The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for much of Central Illinois starting at 6 p.m. Monday. (Photo courtesy National Weather Service)

By Eric Stock

LINCOLN – The New Year is ready to usher in the first significant snowfall of the season.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for McLean County and much of Central Illinois from 6 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday.

The weather service says a storm system will approach the region from the northwest and move through the area Monday evening. Snowfall totals of three to six inches are likely along and north of a Macomb to Paris line, with even higher totals possible closer to Interstate 80. There's a 90 percent probability of snow.

Snow is expected to taper early Tuesday while winds could create hazardous driving conditions.

Temperatures are expected to reach the low teens on Monday while wind chills could fall to as low as -17 on Monday. A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect for much of Central Illinois until noon.

One the weather system passes, a deep freeze will set in. Temperatures are expected to remain below zero all day Wednesday.

Illinois Department of Transportation District 10 which covers much of east-central Illinois has issued a Winter Weather Travel advisory because of the threat of rapidly changing road conditions.

IDOT reports multiple slide offs and crashes on interstates 57 and 74 in Champaign and Vermillion counties on Sunday.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].