Storm total snowfall amounts will see wide differences over short distances due to potential heavy snow banding. Winds will gust up to 40 mph by midday, creating near whiteout conditions at times, as well as blowing and drifting snow making travel difficult. Measuring the snow will also be difficult. Snow is expected to continue this morning, then diminish from NW to SE this afternoon. Precipitation fall as a mix of rain, snow, and freezing rain between I-72 and I-70, with all rain south of I-70 until midday today. Expectations are for most of the area north of a line from Taylorville to Danville to receive an average of 3 to 6 inches of new snowfall, with 2-3″ in the corridor from Mattoon to Paris, and 1-3″ south of there. In addition, north winds will continue at 20-25 mph with gusts to 40 mph by midday today, leading to blowing and drifting of the snow as well as reduced visibilities. Hazardous driving conditions will continue through tonight.
