After a couple days of a winter storm watch called for today, tomorrow, and Saturday, the National Weather Service has changed it to a warning. Snow and blowing snow can produce white-out conditions that make it hard or impossible to see where you’re going. Wind chills could drop to -35 or less with wind gusts of more than 50 miles per hour. That can cause frostbite in as little as 20 minutes. There’s also a risk of power outages due to falling power lines. The winter storm warning is from 9am today through 6am Saturday.
Anyone traveling should go with an emergency kit that includes a flashlight, food, and water. And check road conditions ahead of time. One resource is GettingAroundIllinois.com.
St. Margaret’s Health will have a warming center open at each hospital today through Monday from 7am to 8pm. At the Spring Valley Hospital, it’s in the presentation room on the first floor. At the Peru hospital, it’s in the cafeteria on the first floor.