SOUTHERN ILLINOIS - Welcome to winter weather, the first snowfall of which ensures whether or not people remember how to drive since the LAST snowfall we had.
Everybody is kinda flipping out about the potential for snow starting very early in the morning tomorrow, Thursday, January 5. NOAA of course is issuing Winter Weather Advisories, and Illinois State Police are doing their part to send out reminders of how to drive in snow. Yes. That's what it's about...because so many people DO forget how to drive. Feature this:
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With the prediction of falling temperatures and snow beginning tonight into Thursday morning, Illinois State Police (ISP) District 12 is reminding motorists to take the necessary precautions before getting behind the wheel. Vehicle safety is equally important to driving safely while on the roadways.
"Winter weather brings additional challenges and responsibilities for drivers," said District 12 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt. "We ask that drivers be well prepared: Allow extra time to reach your destination,
ensure passengers in the vehicle are securely restrained, drive defensively, and confirm that your vehicle is properly maintained to handle the effects of cold temperatures," added Captain Ristvedt.
Stranded motorists are encouraged to remain inside their vehicles and wait for first responders to arrive. Motorists involved in accidents that do not require emergency assistance may file a crash report within 10 days at the nearest police station.
Illinois State Police also want to remind motorists to yield to emergency and snow removal equipment. Scott's Law (Move-Over Law) requires drivers to reduce speed, change lanes if possible, and proceed with due caution when approaching emergency vehicles. Further, a new law that took effect on January 1, 2017 will require motorists to slow down and move over for any disabled motorist exhibiting hazard lights.
Other safety tips include:
· Make sure someone is aware of your travel route.
· Dress warmly - choose layers of clothing in anticipation of unexpected winter weather emergencies.
· Keep your gas tank at least two-thirds full to prevent the vehicle's fuel line from freezing. Plenty of fuel is also important if your vehicle becomes stranded.
· Don't crowd the plow - remember, a snowplow operator's field of vision is restricted. You may see them, but they may not see you.
· Watch out for black ice - roads that appear clear may be treacherous. Take it slow when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges, and shady areas - all are prone to black ice.
· Have an emergency car care kit that contains jumper cables, a flashlight, a small ice scraper, blankets, gloves, food items, water, and a first aid kit.
· Carry a cell phone AND charger.
· Always wear a safety belt.
Motorists are urged to check travel conditions before any trip. You may get interstate condition information by calling 1-800-452-IDOT (4368) or on the Internet at www.gettingaroundillinois.com.
For additional winter travel information:
Like us on Facebook at Illinois State Police District 12 Effingham
Follow us on Twitter @ISPDistrict12
Instagram at ISP District 12
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Here it comes. Looks blue and gray to me.
Here's what NOAA has to say about north counties:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
258 PM CST WED JAN 4 2017
SHELBY-CUMBERLAND-CLARK-EFFINGHAM-JASPER-CRAWFORD-CLAY-RICHLAND-LAWRENCE- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...SHELBYVILLE...GREENUP...MARSHALL...EFFINGHAM...NEWTON...ROBINSON...FLORA...OLNEY...LAWRENCEVILLE
258 PM CST WED JAN 4 2017
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 3 PM CST THURSDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LINCOLN HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 3 PM CST THURSDAY.
* TIMING...SNOW WILL SPREAD EAST ACROSS SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS AROUND 2 OR 3 AM OVERNIGHT AND THEN DIMINISH FROM THE WEST DURING MID AFTERNOON THURSDAY. THE HEAVIEST SNOWS WILL BE ALONG AND SOUTH OF I-70.
* ACCUMULATIONS...2 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW.
* WINDS...NORTHWEST 5 TO 10 MPH.
* IMPACTS...THE WINTRY PRECIPITATION WILL RESULT IN HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS...ESPECIALLY ON BRIDGES... OVERPASSES...AND UNTREATED ROADS. PARKING LOTS AND SIDEWALKS WILL BECOME SLIPPERY AS WELL.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.
And south and central counties:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
119 PM CST WED JAN 4 2017
JEFFERSON-WAYNE IL-EDWARDS-WABASH-PERRY IL-FRANKLIN-HAMILTON-WHITE-JACKSON-WILLIAMSON-SALINE-GALLATIN-GIBSON-PIKE-POSEY-VANDERBURGH-PERRY MO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MOUNT VERNON...FAIRFIELD...ALBION...MOUNT CARMEL...PINCKNEYVILLE...WEST FRANKFORT...MCLEANSBORO...CARMI...CARBONDALE...MURPHYSBORO...HERRIN...HARRISBURG...SHAWNEETOWN...FORT BRANCH...PETERSBURG...POSEYVILLE...EVANSVILLE...PERRYVILLE
119 PM CST WED JAN 4 2017
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM CST THURSDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PADUCAH HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM CST THURSDAY GENERALLY NORTH AND WEST OF A LINE FROM PETERSBURG INDIANA TO SHAWNEETOWN ILLINOIS TO PERRYVILLE MISSOURI.
* TIMING: SNOW WILL SPREAD EASTWARD ACROSS THE ADVISORY AREA STARTING LATE TONIGHT.
* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM ONE TO THREE INCHES...WITH THE HIGHEST ACCUMULATION EXPECTED GENERALLY NORTH OF INTERSTATE 64.
* MAIN IMPACT: WITH TEMPERATURES WELL BELOW FREEZING THE SNOW WILL RESULT IN HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS LATE TONIGHT AND THURSDAY...ESPECIALLY ON BRIDGES...OVERPASSES AND UNTREATED ROADS. PARKING LOTS AND SIDEWALKS WILL BECOME SLIPPERY AS WELL.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.