A light wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain moved through the Fairfield area last night, leaving up to an inch of snow on the ground in some locations. Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) crews were active last night treating local roadways. Highways in the general area are in normal winter driving conditions however, secondary roads including county roads still remain slick and hazardous and with temperatures not forecasted to get above freezing today, these conditions will still be a factor tonight and again for tomorrow morning for the Wednesday commute.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are expected to remain significantly below normal for this time of year. Lows are forecast to consistently fall into the 20s, with some areas even dipping into the upper teens overnight. This cold snap is colder than what is typically experienced in early December.
After the initial wintry mix exits, conditions are expected to dry out for the middle of the week, offering a brief reprieve from precipitation. However, weather models are indicating another chance for precipitation late Thursday into Friday. Forecasters are closely monitoring this potential next system.