Blizzard in Champaign, Illinois

Numerous weather observers and automated weather equipment across Champaign County reported winds in excess of 35mph and visibilities reduced to less than one quarter of a mile due to blowing snow. Several traffic accidents occurred as a result of icy road conditions and poor visibility, including one that claimed the life of a woman west of Thomasboro.

An intense area of low pressure tracked from Iowa into the eastern Great Lakes on Sunday, December 12th. The heaviest snow with this system remained well to the north across parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin: however, lighter snow ranging from 2 to 4 inches fell further south across central Illinois. As the low deepened, strong northwesterly winds gusting over 50 mph at times developed, creating white-out conditions in many locations. Sharply colder air streamed into the region behind the departing system, resulting in wind-chill values plunging well below zero into December 13th.