UPDATE: High winds and blowing snow could reduce visibility Tuesday

Snow and wind may create slippery roads and reduced visibility for much of central Illinois Tuesday evening.

Wind speeds of up to 45 mph could create blowing snow and reduce visibility for drivers.

Rain will transition into snow for areas east of I-55. The National Weather Service in Lincoln says they expect a gradual west-to-east transition from rain to snow.

Peoria is expected to get an additional one to two inches of snow tonight and see wind speeds of 40 to 45 mph.

City of Peoria snowplow drivers began plowing residential streets this afternoon. They will continue to work on main and residential roads overnight.

Drivers are encouraged give extra time for commutes and increase distance between vehicles.

Slippery, snow-covered roads are being reported west of the Illinois River, where light to moderate snow will continue Tuesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service in Lincoln says residents east of the Illinois River can expect rain through 1 p.m. Roads will be wet due to rain and melting snow.

City of Peoria plow drivers will continue to work on primary roads. If there is a break in snow, they will begin plowing and treating residential streets this afternoon.

Crews will remain on around-the-clock operations and may have to plow residential streets overnight if there is not a break in snow.

The roads continue to be passable, but drivers are urged to use caution.

UPDATE (10 a.m., 1/9/24) Snow continues to fall northwest of the Illinois River and will continue for most of Tuesday. The National Weather Service in Lincoln says snowfall rates of 0.5 inches per hour are possible.

Snow could become rain for areas east of the Illinois River this afternoon before turning back to snow this evening.

Wind speeds could reach as high as 45 mph tonight. Some blowing and drifting snow is possible, potentially decreasing visibility. Isolated power outages are also possible.

Roads remain slushy and it is recommended that drivers still use caution when driving, especially this afternoon and evening when visibility could be reduced.

UPDATE (4:30 a.m., 1/9/24): Round one of the snowfall has wrapped up, but the winter storm isn't over yet.

A wet, heavy snow fell across Central Illinois overnight. The National Weather Service says the next wave of precipitation moves in this morning. A rain/snow mix is expected this morning, but snow is mostly expected northwest of the Illinois River. It transitions into rain to the east of the river.

Another three to four inches of snow is expected through 6 p.m. tonight.

Main roadways in Peoria are currently slushy but mostly navigable this morning. Residential streets will be slicker. Peoria plow crews will begin residential plowing later this morning. Peoria County is under a collision alert.

Some school districts are closing or shifting to remote learning on Tuesday. They include Canton, Illinois Valley Central, and Quest Charter Academy. Other districts are going remote, like Farmington, Brimfield, Princeville, and Midland.

Strong winds could pose a hazard this evening, with northwesterly wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour anticipated. Blowing snow is possible.

Original 1/8/24: A major winter storm is on its way into the Peoria area, and it's expected to bring up to 8 inches of snow along for the ride.

Areas west of the Illinois River are currently under a winter storm warning. John Bumgardner is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Lincoln. He said they're confident Peoria will get significant snowfall, but the exact amount could vary.

"You might not quite get to six inches. You could get a little more, but we'll have some winds and some blowing and drifting to deal with," he said.

The highest snowfall amounts are expected along the Illinois River. Bumgardner said Peoria is right along the snow/rain transition line, so it is possible there will be a rain/snow mix from 4-8 a.m. Tuesday ahead of a second wave of snow.

"Sometimes we're concerned about freezing rain when we're temperatures are right on the margin there. And that can be very impactful. Fortunately, in this case, it looks like it's just going to either be rain or snow," he said.

The larger threat, he said, are gusty winds both Monday and Tuesday night.

"If you don't have to travel, avoid it because of the winds will have some blowing and drifting going on," he said. "And that can be really dangerous because you might sneak up on a big drift on part of the road and not have time to slow down before going into it."

Active snowfall is expected to continue through Tuesday night. Areas west of the Illinois River are under a winter storm warning from 6 p.m. Monday through 6 a.m. Wednesday. A winter weather advisory is in effect for areas east of the Illinois River.

The city of Peoria is applying liquid pretreatments to the main arterial roads, hills, bridges, and overpasses. Peoria snow plow drivers will begin 12-hour, around the clock shifts starting at 7 p.m. Monday. Parking bans on snow routes automatically go into effect in the city of Peoria when 2 inches or more of snow is forecasted. Check with your local municipality for snow parking rules.

The NWS warns another wave of wintry weather is set to encroach upon Central Illinois this Friday.