Central Illinois / Eastern Iowa – A fast-moving band of snow created hazardous travel conditions across parts of central Illinois and eastern Iowa Thursday evening, briefly covering roads and reducing visibility.
According to Special Weather Statements issued by the National Weather Service offices in Lincoln, Illinois, and the Quad Cities, snow moved east across the region between roughly 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. CST. While the snow was short-lived, forecasters warned snowfall rates could reach up to 1 inch per hour in localized areas.
In central Illinois, including Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, Springfield, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and surrounding communities, the snow was expected to last only 1 to 2 hours. However, the rapid accumulation was enough to quickly make roads snow covered and slippery, particularly on untreated surfaces.
Similar conditions were reported across southeast Iowa and western Illinois, including areas near Davenport, Bettendorf, Burlington, Fort Madison, Macomb, Moline, and Rock Island. There, a quick dusting up to 1 inch led to slushy road conditions and brief periods of reduced visibility.
The National Weather Service emphasized that the main hazard was the sudden change in road conditions rather than total snowfall amounts. Drivers were advised to slow down, allow extra following distance, and be prepared for slick spots, especially on bridges, overpasses, and secondary roads.
The snow band was expected to move out later in the evening, with road conditions gradually improving once snowfall ended. No long-duration winter storm warnings were issued, but officials stressed that short bursts of snow can still pose a significant risk to commuters.
Motorists traveling Thursday night across central Illinois and eastern Iowa were urged to remain alert for rapidly changing conditions.
