Slick Roads Possible through Midweek

Snow totals on Saturday didn't amount to much, about an inch across the Stateline, but it was just enough to make roads a mess. Now most highways, interstates, and main roads are clear but secondary and rural roads are still partially snow and ice covered. If you are heading out on one of those types of roads, you'll want to allow extra time to get to where you need to go.

While temperatures are forecast to stay below freezing this week, and with more snow on the way, those roads won't see much improvement. Rock salts used to treat roads in winter are less effective when temperatures stay below 20 degrees. Temperatures will stay below 20° through Thursday morning.

We will also add a little more snow to the roads later today with a fast moving clipper system that will drop in from Canada, dive through the Dakotas and Iowa, and will swing into northern Illinois. Overall about a half to an inch of snow is expected this afternoon and evening. With not much moisture, snow to liquid ratios will be high. This means that dry and fluffy snow will be falling, allowing it to accumulate quickly on roads, allowing them to be slick.

The snow will be done with by Tuesday morning, but winds will really pick up behind the departing low pressure system. Because the snow is on the dry fluffy side, it will be easy for those northwest winds to blow the snow around. Winds will gust from the northwest at 20-30mph late tonight and tomorrow morning. You'll want to allow for extra time to get to your destination tomorrow morning with the blowing snow causing some road issues. Chills tomorrow will be as low as 15 below zero.

Keep the gas tank full, your phone charged, and keep extra coats and food in the car in case you get stranded. Temperatures warm closer to 30 degrees by the end of the week.