Careful during your morning commute snow, ice on area roads

Most of the snow further to the south, but officials report area roadways are a bit slick this Monday morning. The winter storm system dumped several inches of snow and significant ice accumulations throughout much of Illinois.

The IDOT office at Ottawa reports I-57 is clear with a few scattered slick spots. Rural areas in Iroquois, Ford, Livingston and Kankakee counties have some slick roads. Roads are about 75% bare.

Light snow, some freezing drizzle and cold temperatures will make the morning commute a bit hazardous. The National Weather Service reports varied snow amounts.

Meteorologist James Auten said "With the temperatures not expected to get above freezing until Friday, drivers should be careful, especially early in the week."

Illinois State police reported several accidents along I-57 and I-74. Roads crews throughout Central Illinois were called out early Sunday morning to treat slick spots with salt. No serious injuries were reported as of Sunday night.

Southern Illinois was affected initially with accumulations of freezing rain, followed by a changeover to heavy snow. Snow totals of 8 to 12 inches were common between Interstate 70 and the Ohio River, with the heaviest passing through Mount Vernon to near Lawrenceville.

The forecast calls for cold temperatures today, with a high of 23 degrees, but with wind gusts as high as 23 miles per hour, dropping the wind chill factor to 3 degrees. Temperatures are expected to remain in the middle 20s Tuesday through Thursday. Friday's high is expected to be 33 degrees, but there is no precipitation in the forecast for the remainder of the week.