WX BLOG: Freezing Rain impacts Central Illinois
Winter Weather Center: Live Traffic Updates
Weather Map Room: Live Current Conditions
Snow Bear Closings and Delays
GCMS Schools posted on Facebook the following message.
'Good morning,Due to the likelihood of inclement weather, the HOIC Music Festival Concert that was scheduled for this evening (2/5/25) has been cancelled. For those that purchased tickets, the conference is working on refunding your money.Thank you,Mr. Bielfeldt
School districts are beginning to dismiss school early west of Springfield, including in Jacksonville and Virginia. Watch the list of weather-related early dismissals as they come in here.
LIST: School Closings and Delays
We know of several area schools that already have pre-planned school dismissals today for teacher in-service and work days. Those schools that had it on the calendar and are already planning on dismissing early are not going to be included in our list. Check with your local district calendar if you have questions.
First signs of a glaze of ice in NW Springfield this morning. Also have a report of a coating of ice in Chatham along I-55.
Radar shows freezing drizzle and rain moving into the area. The next few hours, impacts will start to increase.
Here's a forecast update from WCIA 3 News at 9a with Meteorologist Jacob Dickey
IMPACTS BY TIMING: Here's a look at how impacts are anticipated across cities in our area. If your city isn't listed, find the cities nearest you and that's a similar forecast for you.
Highest impacts occur where freezing rain lasts the longest north of I-74. Going to watch Decatur/Champaign/Danville for potentially higher impacts into the afternoon commute, pending where temperatures sit with that magic 32° number we need to get to end ice.
Radar may not show the precipitation on a day like today as it starts because often drizzle is shallow and forms/falls below the radar beam!
We know there is freezing drizzle from your reports in the morning as well as looking at some of our cameras in the area.
Ice now showing up on some of the cameras from Jacksonville into Western Illinois. Slippery conditions are not far away. Remember, you can see the latest road conditions on the WCIA 3 Winter Weather Center and the WCIA 3 News and Weather Apps.
You can find the latest forecast details updated on the WCIA 3 Weather Forecast on the Weather Now Article.
Don't forget some of the safety things related to ice on roads. Be extra cautious on bridges, but even surface roads that are untreated can ice up quickly. Avoid using your brakes and turning if you can. You want to try and coast across the ice if you hit a slippery patch.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Illinois State FFA Convention This Week
Meteorologist Jacob Dickey is joined by members of the Mahomet-Seymour FFA Chapter to talk more about what they are doing and the upcoming State FFA Convention in Springfield. You can learn more about the Illinois FFA Association on Facebook and watch the livestream of State FFA Convention from anywhere by visiting here. See all of Jacob's Ag in the Classroom segments on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Incredible pictures show Aussie towns blanketed in snow as millions issued stark warning
A powerful polar blast has delivered a shivering start to winter across Australia's southeast, dumping snow on alpine regions and sweeping icy winds as far north as Queensland, while coating parts of regional New South Wales and Victoria in white. Pictures emerging from regions like Cooma and Canberra show cars buried, fields dusted in snow, and roads turned to ski runs. Thredbo and Perisher have recorded upwards of 40cm of fresh snow — some of the most significant early-season falls in recent years — as freezing air rushed in from the Southern Ocean. In NSW, snowfalls were reported across the Central Tablelands, Blue Mountains, and Snowy Mountains, with residents waking to scenes more typical of Scandinavia than regional Australia. "It's absolutely dumping," one Perisher local said. "We've had around 45cm already and it's still going." In Cooma, locals shared extraordinary footage showing rooftops and front lawns blanketed in snow. "This is the most I've seen fall here in years," one resident posted online. In Orange, snow fell across Sunday and into Monday morning, with locals sharing videos of flurries drifting through town. The Snowy Mountains lived up to their name, with conditions turning treacherous for two hikers near Mt Kosciuszko, who became trapped in whiteout blizzard conditions on Saturday. The 31-year-old man and 28-year-old woman activated an emergency beacon, prompting a major rescue operation. "Due to the weather, including low visibility, a helicopter was unable to reach the pair," NSW Police said. "Officers from the Alpine Operations Unit hiked into the location and reached the man and woman about 10.40pm." The pair were brought to safety around 4am Sunday, both uninjured. The ACT has also been swept up in the chill, with Canberra facing gusty winds, sleet and a maximum of just 8 degrees on Monday. Wind chill made it feel far colder, with apparent temperatures hovering close to zero in exposed areas throughout the day. A very cold start to the morning as snow falls over the hills of 9th June 2025 8.00am#canberra #snow #ACT #Australia #winter — Timothy Dean Photographer (@TimothyDeanAU) June 8, 2025 Police have reminded the public to drive