Indiana and Illinois – A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect overnight into early Friday for portions of southwest Indiana and southern Illinois, where light snow is expected to create slick and potentially hazardous travel conditions during the early morning hours.
Meteorologists say a fast-moving Alberta Clipper system is tracking through the Ohio Valley, producing light but persistent snowfall. While totals are not expected to be heavy, cold surface temperatures could allow snow to accumulate quickly on roadways, bridges, and overpasses.
Advisory areas and timing
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, advisory timings vary slightly by location.
In Indiana, Pike County remains under a Winter Weather Advisory until 7 a.m. EST Friday, with snowfall expected to affect Petersburg and nearby communities.
Across southern Illinois and neighboring Indiana counties, the advisory continues until 6 a.m. CST Friday. Affected counties include Wayne, Edwards, and Wabash in Illinois, along with Gibson, Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Spencer counties in Indiana.
These areas fall within the core zone where light snow is most likely to cause early-morning travel concerns.
Expected snowfall amounts
Forecasters say snowfall rates will remain light throughout the event, but accumulation is still possible.
Parts of southwest Indiana could see up to 2 inches of snow, especially in areas farther northeast within the advisory zone. Across southern Illinois, totals are expected to be lighter, generally up to 1 inch.
Even small amounts of snow can have an outsized impact when temperatures remain cold, allowing snow to stick to pavement rather than melting on contact.
Travel impacts during the morning commute
The timing of the snowfall could affect the Friday morning commute, particularly on untreated roads and rural routes.
Road temperatures are expected to remain cold enough for snow to accumulate on:
- Bridges and overpasses
- Secondary and rural roads
- Less-traveled neighborhood streets
While visibility reductions are expected to be minor, traction may be limited, especially before sunrise when road crews have had less time to treat surfaces.
Forecasters note that slightly higher snowfall totals are possible in areas farther northeast within the advisory area, which could lead to localized slick spots.
What drivers should know
Officials urge motorists to take extra precautions if traveling overnight or early Friday morning.
Drivers are advised to:
- Slow down and increase following distance
- Allow extra travel time
- Use caution on bridges and elevated roadways
- Avoid sudden braking or sharp turns
Road conditions can change quickly, particularly as light snow continues to fall over already cold pavement.
Motorists can check updated road conditions through the National Weather Service Paducah road conditions page, which provides the latest travel and weather impacts for the region at weather.gov/pah/roads.
When conditions will improve
Snow is expected to taper off shortly after daybreak Friday as the clipper system moves east of the region.
However, officials warn that isolated slick spots may linger into the early morning hours, especially in shaded areas and on untreated surfaces. As temperatures slowly rise later in the morning, conditions should gradually improve.
Why light snow can still be dangerous
Even light snowfall events can lead to a disproportionate number of accidents, particularly during peak travel times. Cold pavement allows snow to compact quickly, reducing tire grip and increasing stopping distances.
Transportation officials emphasize that most winter weather crashes occur during light snow events, not major storms, because drivers may underestimate the risk.
What happens next
No additional winter advisories are expected once this system exits the region, but forecasters continue to monitor temperature trends and road conditions through the morning hours.
Residents are encouraged to stay alert for any last-minute updates from local officials and weather services.
Share your experiences in the comments below if you’re traveling through Indiana or Illinois this morning and encountering slick road conditions.
