Springfield, Illinois – Drivers across central Illinois should prepare for slick stretches on I-55 and I-72 by daybreak Monday as light snow spreads in Sunday evening and continues through the early morning commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, snow will likely expand across much of central and southeast Illinois Sunday night and persist until at least 6 a.m. Monday. Most communities can expect minor accumulations, but between 1 and 3 inches may fall in a corridor roughly between I-74 and I-70, including parts of Peoria, Bloomington and Champaign.
Temperatures will hover near freezing overnight, allowing snow to stick to untreated pavement. Bridges, overpasses and rural highways such as U.S. 51 near Decatur could become slick within minutes of heavier bursts. While this is not a major winter storm, even modest totals can slow traffic during the Monday morning commute.
Farther south toward Effingham and areas near I-70, slightly higher totals are possible before warmer air nudges in late Monday morning. As temperatures climb into the 40s by afternoon, precipitation may transition to rain from south to north, helping improve road conditions.
State transportation crews are expected to monitor primary routes, but drivers should allow extra travel time, reduce speeds and leave greater following distance Sunday night into early Monday. Additional advisories could be issued if snowfall amounts trend higher or the rain-snow line shifts farther north before sunrise Monday.
