Winter Roads Ahead for La Salle County
Many sources are predicting this winter will hit us with extra servings of the cold white stuff, but if you’ve lived here for any amount of time, you know we can’t trust predictions. Weather in Illinois tends to be crazy and we’re no strangers to experiencing anything from a tornado one day to an ice storm the next.
Looking back over the last few years, we’ve had a mix of mild and extra snowy winters. No one knows for sure what this winter has in store for us this year, but we do know that being prepared can save lives. So, let’s dive into ways we can be a bit more prepared this winter.
Check the forecast and road conditions in the Illinois Valley
Forecasts
There are tons of ways to keep up on the weather these days. Visiting your favorite weather website, checking your phone, or asking Alexa about today’s forecast is generally a great place to start. If a big storm is coming and you’re feeling experimental, you could even check out this new Probabilistic Snow and Ice Forecasts from the National Weather Service.
Social Media can be another useful spot to get updates on winter storms. We don’t recommend you get your weather advice from your neighbor’s uncle’s friend Joey (unless he’s a meteorologist), but there are some trusted sources you can follow on social media. We recommend following channels such as your local city’s page, your local police station, and your local newspaper. If you’re craving more excitement in your forecasts, you could also try following local storm chasers on social or great hash tags such as #ilwx.
Closings & Cancellations
Did you know that a lot of your favorite local radio stations also post closings and cancellations on their websites? Here are a few to check out:
We’ve seen an increase in recent years with winter road closures, especially I-80, I-39 and Rt. 251. Please stay home during heavy snowfalls or ice events if possible.
Road Conditions
While a lot of locals find success jumping on their local community Facebook page and asking, “How’s 251?”, a better way to get up-to-date information on road conditions, closures, and construction projects is by visiting www.gettingaroundillinois.com.
While towing is our business, there are often more accidents and vehicles in the ditch that towing companies can handle during these types of events. We don’t want to see anyone stranded or freezing. Stay home and stay safe!