Winter Snow Storm in Central Illinois

Not as Much as Predicted in Some Areas

On Thursday afternoon, central Illinois began getting hit with the a snowstorm for the new year. It began as a light snow, which quickly turned into blowing snow that began accumulating within just a few hours. Residents around the area began preparations by filling up nearby convenience stores to stock up on groceries for their homes. Some employees left early Thursday afternoon to beat the traffic and to hopefully return to their home safely.

As the day went on, snow began piling up by the hour. During some points, the snow would let up like it was going to quit, and then once again, the snow began falling from the sky again. By Thursday evening, schools and businesses around the area began announcing cancellations for the night. College evening classes were canceled, and some staff didn't have to report for work that evening. Varsity and junior varsity basketball games were canceled for Thursday and Friday in the areas of Decatur, Arthur, Arcola, Mattoon, Neoga, and Windsor. Many of the games were rescheduled for Saturday.

The snow fell all through the night on Thursday and partially Friday morning, but central Illinois didn't get as much snow that was predicted the first time around. While snowfall wasn't as great as other areas, there was still enough to have schools and businesses close for an extended three day weekend. By the time of 10:30pm, Thursday night, almost every school in the area had announced their closures for Friday, and businesses were closed for Friday also. The Coles County courthouse in Mattoon, Illinois also closed on Friday. It was only the second time that it had closed in twenty years.