An area of low pressure tracked from the Southern Plains into the Ohio River Valley on February 4th, spreading snow across much of central Illinois. Moderate to heavy snow fell during the afternoon and evening, then gradually tapered off by the morning of February 5th.
Every event with a place to put it; 20 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS ILX wrote it up.
An area of low pressure tracked from the Southern Plains into the Ohio River Valley on February 4th, spreading snow across much of central Illinois. Moderate to heavy snow fell during the afternoon and evening, then gradually tapered off by the morning of February 5th. Widespread accumulations of 6 to 8 inches occurred across the heart of central Illinois from the Rushville and Jacksonville areas eastward to the Indiana border. Lesser amounts of 3 to 5 inches were observed further north from the Peoria and Bloomington areas northward and further south along and south of the I-70 corridor.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Lincoln, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 4, 2:30 PM CST, 2 hours 30 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 230 PM CST Tue Feb 4 2014 .DISCUSSION... ISSUED 220 PM CST Tue Feb 4 2014 Snow continues to expand north and east early this afternoon as the storm system tracks northeast out of the Southern Plains northeast towards the lower Ohio Valley. Across our far north, dry air in the low levels of the atmosphere have kept that area dry for now, but expect the low levels to moisten rapidly over the next with most areas seeing snow covered and hazardous roads for the drive home this evening. SHORT TERM...Tonight through Friday Focus remains on current winter storm/heavy snow threat tonight into Wednesday morning, followed by another bitterly cold air mass for Thursday and Friday mornings. No changes planned to the current headlines with storm total snowfall bumped up a bit to between 6 to 9 inches...roughly in a southwest to northeast axis from Jacksonville thru Springfield and Lincoln northeast to near Bloomington. Further north, still thinking 5 to 7 inches will accumulate by Wednesday morning, with areas over southeast Illinois seeing 4 to 6 inches by late tonight. Forecast soundings still suggest the potential for north to northwest winds to 15 to 25 mph tonight with a few gusts up to 30 mph at times late tonight into Wednesday morning which will produce some blowing and drifting snow. Needless to say, the evening rush as well as Wednesday morning's drive to work or school will be hazardous. As the snow winds down tomorrow morning, we should see the gusty winds diminish by late afternoon as the storm system pulls away. Will continue with low chance pops/very light snow or flurries over the northeast quarter of the forecast area Wednesday afternoon as low level cyclonic flow and cold air advection continues. Arctic high pressure then settles in for Wednesday night through Friday bringing another bout of bitterly cold air to most of the area. Early morning lows Thursday from 8 below to 13 below zero across the north half of our area with wind chills in the 15 to 25 below zero range. Lows Friday morning not much better with 5 to 10 below zero expected. Will have to consider wind chill advisories and warnings for those two time periods, especially for Thursday morning where there may be a bit more wind to deal with. Daytime highs on Thursday will only be in the single digits with afternoon temperatures by Friday warming a bit to the teens. LONG TERM...Saturday through Tuesday Models still having a difficult time with the split flow pattern across the lower 48 during this period as the stronger northern stream and our cold air supply holds firm up near Hudson Bay, with a rather active southern stream sending shortwaves off the Pacific east across the Southern Plains and into the Midwest about every other day this period. It appears the two streams will not phase over the weekend which will result in less of a chance for a more organized system to push northeast out of the Southern Plains and bring more snowfall to the area. Looks as if we will have to continue with an extended period of POPs during the weekend with more of a chance for periods of light snow starting Friday night and continuing at least through Sunday morning. Below normal temps will continue through the period with daytime highs not even close to the freezing mark into early next week with even some subzero temperatures returning for early morning lows again Sunday and Monday mornings, especially across the north. Smith && .AVIATION... ISSUED 1155 AM CST Tue Feb 4 2014 VFR conditions will quickly deteriorate next few hours as snow develops/spreads ne across central IL. Visiblities will lower to between 1/2-1 mile during the afternoon with ceilings lowering to IFR. Light to moderate snow to continue tonight and then diminish from sw to ne between 14Z-18Z. However blowing snow that develops during tonight will continue through Wed morning with MVFR vsbys still expected. Northeast winds 8-13 kts this afternoon to turn north during the evening and increase to around 15 kts with gusts 18-24 kts and be nnw Wednesday morning and still gusting near or above 20 kts. 1008 mb low pressure near the CO/NM border will eject ne to the KY/TN border around 06Z/midnight tonight and into the upper Ohio river valley by Wednesday morning and will be the cause of our winter storm conditions developing this afternoon and continue tonight and Wed morning. 07 && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY until Noon CST Wednesday FOR ILZ066>068- 071>073. WINTER STORM WARNING until Noon CST Wednesday FOR ILZ027>031- 036>038-040>057-061>063. &&
