Mother Nature is promising to put on a show in the Springfield area.
Officials at the National Weather Service in Lincoln said the central Illinois area could see two different snow events into Monday that could deliver up to 10 inches of snow.
A winter storm warning remains in effect for a wide swath of central Illinois, including Springfield, until noon on Monday.
More: Where can I park during a snow emergency? Here are some reminders
Freezing drizzle, said NWS meteorologist Mike Albano, could cause its own set of impacts on highways and other roads into the evening hours Sunday.
Runners brave the snow in Washington Park at MacArthur Boulevard on Jan. 5, 2025. The Springfield area could see up to 10 inches of snow accumulation through Monday afternoon.
Bands of heavier snow along Interstate 72 corridor, Albano said, could reduce visibility to about half a mile. The Springfield area could get two to five inches of snow in that first sequence before tapering off around 3 to 4 p.m., he said.
“In the evening, could see a lull where heavier snow shuts off and we start to transition to freezing drizzle or flurries,” Albano said.
A secondary push after midnight could impact the Monday morning commute while layering on another two to five inches of snow, Albano added.
Snow emergency for Springfield
The city of Springfield’s Office of Public Works has declared a snow emergency for designated snow routes until 11 p.m. on Monday.
Residents must remove all parked vehicles from marked snow emergency routes. Visit springfield.il.us/snow to view the route map and the city’s snow and ice removal policy.
Persons clearing private parking lots and sidewalks are reminded not to plow the snow into the streets, which is a violation of city ordinance.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to keep their sidewalks clear as a safety measure during inclement winter weather. All sidewalks adjacent to properties must be cleared of snow by 10 a.m. each morning following a snow event. Non-compliance may result in a fine.
The village of Jerome and the cities of Jacksonville and Lincoln have also declared snow emergencies.
Driving tips in winter weather conditions
Here are some driving tips from the Illinois State Police to navigate winter weather conditions:
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Plan your travel, selecting both primary and alternate routes;
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Let someone know your travel routes and itinerary so that, if you don’t arrive on time, officials will know where to search for you;
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Check latest weather information;
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Try to travel with another vehicle, if possible;
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Drive carefully and defensively. Watch for ice patches, especially on bridges and overpasses;
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If a storm begins to be too much for you to handle, seek refuge immediately;
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If your car should become disabled, stay with the vehicle, running your engine and heater for short intervals. Be sure to “crack” a window in the vehicle to avoid carbon monoxide build-up.
Current driving conditions
You can check out current road conditions at IDOT’s website GettingAroundIllinois.com.
This story will be updated.
Contact Steven Spearie at 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; or X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Illinois snowstorm: Springfield area could see up to 10 inches of snow