vermilion counties to be on the edge of snowfall amounts of 2-inches or less.
After the snow, forecasters are predicting much colder air. The low in Champaign on Sunday night/Monday morning is predicted to be 8 degrees with a wind chill of -2.