Winter storm updates: Tracking the snow and road conditions

 12AM UPDATE: Steady snow still ongoing for much of the Stateline, but the end is in sight across Eastern Iowa. After 2AM, snow will begin to taper off, but wind will be picking up from the Northwest (20-30 mph gusts). Blowing and drifting snow will remain a concern into midday Sunday, especially on open and rural roads. Road conditions should improve greatly by morning as plows are able to keep up with the lighter rates of snow.

9:15PM UPDATE: North of I-88 will likely continue to see steady snow persist beyond midnight. But snow will become more scattered throughout the night as winds pick back up from the Northwest. Blowing and drifting snow will remain a concern into Sunday.

7:15PM UPDATE: Steady to heavy snow continues to push across the Stateline with snow rates near 1"/hour at times. Visibility will remain limited below a mile while the snow is coming down. Some roads are "impassable" in Boone County according to the sheriff's office, so avoid travel if at all possible!

5:40PM UPDATE: Real heavy burst of snow developing along the Stateline in Green/Jo Daviess/Stephenson Counties, moving ENE. Significantly reduced visibility and faster accumulation likely in that pocket over the next hour or two as it moves along the IL/WI state line.

4:20PM UPDATE: Radar is showing a bit of a lull moving into parts of Whiteside and Lee Counties. Additional heavy snow is still expected to move in from the West, so we are not done yet. Snowfall rates up to 1" per hour remain possible through about 7-8PM.

2PM UPDATE: The heaviest snow is moving into Northern Illinois this afternoon, with snowfall rates approaching 1" per hour at times. While snow will not come down this heavy the entire time, the heaviest bands of snow will accumulate much quicker and result in very poor to dangerous travel this afternoon and evening.

Road conditions, per the Illinois and Wisconsin departments of transportation, are reporting "completely snow covered" roads across nearly the entire area. Plows are out and working, but the snow is coming down faster than roads can be cleared. Travel is not advised Saturday afternoon or evening.

Visibility is significantly limited with the falling snow and not helped any by the strong Southeast winds. Visibility is down near a half mile for most in the Stateline, and some down to a quarter mile.

Heaviest snow will persist through about 8PM this evening, with snowfall rates up to 1" per hour. Snow will ease up some after 8PM, but blowing and drifting will remain a concern through the evening and into the night. Snowfall tapers off by 6AM Sunday morning. Winds will flip to come from the Northwest Sunday morning, which will continue the threat for blowing and drifting even after the winter storm warnings expire at 6AM.