Watseka, IL – A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until midnight CST (1 AM EST) tonight for portions of east-central Illinois and northwest Indiana, where heavy snow is expected to create hazardous travel conditions, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Chicago.
Counties under the warning include Ford and Iroquois in Illinois, and Newton, Jasper, and Benton in Indiana. Forecasters call for total snow accumulations of 5 to 9 inches, with the highest amounts likely falling during the afternoon peak snowfall window.
Southeast winds will gust up to 30 mph, contributing to areas of blowing and drifting snow, especially across open farmland and rural highways. Visibility may drop quickly during heavier bursts, making travel very difficult through the afternoon and evening.
The snow is expected to transition to drizzle later this evening as warmer air noses into the lower atmosphere. This could lead to areas of slick, slushy pavement before temperatures drop again overnight.
Communities including Watseka, Paxton, Gilman, Rensselaer, Kentland, Morocco, DeMotte, and Fowler should prepare for worsening road conditions during the afternoon hours, with travel impacts lingering into the late evening.
The NWS urges motorists to avoid nonessential travel or pack emergency supplies—including water, food, blankets, and a flashlight—if travel is unavoidable. Road condition updates are available at GettingAroundIllinois.com in Illinois and 511in.org in Indiana.
