Winter Storm in Perry, Illinois

A deepening surface low pressure system tracked northward from the Lower Mississippi Valley, passing across far western Kentucky. Cold air wrapped southward around the back side of the low, keeping precipitation frozen or freezing over parts of southern Illinois. Storm total precipitation ranged from 3 to 6 inches west of Interstate 57. Specific snow and sleet accumulations included 5 inches at Ava (near Carbondale in Jackson County), 3 inches at Carbondale, and 3 inches at Pinckneyville (in Perry County). In addition, a light glaze of ice up to one-tenth inch occurred in some places. Numerous accidents occurred. On Highway 127 south of Pinckneyville, a car went sideways into a skid and crossed into the path of a semi. The two vehicles crashed, and both people in the car were killed.