Winter Weather in White, Illinois

A large area of snow occurred along and to the east of a well-defined surface low pressure trough. East of the surface trough, northeasterly surface winds kept cold air in place. Warmer air moving in aloft created conditions favorable for snow. As the low pressure trough moved east across the region, the snow ended in its wake. Snowfall totals were generally from 1 to 2 inches along and south of Route 13, which extends from Carbondale and Marion east across Harrisburg to the Ohio River. Specific snowfall totals included: 2.5 inches in Mound City (Pulaski County), 2 inches in Metropolis and Cairo, 1.5 inches in northwest Pope County, and 1 inch at Murphysboro. Due to very cold temperatures, roads quickly became snow-packed and very slippery. Numerous accidents were reported. In White County, a fatal vehicle crash occurred on Route 1 about two miles south of Norris City. A 17-year-old female lost control of her vehicle on a snow-covered bridge, then crossed into the lane of oncoming traffic. She was struck by a tractor-trailer rig and pronounced dead at a local hospital.