UPDATE: 7:30A FRIDAY
A Winter Storm WARNING continues for Lee County until 9am while a Winter Weather ADVISORY continues for Whiteside County through 3pm this afternoon (
Early this morning moderate snowfall continues over parts of Lee County while snow is coming to an end over Whiteside County. Roads remain snow-covered and hazardous with some minor blowing/drifting in open areas.
Snow will come to an end across the entire area by mid-morning with a few light snow showers throughout the day. No further significant accumulation is expected with those.
I’ve measured around 4.5″ in Sterling with a report of near 5″ in Rock Falls. One report from Lee County has around 4.2″ to the north of Dixon. What have you seen so far? More totals will be coming in over the next couple of hours and I’ll post those as they are available.
We’ll respond to the forecast comments/questions/complaints once I see the snowfall total data this morning.
Light snow is expected later tonight into Saturday morning with a quick 1-3″ possible. This will cause SOME travel impacts Saturday morning but not nearly as terrible as what we are seeing this morning.
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The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm WARNING for Lee and Whiteside Counties beginning Thursday evening through Friday evening. Snow will begin to overspread the entire area after 5pm this evening lasting through much of the day Friday. The heaviest snow, possibly accumulating over 1″ per hour is expected to late Thursday night through Friday morning. Significant impacts to travel will be likely for the Friday morning commute. Total snowfall accumulations of 5 to 8 inches will be likely with isolated higher amounts possible.
The following model simulated radar shows a band of heavy snow establishing itself right over the area for the Friday morning commute. Road conditions will be significantly impacted by snow falling at a rate of 1 inch per hour, possibly more.
Total snowfall accumulations are expected to come in line between 5 to 8 inches with isolated higher amounts closer to a foot not completely out of the question.
Travel will be most impacted Friday morning with some small improvement by the evening hours.
We will likely see another brief period of light accumulating snow Saturday morning before this storm system pulls away. Much of next week looks much more quiet.
If you must travel ensure each vehicle has a winter weather survival kit.
