The first winter storm is on its way to northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.
The website weather.com is calling it “Winter Storm Bella,” and predicts significant snow from Iowa to Michigan. Snow totals range from 4 to 10 inches -- with the possibility for more is circumstances are right.
Northern Illinois University forecasters say to expect light rain and snow starting around 9 p.m. tonight and quickly becoming all snow and intensifying rapidly after midnight. Tonight’s low temperature will be in the upper 20s.
Tomorrow will be cloudy and windy with snow – some of it heavy. Snow should diminish around noon to light snow and flurries and ending around dusk. Some blowing snow will be likely in open and rural areas.
Skies are expected to clear Saturday evening, leading to a very cold night with low temperatures near 10 degrees or lower.
WNIJ is receiving alerts from various municipalities and organizations, and we update this list as we receive them.
For the latest information, you should check the website of your municipality or organization.
Beloit, Wis.
Beloit has declared a snow emergency from 11 p.m. tonight through 6 p.m. Saturday. On-street parking is prohibited. Vehicles should be parked in a driveway or an approved off-street parking lot. Police may ticket and/or tow away -- at the owner’s expense -- any vehicle found in violation. A list of available parking lots is on the city website.
Loves Park
Loves Park will begin its snow parking ordinance once two inches of snow have fallen. On-street parking is prohibited until snow has been plowed to the side of the street. Vehicles that do not follow ordinance are subjected to towing and/or fines. More details are available on Loves Park's website.
Machesney Park
Machesney Park has declared a snow emergency effective at 10 p.m. tonight.
During this emergency, no vehicles may park on any road, road shoulder or ditch until it has been completely cleared of snow. Violators may be fined and the vehicle towed at the owner's expense.
Rochelle
Rochelle's winter storm parking ordinance will commence once three inches of snow have fallen. Parking on streets is not recommended, but permissible under certain expectations.
Rochelle is following the odd/even parking ordinance. Winter weather results in high volume of calls to the Rochelle Police Department, so delays should be expected.
Rockford
Rockford has been placed under a “snow emergency” as of 9 p.m. tonight, with the odd/even parking ordinance in effect.
Cars should be parked on the even side of the street -- or off the street -- tonight and moved to the odd side of the street starting by 8 a.m. Saturday.
The snow emergency will be in effect until further notice.
City officials remind residents of these facts about the emergency:
- On streets marked “No Parking” on one side, parking is permitted on the restricted side while the Snow Emergency Declaration is in effect.
- Alternate parking must be observed until the Snow Emergency has been lifted.
- All cars must be moved to the correct side of the street at 8:00 a.m.