Central Illinois was nearly shut down this week thanks to extreme weather brought on by “Winter Storm Landon”. Landon started, locally, on Tuesday evening with rain that turned to sleet, followed quickly by snowfall that had accumulated at an inch per hour in some places. According to the National Weather Service, Mackinaw received 10 inches of snow on Tuesday and Wednesday, with some communities in the area reaching the 12 inch mark. In Fulton County, Lewistown reported almost 14 and a half inches, with Canton receiving just over a foot of snow. Gen. Wayne A. Downing International Airport, in Peoria, officially received 10.6 inches.

Winter Storm Landon is the result of arctic air from Canada colliding with warmer air from the south-east, which brought a storm system that stretched from eastern Texas, through most of the Plains States, and up into New England. In severely affected areas, around 246,000 homes and businesses lost power as ice totals approached an inch in some spots.

In anticipation of the severe winter storm, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker issued a disaster declaration Tuesday afternoon. 130 members of the Illinois National Guard were activated to ensure state resources were available to combat heavy snow, ice, and “blizzard conditions” that were expected. In a statement to the media, Pritzker said “I’m authorizing a disaster proclamation for Winter Storm Landon, effective immediately, to support local government disaster response and recovery operations wherever necessary. I want to assure county and local officials and everyone in the path of the storm that my administration will provide resources every step of the way. On the ground, all state assets stand ready to assist. I encourage everyone to do what you can to stay safe: listen to local authorities to stay up to date with the latest conditions in your community and make sure your household has essentials.”

For their part, the Illinois Department of Transportation dispatched up to 1,800 snow plows throughout the state in an attempt to deal with road conditions that some state officials called “nearly impassable”. On their social media pages, IDOT continues to ask motorists to slow down, allow themselves extra time, and remember to give snow plows a wide berth. In an updated post from 11:00 A.M. Saturday morning, IDOT informs residents that most central Illinois roadways are still considered “partially covered in ice and snow” and that travel hazards still exist.

Lingering impacts from Winter Storm Landon could exist in central Illinois until Monday, as temps are expected to remain below freezing and strong winds may persist. However, temperatures will start to rise, with forecasts calling for temps perhaps in the low 40’s starting Tuesday.