Illinois Winter Storm Targets Southern Counties With Potential 20-Inch Snow Totals by Sunday Evening
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS — A dangerous and potentially historic winter storm is intensifying across southern Illinois, with meteorologists now warning that a focused corridor could receive 20 inches or more of snow by the time the system winds down Sunday evening.
The most concerning snowfall zone is highlighted across parts of south-central and southeastern Illinois, where snow has already been piling up rapidly overnight and conditions are expected to worsen through the day.
20-Inch Snow Corridor Centers on Benton, Mount Vernon, and Carmi
Forecast maps show a narrow but intense snow band stretching from Benton and Mount Vernon eastward through Carmi and Olney, placing these communities in the bullseye for extreme accumulations.
Reports indicate 9 inches of snow had already fallen in Benton, Illinois by 2:23 a.m., with another 8 to 12 inches expected before snowfall tapers later Sunday. If current trends continue, total accumulations could exceed 20 inches in localized areas.
This type of snowfall is uncommon for the region and poses a serious threat to travel, infrastructure, and emergency response.
Heavy Snow Expands Across Multiple Southern Illinois Cities
Beyond the core 20-inch zone, heavy snow is also impacting surrounding communities including Chester, Belleville, Salem, Marion, Edwardsville, Vandalia, and Effingham.
Snowfall rates within the strongest bands are expected to remain high for several hours, allowing totals to climb quickly even outside the most extreme corridor. Roads are becoming snow-covered faster than plows can keep up, especially on rural and secondary routes.
Travel Conditions Rapidly Deteriorating as Snow Continues
With snow falling steadily and temperatures remaining cold, officials warn that road conditions will continue to deteriorate throughout the day. Visibility may drop significantly during heavier bursts, and untreated roads are likely to remain snow-packed.
Residents are being urged to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly in areas where snowfall totals are approaching or exceeding a foot.
Storm Could Set Local Snowfall Records
Meteorologists monitoring this system note that the narrow but intense snow band setup increases the risk of localized record-breaking snowfall totals. Small shifts in the storm’s track could still influence exactly where the highest amounts fall, but confidence is growing that southern Illinois will see some of the most extreme impacts.
The storm is expected to gradually weaken later Sunday evening, but lingering snow and cleanup challenges will extend into the new week. CabarrusWeekly will continue tracking this major winter storm and provide updates as conditions evolve across the Midwest and beyond.
