The National Weather Service in Lincoln is following a winter storm that will lift northeast from the lower Mississippi Valley, reaching central Tennessee by Wednesday morning, then into West Virginia by Wednesday evening. This type of track would favor the potential for heavy snow across portions of southern Illinois and western Indiana.

Snow is expected to spread northward across southeast Illinois around midnight, and into east central Illinois overnight. This will continue through much of Wednesday before diminishing from west to east. Areas along and south of the I-70 corridor have the best potential for seeing 5 to 10 inches of snow, with the highest totals toward Olney and Lawrenceville.

Snowfall amounts taper off to the north of I-70, with little or no snow expected northwest of I-55. North winds of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts to 40 mph, will lead to blowing and drifting snow as well.

As a result of this storm, a Blizzard Warning is in effect for Coles, Edgar, Effingham, Cumberland, and Clark Counties, and counties to the south. 3 to 7 inches along with high winds are expected overnight into the day on Wednesday.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Champaign, Douglas, Moultrie, Shelby, and Fayette Counties, where one to 4 inches is expected overnight into the day on Wednesday, along with high winds.

Given the high travel activity associated with the holidays, people traveling across the Midwest through Wednesday should check the latest forecasts before departing, and be prepared to make adjustments to travel plans as necessary.