Live Blog: Dangerously cold wind chills expected in Peoria
People in need of assistance can find resources at Heart of Illinois 2-1-1. City of Peoria Police and fire stations are serving as warming stations. EastSide Centre and the East Peoria Civic Plaza have also been designated as warming centers.
Find a list of warming centers here. Follow WCBU here and on Facebook for updates.
Wind chills expected to dip as low as negative 35 degrees this weekend
A wind chill warning is in effect for Peoria, with the National Weather Service predicting dangerously cold temperatures through Tuesday.
Wind chills will drop to negative 15 to negative 35 degrees Saturday night. NWS predicts wind chills of as low as negative 30 degrees Sunday through Tuesday.
Bitter cold wind chill temperatures will continue the next few days, with the coldest forecast for Sunday morning. #ilwx pic.twitter.com/n8Lq9dJ6OM
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) January 13, 2024
Ed Shimon, a meteorologist with NWS, said people can get frostbite within 30 minutes when the wind chill is below negative 20 degrees.
He said people should wear three layers on their core body and two layers on their legs. Covering as much exposed skin as possible is necessary, so people should wear a hat, face mask and gloves.
Shimon also recommends wearing water proof boots. He said frostbite can set in through clothes if they don't provide suitable protection.
Hypothermia is also a risk during extreme cold and the above precautions should be taken to prevent it.
The City of Peoria Department of Public Works will continue to plow and treat roads on a round-the-clock schedule.
“Blowing and drifting snow along with plowing and treating the roads will be our focus today,” Public Works Deputy Director Sie Maroon said in a press release. “Continue to pay attention as you travel the City’s streets as road conditions will change throughout the day and evening.”
Drivers should use caution when driving and keep a greater stopping distance.
Joe Deacon contributed to this report.
Snow beginning again for parts of Peoria, little accumulation expected
It's snowing again for parts of Peoria, but little or no accumulation is expected this afternoon.
Snow could mix in with rain Friday afternoon and evening. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible tonight, according to the National Weather Service.
Patchy fog is expected in areas from the Illinois River to I-72, including Peoria, after 3 p.m. Blowing snow is expected this evening and Saturday morning.
Rain will turn to snow from west to east during this afternoon. Strong west winds developing during this afternoon and tonight to cause some blowing and drifting snow north of I-72. #ilwx pic.twitter.com/1TIzo1XZJl
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) January 12, 2024
Temperatures will drop begin to drop tonight and tomorrow. Highs will be in the single digits Sunday through Tuesday. The wind chill could reach as low as negative 30 degrees for parts of central Illinois.
The Peoria Police Department and Peoria Fire Stations will act as warming stations during the cold front.
Rain expected to transition into snow Friday afternoon
Rain will continue for much of the Peoria area Friday morning and early afternoon.
John Bumgardner, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lincoln, said rain should transition to snow anytime between 3 to 5 p.m.
He said snow is expected to continue until midnight. NWS is predicating anywhere from a dusting to an additional two inches of snow.
Parts of north Peoria could see a couple inches of snow accumulation.
Wind speeds could reach a high of 47 mph Friday night and early Saturday morning. High wind speeds could create blowing snow.
Temperatures will begin to drop Friday night, with wind chills between -3 and -8 degrees expected Saturday.
Joe Deacon contributed to this report.
A look at weather impact on today's flights
There are some flights in and out of the Peoria International Airport impacted by today's winter weather.
Several flights are canceled or delayed, including many morning flights to or from Chicago.
Latest forecast projects heaviest snow accumulations will be north of Peoria
The National Weather Service in Lincoln says Peoria has likely missed the brunt of the latest winter storm.
The areas with the greatest chance of snow accumulations of more than 6 inches are to the north of the city. Areas near and north of I-80 are particularly prone to blizzard-like conditions.
The NWS believes there will be a sharp division between areas with light and heavy snow, particularly given melting expected later this morning when rain moves in. In Peoria, a rain-snow mix is expected by 3 p.m., with a return to snow by 6 p.m.
Wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour are anticipated tonight. Three to four inches of snow are forecast for Peoria through early Saturday morning.
Bitterly cold temperatures are coming in on the tail of this latest winter storm, with wind chills expected to dip down into double digit negatives Saturday morning through Tuesday.
Plow crews are out treating snow-covered & slick roadways
Peoria Public Works snow crews are still working 12-hour, round-the-clock shifts as the latest stretch of wintry weather rolls through the area.
Public works deputy director Sie Maroon says road conditions should improve ahead of morning rush hour, but today's weather is still a mixed bag.
Rain is forecast for much of the morning, before turning back into snow this afternoon and evening. Maroon warns conditions could change quickly with temperatures expected to rise and drop throughout the day.
You can check out road conditions around Illinois through the Illinois Department of Transportation's camera network.
Cancellations and closings
A number of Central Illinois school districts are canceling classes for Friday as the weather turns sour.
Some area districts canceling include:
Dunlap 323
Washington School;s
Metamora Schools
Farmington 265 - Remote Day
East Peoria Schools
Illinois Valley Central 321
Canton Union Dist. 66
Peoria Heights 325
Elmwood 322
Midland 7 - Remote Day
Brimfield 309 - Remote Day
Princeville 326 - Remote Day
Rain and isolated thunderstorms expected Thursday night into Friday morning
A winter weather advisory is in effect for the Peoria area because of an approaching winter storm that could bring 2 to 5 inches of snow.
Rain and isolated thunderstorms begin tonight and will continue Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Rain is excepted to transition into snow Friday afternoon.
Wind speeds could reach 40 to mph Friday afternoon and evening.
Temperatures will plummet Saturday night, with wind chills below minus 10 degrees expected through Tuesday night. The temperature could reach minus 20.
The city of Peoria Police station and fire stations are open as warming stations. EastSide Centre and the East Peoria Civic Plaza also will serve as warming stations.
The City of Peoria Department of Public Works says roads will be vulnerable to slick and icy conditions. Drivers should use caution and stay home, if possible.