Peoria, Illinois – Travel across parts of central Illinois could become extremely dangerous overnight as blizzard conditions develop by 10 p.m., threatening the Monday morning commute with near-whiteout visibility and strong winds.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, a Blizzard Warning is in effect from 10 p.m. tonight until 1 p.m. Monday for Knox and Stark counties. Strong winds gusting over 35 mph will combine with falling snow to produce widespread blowing and drifting snow.
The most severe impacts are expected across communities including Galesburg, Peoria, and areas near LaSalle, where visibility could fall to one-quarter mile or less for several hours overnight into early Monday. These conditions meet official blizzard criteria and may make travel extremely hazardous.
Drivers along Interstates 74, 39, and 55, as well as regional highways through Knox, Stark, and surrounding counties, could encounter rapidly changing road conditions with drifting snow covering lanes and sudden whiteouts.
Forecasters also warn the warning area may expand farther south and east if visibility reductions spread toward additional parts of central Illinois.
Officials strongly advise avoiding travel overnight if possible. If driving is unavoidable, motorists should slow down, increase following distance, and prepare for rapidly deteriorating visibility. Blizzard conditions are expected to gradually improve Monday afternoon as winds begin to ease.
