Ice Storm — Champaign, Illinois

2024-01-22 to 2024-01-23 · Champaign, Illinois

Event narrative

A period of freezing rain resulted in ice accumulations. A broadcast meteorologist reported a quarter inch of ice in Champaign. There were numerous car accidents or slide-offs. Carle Hospital in Urbana reported 47 fall injuries. Transportation services were also impacted, with Champaign buses rerouted and Willard Airport suspending operations due to the icing. Conditions improved during the overnight hours as temperatures warmed and ice melted.

Wider weather episode

Low-level warm air advection overrunning cold surface air resulted in light freezing rain developing on the morning of Monday, January 22, continuing into that evening. Hazardous travel conditions and slippery surfaces developed and contributed to numerous car accidents and fall injuries across central Illinois. Regional transportation services were delayed or suspended. Ice accumulations from the event ranged from a glaze to a quarter inch. Conditions improved into the overnight hours as temperatures warmed above freezing.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1160161. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.