Heavy snow and freezing rain are set to impact Illinois over the next 24 hours, and the Illinois Department of Transportation or IDOT along with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency or IEMA want you to be ready in case of emergency. The system that is moving through currently is set to drop snow in northern Illinois and hail and freezing rain expected in the south.  Meteorologist Llyle Barker with the National Weather Service says that this system traveled to the south that moved along the Ohio River Valley.

The public is asked to take their time getting places and anticipate poor travel conditions and slick roads. The National Weather Service has issued a storm warning, predicting heavy snow to begin falling Monday afternoon and into Tuesday. 1-8 inches of snow is expected to fall in areas between Springfield and the Wisconsin border with higher amounts the farther north you go. The concern of course to meteorologists like Barker is the snow on top of freezing rain.

IDOT is expected to have 1800 trucks and equipment working the streets to clear roads and make travel safer. If you encounter a plow, make sure you slow down and increase your driving distance and above all else remain patient. If you are traveling, take it slow especially on ramps, bridges, and intersections. Make sure your gas tank is full. Keep a cell phone, warm clothes, blankets, food, water, a first-aid kit, washer fluid, and an ice scraper in your vehicle.  Barker says more freezing rain is expected Monday evening as well.

IDOT reminds you that if you are in a vehicle crash, please stay inside your vehicle. Exiting your vehicle, especially if you’re in the roadway can be dangerous. For more information on Illinois roadway conditions visit www.gettingaroundillinois.com/.