Sterling, Illinois – Drivers across northwest Illinois should expect dangerous travel and near-whiteout conditions as a major winter storm brings up to a foot of snow and strong winds to the region through early Sunday morning.
According to the National Weather Service, snowfall began Friday night and will intensify Saturday afternoon and evening, with the heaviest snowfall expected from 6 p.m. to midnight. Winds gusting up to 30 mph will create areas of drifting and reduced visibility, especially in rural parts of Jo Daviess, Carroll, Whiteside, and Rock Island counties.
Travel on I-88, US-20, IL-78, and IL-84 is expected to become treacherous during peak snow hours. Plow crews will be working continuously, but conditions may outpace treatment rates during periods of 1+ inch per hour snowfall.
Residents in Dixon, Galena, Rock Falls, and Savanna are urged to delay travel until after the storm ends early Sunday. Power outages are not expected to be widespread, but winds may bring isolated issues in exposed areas.
Winter storm warnings remain in effect, with cleanup continuing into Sunday afternoon.
