By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – High winds combined with dry snow to create treacherous driving conditions in rural areas in Central Illinois.
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for McLean, Woodford, DeWitt, Piatt, Champaign and Vermillion counties until 9 a.m.
Mark Leake with the McLean County Highway Garage said there’s no point in trying to plow these outlying roads where there’s nothing to stop the wind.
“Visibility is zero. I have one truck stuck in Hudson. I have one truck stuck in LeRoy,” Leake said. “The rest of them are sitting in the shed because they can’t see to go.”
Leake said his crews are waiting out the high winds because of limited visibility.
NWS reported strong northwest winds gusting to 45 miler per hour are producing areas of blowing snow and near whiteout conditions until 9 a.m.
Temperatures will continue to drop on Tuesday, falling to a low of 5.
Check updated cancellations here and Illinois road conditions here.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
