Heavy snow, excessive chilly, harmful wind chills creating hazardous journey  situations throughout Illinois 

 SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are warning the general public {that a} winter storm with heavy snow in addition to bitterly chilly temperatures and harmful wind chills can have main impacts on Illinois roads this weekend and probably into subsequent week. Travel will not be suggested within 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,” mentioned 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 excessive chilly warning for many of Illinois. Areas south of Effingham and into Southern Illinois and the Metro East might see 8 to 12 inches of snow, beginning Saturday morning and into Sunday night. Totals throughout central Illinois might attain 8 inches, with as a lot as 4 inches in Kankakee, Peoria and Macomb. Between 1 and 4 inches are anticipated within the Chicago space, with totals lowering towards Rockford and the Quad Cities. ​ 

 Winds reaching 25 mph will create blowing and drifting, decreasing visibility and difficult efforts to fight snow and ice. Temperatures will keep beneath zero levels throughout most of Illinois, with wind chill components between minus 5 and minus 40. 

 In preparation for this weekend’s climate, IDOT has been pretreating roads and bridges, loading plows with salt and different supplies. Crews might be out all through the weekend and into subsequent week. However, on account of subzero temperatures, the effectiveness of salt and supplies to deal with roads might be considerably diminished, creating slick and slippery situations always. Additionally, blowing and drifting snow will shortly deteriorate situations on roads which have simply been plowed and handled. ​ ​ 

 “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,” mentioned 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 almost 1,900 vans and tools out there to unfold salt, plow snow and reply to climate emergencies as wanted throughout greater than 45,000 lanes miles. Do not crowd the plows. Give them loads of room to do their jobs and don’t try to cross too intently. Conditions in entrance of the plow are going to be worse than behind it. 

 If you completely should journey, please drive in keeping with situations always, decreasing velocity, growing braking distances and permitting extra space between you and different automobiles. Take it particularly gradual when approaching intersections, ramps, bridges, shaded areas and different areas liable to icing. Check present winter road conditions 24/7 at GettingAroundIllinois.com. You can also comply with IDOT on Facebook, X and Instagram. ​ 

 Other ideas should you should journey: 

 Check the forecast earlier than leaving and ensure somebody is conscious of your journey route and schedule. Anticipate for much longer journey instances. ​ 

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