Good Saturday morning. Current radar at 5:30am CST is showing a wave working across Missouri that will spread a rain/snow mix over southern Illinois this morning, and another wave of light snow over northwest Iowa that will spread light snow over northern Illinois this afternoon.
Overall thinking for today’s forecast remains the same from yesterday. A southern wave will first affect the state this morning, bringing rain and snow to the southern half of the state. Dry air will initially eat up some of the moisture, but the presence of dry air will help the column cool to allow some wet snow near I-70 this morning. This could create a dusting on some of the grass and elevated areas, but impact to roads are not likely. This southern wave should move out of southern Illinois by noon. A secondary wave from the northwest will push into western Illinois by 11am, and light precipitation over central/northern Illinois from noon to 3pm, exiting northeast Illinois by 6-7pm CT. Here is how the forecast radar shapes up throughout the day:
As far as accumulations, a dusting to 1″ will be possible for northern Illinois, with minimal accumulations south due to mixing of rain and above freezing temperatures.
The warming temperatures thanks to a south wind will aid in limiting travel impacts. Northern portions of the state will be coldest, and colder pavement temperatures here may support a few slick spots this afternoon mainly on untreated surfaces. Watch for the potential of any moisture remaining to re-freeze tonight.
It does appear fog will be possible overnight mainly in southern portions of the state due to the combination of clearing skies over the moist ground. With temperatures just below freezing, some freezing fog is possible and could create a few slick spots into early Sunday.
