State prepares for winter weather event

The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are advising the public that a significant winter storm is anticipated to create dangerous travel conditions throughout much of the state, with several inches of snow, heavy icing, high winds and severe cold this weekend.

Slick and slippery conditions, reduced visibility, subzero wind chills and much longer travel times are expected.

“The team at IDOT is prepared for the first major snow-and-ice event of the season, but we ask for your cooperation as well,” said Lora Rensing, IDOT’s chief engineer and director of highways project implementation. “The safest option during severe winter weather always is to avoid unnecessary trips and stay home to minimize risk. If you must travel, please monitor the latest forecast and consider adjusting your plans, if necessary. Conditions at times could become treacherous.”

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for much of Illinois from late Saturday night through Monday morning. The heaviest snow is expected along Interstates 70 and 72, with 8 to 12 inches anticipated in Quincy, Springfield, Champaign and Effingham. Lower amounts are expected to the south and north. The Chicago area could see up to 4 inches. Periods of sleet and freezing rain south of I-64 could result in areas of heavy ice accumulations that damage trees and power lines.

Statewide, IDOT has more than 1,800 trucks and equipment available to treat roads, spread salt, plow snow and respond to weather emergencies as needed. Today and into Saturday, IDOT is pretreating areas prone to icing, though wind gusts as high as 35 mph will cause blowing and drifting snow into the weekend, challenging visibility and snow –and ice operations. Bitter cold temperatures also are forecast for the northern part of the state, with wind chills below zero.