Heavy snow makes driving increasingly hazardous for metro-east commuters Monday afternoon
With snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour possible at times on Monday, the National Weather Service advised commuters to use “extreme caution” on the roads.
A winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service will be in effect until midnight. According to the agency’s forecast, there is a 100% chance of precipitation.
Between 2 and 4 inches of snow already covered the metro-east by Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service’s local snowfall report. More snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain, is expected after 5 p.m.
The Missouri Department of Transportation recommended that people stay home to avoid traveling icy roads on Monday morning.
The Illinois Department of Transportation’s winter conditions map showed that Interstates 64, 255, 270 and 55 were covered with snow or ice in St. Clair and Madison counties Monday. Around 11 a.m., Illinois 15 was difficult to navigate, with low visibility and drivers slowing down to 20 mph.
In an 11:43 a.m. tweet, IDOT said it expects the majority of District 8, which includes Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington counties, to see moderate to heavy snowfall for the next six to eight hours. The department has had snow plows out continuously since Sunday morning, it said.
Illinois State Police District 11 Trooper Joshua Korando said that the department handled 40 car crashes on the highways from 1:30 p.m. Sunday to 9:30 a.m. Monday. As of 11:45 a.m., Korando said police were tending to four crash and that none were serious.
The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department had responded to five weather-related crashes on Sunday, but none that were serious, said Capt. Bruce Fleshren.
Multiple school districts had canceled school for Monday. A full list of closings can be found at KSDK.com.
This story is developing and will be updated throughout the day.
This story was originally published December 16, 2019 at 6:04 AM.
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