PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) – Another speedboat system will bring widespread snow accumulation to central Illinois on Thursday. While the amount of snowfall is not expected to be significant, the timing of the snowfall could cause problems for Thursday night’s commute.
Main points
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Snow on Thursday between 1pm and 4pm
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The heaviest snowfall is expected between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
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The snow will end between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Friday
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Widespread accumulation of 2-4 inches, locally higher near and north of I-74
Timing of the storm
The next fast-shearing system will bring a 150-mile-wide swath of snow to central and northern Illinois Thursday afternoon and evening. Snow will spread across the region from west to east between 1 pm and 4 pm on Thursday, ending between 2 am and 5 am on Friday. Snowfall rates could exceed half an inch per hour between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., causing a smooth commute Thursday night.
snow forecast
While the storm system is relatively short-lived, the timing of the system will allow snow to accumulate at an appropriate rate. This should result in widespread accumulation of 2-4 inches, with localized bands of 3-5 inches somewhere in the area. Currently, we expect this band to be established near or north of I-74, but may move south in a future update. In terms of moisture, the storm is expected to produce 0.25 inches to 0.40 inches of snowmelt.
Another system is expected to bring another round of snow to parts of the region on Saturday. The system’s trajectory is more uncertain, but given the very cold temperatures in the area, it could end up producing a few extra inches of accumulation anywhere along its trajectory. Those planning to travel on Saturday should continue to monitor forecasts of potential impacts.
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