Heavy, wet snow possible late Saturday night through Sunday night

[March 23, 2013]  The Lincoln office of the National Weather Service released a winter weather message at 3:31 a.m. Saturday. Heavy, wet snow is possible over parts of central through east-central and southeast Illinois late Saturday night through Sunday night.

An area of low pressure will strengthen over southern Missouri on Saturday night, then track east along the Ohio River on Sunday. This will produce snow, some of it heavy at times, starting late Saturday night and continuing into Sunday night.

Current indications suggest the potential for 6 to 9 inches of heavy, wet snow, especially along and south of a line from El Paso to Fairview and north of a line from Effingham to Marshall. The heaviest snow region will be centered on a Taylorville-to-Chrisman line.

A winter storm watch remains in effect from late Saturday night through late Sunday night for the counties of Knox, Stark, Peoria, Fulton, Tazewell, Schuyler, Mason, Logan, Cass, Menard, Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, Christian, Macon, Moultrie, Shelby, Effingham and Clay, including the cities of Galesburg, Peoria, Havana, Lincoln, Jacksonville, Springfield, Taylorville, Decatur, Shelbyville, Effingham and Flora.

Timing: Snow will develop across the area by midnight Saturday and continue Sunday into Sunday night.

Accumulations: Snow will range from 6 to 9 inches over central Illinois, with 4 to 6 inches north of an El Paso-to-Fairview line and south of an Effingham-to-Marshall line.

Wind: Northeast winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts occasionally as high as 30 mph, will shift more to a north to northwest direction Sunday night.

Impacts: Snow-covered and hazardous roadways. Temperatures Sunday will be in the low to mid-30s but fall back into the middle 20s Sunday night, so any wet or slush-covered roads will refreeze.

Precautionary, preparedness actions: A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may affect travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

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See warned areas affected:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ilx/

For details on areas affected, click here.

Graphical depiction:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/wxstory.php?site=ilx 
(Or see March 23 weather graphic below.)

[Text from National Weather Service, Lincoln office]

A significant late-season winter storm is expected to affect central and southeast Illinois by Sunday, and a winter storm watch has been issued for after midnight Saturday through Sunday night. Snow is expected to spread northeast into the area by overnight Saturday and continue through Sunday night before diminishing Monday morning.

Many locations have the potential for 6-9 inches of snow. However, areas south of Interstate 70 may see some rain mix in at times into Sunday morning, which would lower the snow totals to 4-6 inches, and also in areas north of Peoria, with 4-6 inches expected.

While northeast winds on Sunday will range from 20 to 25 mph, the heavy, wet nature of the snow should prevent any significant blowing and drifting snow, although visibility will be very low in the heavier snow bands.

Anyone traveling across Illinois or adjacent states overnight Saturday through Sunday night, especially south of I-80 to along I-70, should monitor the latest forecasts.