cautiously on icy roads. "With recent heavy snowfalls impacting these roads, drivers need to be prepared for changing conditions. Please ensure your vehicle is roadworthy and well equipped with extra supplies should you become stranded in snowy conditions, as help can often be a long way away," NSW Highway Patrol said. People driving in the Snowy Mountains are required to carry chains and fit them when directed. Icy blast and snow hit one state 'Treacherous': Six trapped in snow for days Road warning over King's Birthday long weekend amid wild weather Further south, Victoria copped a full-force blast of wintry weather, with more than 50cm of snow falling at Mt Hotham and motorists caught off guard. Six people remain stranded after becoming trapped in their vehicles by heavy snowfall on Saturday night. At around 10.50pm, approximately 20 travellers were caught out by the snow while driving along the Blue Rag Range Track at Mount Hotham. The group was forced to spend the night in their cars as conditions worsened. By Sunday, Victoria Police and State Emergency Service (SES) crews had managed to rescue 13 of them. Amid the difficult conditions, a man in his 40s sustained injuries when his vehicle rolled. A fire truck that had been sent to assist also became bogged down in the snow. The remaining six people were unable to be rescued and had to endure temperatures that dropped to -4.3° degrees overnight. SES Regional Duty Officer James Boler described the rescue conditions as "pretty treacherous." Our VICSES Bright and Falls Creek Unit volunteers are currently assisting @VictoriaPolice with the rescue of more than 20 people stuck in their vehicles near Hotham Heights, following more than 50cm of snowfall in the area over the weekend (1/3) — VICSES News (@vicsesnews) June 8, 2025 Meanwhile, the sudden dump has kicked off a bumper start to the ski season, with Thredbo opening for skiing and launching its winter festivities. Visitors flooded the alpine village for the weekend, despite road warnings and icy conditions. "The vibe has been electric," a Thredbo spokesperson said. "It's been a dream opening weekend with fresh snow, music, and après ski events." Weather warnings remain in place across higher parts of southeastern Australia as the system continues to push through, bringing strong winds, freezing overnight lows and dangerous driving conditions. Authorities are urging anyone heading to alpine or elevated areas to plan ahead. "Be prepared for extreme conditions. Fill out a trip intention form, carry a personal locator beacon, and check the forecast before heading out," NSW Police warned. Despite the cold, many Australians are embracing the change of pace, particularly after years of inconsistent snow seasons. As the snap continues to sweep the country's southeast, more snow is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday in alpine regions, while cities like Sydney and Melbourne will feel the chill with strong southwesterly winds and icy nights. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Yahoo
Why the direction your fan spins is key to a cooler summer
(NEXSTAR) – An often overlooked switch on ceiling fans could be the key to staying a bit cooler this summer. If you've ever taken a close look at the fan, you may have noticed a small switch located on the side of the fan base. The switch, which is found on nearly every fan, can change the direction the fan spins. Using that switch according to the season will not only keep you more comfortable, but it can also help you save money. In the summer, make sure that your fan is going in a counterclockwise direction, which forces cool air directly downward and creates a 'wind chill effect,' according to Home Depot. In the winter, you can switch it up so the fan rotates clockwise at a low speed, circulating the warm air that gets trapped near the ceiling. If you have ceiling fans as well as air conditioning, using the fan correctly will allow you to raise the thermostat by roughly 4 degrees Fahrenheit and still feel just as comfortable, according to the Department of Energy. In moderately hot weather, you may even be able to turn off the AC. The DOE reminds people to turn off fans in unoccupied rooms. If you're in the market for a ceiling fan, larger fan blades will move more air than smaller ones, but you have to make sure it's an appropriate size for the space. The Department of Energy recommends a 36- or 44-inch diameter fan for rooms up to 225 square feet. If the room is larger, consider a fan that is 52 inches or more, but keep in mind that if the room is longer than 18 feet one fan may not be enough. Ventilation with the proper fan will allow you to raise the thermostat by roughly 4 degrees without discomfort, according to the Department of Energy. Following recent trends, this summer is expected to be especially brutal, according to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center. The report, issued in mid-May, found that all states are favored to experience above-average summer heat. The likelihood of a scorching summer varies regionally with the following states seeing the highest probability, according to NOAA: Texas, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona and New Mexico. New England, south Florida and a large swath of the Mountain West are also at an elevated likelihood of a hotter-than-normal summer. Alix Martichoux contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
