Heavy snow, extreme cold, dangerous wind chills creating hazardous travel conditions across Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are warning the public that a winter storm with heavy snow as well as bitterly cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills will have major impacts on Illinois roads this weekend and potentially into next week. Travel is not advised in the areas most affected.

"Our snow and ice teams will be prepared and out in force. But with the extreme weather forecasted, any kind of travel will put you and others at risk, especially during the overnight hours," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. "Staying home during any severe weather event always is your safest option. If you must be on the roads, please take precautions because conditions could be life-threatening."

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the southern half of the state and an extreme cold warning for most of Illinois. Areas south of Effingham and into Southern Illinois and the Metro East could see 8 to 12 inches of snow, starting Saturday morning and into Sunday evening. Totals across central Illinois could reach 8 inches, with as much as 4 inches in Kankakee, Peoria and Macomb. Between 1 and 4 inches are anticipated in the Chicago area, with totals decreasing toward Rockford and the Quad Cities. ​

Winds reaching 25 mph will create blowing and drifting, reducing visibility and challenging efforts to combat snow and ice. Temperatures will stay below zero degrees across most of Illinois, with wind chill factors between minus 5 and minus 40.

In preparation for this weekend's weather, IDOT has been pretreating roads and bridges, loading plows with salt and other materials. Crews will be out throughout the weekend and into next week. However, due to subzero temperatures, the effectiveness of salt and materials to treat roads will be substantially diminished, creating slick and slippery conditions at all times. Additionally, blowing and drifting snow will quickly deteriorate conditions on roads that have just been plowed and treated. ​ ​

"The bitter cold and large snow amounts forecasted this weekend for parts of the state can lead to dangerous driving conditions that could put not only your life at risk, but the lives of troopers and other law enforcement officers, emergency services, tow truck drivers and anyone else on the roads," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. "It's simple: If you don't have to drive, don't. If you must go out, give yourself extra time, go slow and have an emergency kit in your vehicle."

Statewide, IDOT has nearly 1,900 trucks and equipment available to spread salt, plow snow and respond to weather emergencies as needed across more than 45,000 lanes miles. Do not crowd the plows. Give them plenty of room to do their jobs and do not attempt to pass too closely. Conditions in front of the plow are going to be worse than behind it.

If you absolutely have to travel, please drive according to conditions at all times, reducing speed, increasing braking distances and allowing more space between you and other vehicles. Take it especially slow when approaching intersections, ramps, bridges, shaded areas and other locations prone to icing. Check current winter road conditions 24/7 at GettingAroundIllinois.com. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook, X and Instagram. ​

Other tips if you have to travel:

Check the forecast before leaving and make sure someone is aware of your travel route and schedule. Anticipate much longer travel times. ​

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