How much snow fell in southwest Illinois? How much more is coming? When’s the thaw?

Areas of southwestern Illinois were blanketed with the highest snowfall totals in years, most of it falling during a 24 hour burst that ended in the metro-east in the late afternoon Monday.

Kell, Illinois, a village of about 230 residents 70 miles due east of Belleville between Salem and Mount Vernon, reported a regional high of 11.9 inches of snow. Closer to St. Louis, though, the totals fell mostly between 8 and 9 inches locally, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS St. Louis office reported 9.5inches of snow fell in Freeburg; 9 inches was reported in east Belleville; 8.5 in Collinsville and Fairview Heights; 8.8 in both Marissa and Pinckneyville; 6.5 in Swansea; and 6.5 Granite City.

The snowfall, coupled with dangerous cold and wind chills has closed most schools across the region, but hasn’t necessarily canceled classes. In Belleville District 201, Collinsville 10 and others, students will log onto their computers for remote learning, as they have done throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students in O’Fallon 203 and Mascoutah 19, on the other hand, are enjoying a traditional snow day.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a statewide disaster proclamation because of dangerous wind chills, power outages and snow. At 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, roughly 7,000 households in Illinois were without power. The governor urged Illinoisans with power to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats a few degrees.

The declaration opens avenues for the governor’s office to work with local and federal agencies to respond to emergencies. Pritzker said he was also working with the federal government to prevent skyrocketing power bills as wholesale energy costs soar.

What’s in the forecast?

Winter weather advisories remain in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday for most of the region, including St. Clair, Madison, Washington, Clinton, Monroe and Randolph counties. The next 24 hours calls for an additional two inches of snow and windchills as low as 25 degrees below zero.

Temperatures will warm late in the week, but it will still be bitterly cold through Thursday, the National Weather Service forecasts. The high Wednesday is expected to reach 20 degrees in St. Clair County. By Saturday, the NWS predicts sunshine with a high of 36.

“Temperatures should be in the 20s Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the 30s on Saturday and possible 40s on Sunday, said National Weather Service Meteorologist Jason Gosselin. “We’re looking at normal temperatures returning hopefully by early next week.’’

Temperatures could reach 50 with sunshine by Monday, he said.

How are the roads?

Illinois Department of Transportation District 8 officials said early Tuesday morning that while the snowfall had finally stopped, extreme cold and strong winds are slowing the cleanup of area highways.

IDOT also reported some local agencies halted snow plowing late last night and continued this morning.

In a statement, the district urged drivers to use “extreme caution” while traveling in southern Illinois and to expect quickly changing pavement conditions. The district said every available plow operator is currently working on area roads.

Monday night the district reported snow was falling faster than plow operators could clear them in the metro-east.

By mid-morning Tuesday, interstates in the metro-east were still covered with snow and ice to varying degrees as road crews continued their work, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation site about road conditions.

Illinois State Police reported as of 11 a.m. Tuesday that it had handled 171 calls for motorist assistance and 34 traffic accidents, including four with injuries. The conditions of those hurt were not available.

The State Police issued a release asking commuters to stay home: “IDOT is still working diligently to clear the roads, but roadways are still hazardous and drivers should stay home. If they must drive, they should proceed with caution.”

Find the latest road conditions at gettingaroundillinois.com, traveler.modot.org or by calling 1-888-275-6636, and get the latest forecast at weather.gov.

Power Outages

Ameren Illinois reported several power outages throughout the metro-east and in nearby counties Tuesday morning but power was being restored by early Tuesday afternoon for most of the customers.

Over 17,000 customers primarily in Marion, Jefferson, Perry and Washington counties had lost power after a “major transmission line experienced a mechanical failure,” but by 1 p.m. the number of power outages was down to 600, according to a company spokesman Brian Bretsch.

The cause of the transmission line mechanical failure was being investigated but it likely was weather related, Bretsch said.

In Woods, near Godfrey and Bethalto, the power company reported 48 customers had lost power but that was reduced to three customers by 1 p.m.

Ameren Illinois also urged customers to manage their energy use as sub-zero temperatures continue and the demand for natural gas and electricity peaks throughout the state and region.

“Our grid is performing well,” said George Justice, Vice President, Electric Operations, Ameren Illinois. “However, conserving electricity usage will help others across the state and region and also help customers save money. We appreciate our customers’ support and understanding as we work together to lessen the strain on the nationwide energy delivery system and get through this record cold spell.”

Ameren suggests:

• Cover drafty windows.
• Set thermostats as low as comfortably possible and even lower when out of the house or sleeping.
• Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day and close them at night.
• If you have one, use your fireplace to help warm your home.
• Turn your home’s water heater temperature down to the warm setting.

Mike Koziatek contributed to this report.

This story was originally published February 16, 2021 at 8:51 AM.