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL 302 PM CST TUE FEB 4 2014 ILZ027-028-030-051200- KNOX-MARSHALL-STARK- 302 PM CST TUE FEB 4 2014 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST WEDNESDAY... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT A STORM SYSTEM TRACKING FROM THE SOUTHERN ROCKIES INTO THE OHIO RIVER VALLEY WILL BRING SNOW TO CENTRAL ILLINOIS THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. CURRENT INDICATIONS SUGGEST ACCUMULATIONS AROUND 6 INCHES WILL OCCUR LATE THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING. NORTH TO NORTHWESTERLY WINDS WITH GUSTS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WILL DEVELOP BEHIND THE DEPARTING STORM SYSTEM...CREATING CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY ANOTHER SYSTEM COULD BRING SNOW BACK INTO CENTRAL ILLINOIS FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY WITH SOME LIGHT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS THEN. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE REQUIRED...ALTHOUGH SNOWFALL REPORTS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. ILZ029-031-036>038-040>057-061>063-051200- CASS-CHAMPAIGN-CHRISTIAN-CLARK-COLES-CUMBERLAND-DE WITT-DOUGLAS- EDGAR-FULTON-LOGAN-MACON-MASON-MCLEAN-MENARD-MORGAN-MOULTRIE- PEORIA-PIATT-SANGAMON-SCHUYLER-SCOTT-SHELBY-TAZEWELL-VERMILION- WOODFORD- 302 PM CST TUE FEB 4 2014 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST WEDNESDAY... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT A STORM SYSTEM TRACKING FROM THE SOUTHERN ROCKIES INTO THE OHIO RIVER VALLEY WILL BRING SNOW TO CENTRAL ILLINOIS THIS AFTERNOON INTO MID MORNING WEDNESDAY. CURRENT INDICATIONS SUGGEST ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 9 INCHES WILL OCCUR. NORTH TO NORTHWESTERLY WINDS GUSTING FROM 20 TO 30 MPH WILL DEVELOP BEHIND THE DEPARTING STORM SYSTEM... CREATING CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY ANOTHER SYSTEM COULD BRING SNOW BACK INTO CENTRAL ILLINOIS FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY WITH LIGHT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS POSSIBLE THEN. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE REQUIRED...ALTHOUGH SNOWFALL REPORTS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. ILZ066>068-071>073-051200- CLAY-CRAWFORD-EFFINGHAM-JASPER-LAWRENCE-RICHLAND- 302 PM CST TUE FEB 4 2014 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST WEDNESDAY... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT A STORM SYSTEM TRACKING FROM THE SOUTHERN ROCKIES INTO THE OHIO RIVER VALLEY WILL BRING SNOW TO SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH TONIGHT. CURRENT INDICATIONS SUGGEST ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 6 INCHES WILL OCCUR ALONG AND SOUTH OF AN EFFINGHAM TO ROBINSON LINE WITH HEAVIER AMOUNTS OVER 6 INCHES NORTH OF THIS LINE. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY ANOTHER SYSTEM COULD BRING SNOW BACK INTO SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY WITH LIGHT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS POSSIBLE THEN. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE REQUIRED...ALTHOUGH SNOWFALL REPORTS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. 07
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
233 PM CST TUE FEB 04 2014
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0215 PM SNOW SHERMAN 39.89N 89.61W
02/04/2014 M1.7 INCH SANGAMON IL NWS EMPLOYEE
1.7 INCHES OF NEW SNOW SINCE NOON. SNOW DEPTH IS 4 INCHS.
&&
SMITHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
244 PM CST TUE FEB 04 2014
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0220 PM SNOW 4 S SPRINGFIELD 39.72N 89.64W
02/04/2014 M2.0 INCH SANGAMON IL MESONET
2 INCHES OF NEW SNOW AT LAKE SPRINGFIELD. SWOP REPORT.
&&
SMITHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
250 PM CST TUE FEB 04 2014
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0245 PM SNOW 2 NE CISCO 40.03N 88.70W
02/04/2014 M2.0 INCH PIATT IL MESONET
SNOW FALLING AT THE RATE OF 1 INCH PER HOUR. SWOP REPORT.
&&
MILLERPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
322 PM CST TUE FEB 04 2014
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0314 PM SNOW SULLIVAN 39.60N 88.61W
02/04/2014 M3.0 INCH MOULTRIE IL MESONET
MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW FALLING. ROADS ARE SNOW COVERED
AND THERE IS BLOWING SNOW.
0310 PM SNOW DECATUR 39.85N 88.93W
02/04/2014 M3.0 INCH MACON IL BROADCAST MEDIA
REPORTED AT WAND-TV.
&&
MILLERPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
341 PM CST TUE FEB 04 2014
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0235 PM SNOW SPRINGFIELD 39.78N 89.64W
02/04/2014 M2.0 INCH SANGAMON IL MESONET
HEAVY SNOW OCCURRING. SWOP REPORT.
0335 PM SNOW FLORA 38.67N 88.48W
02/04/2014 M2.0 INCH CLAY IL EMERGENCY MNGR
&&
MILLERPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
446 PM CST TUE FEB 04 2014
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0440 PM SNOW PETERSBURG 40.01N 89.85W
02/04/2014 M3.1 INCH MENARD IL MESONET
&&
BAKThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
20 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
Weather observers measured 6 to 7 inches of snow across Cass County, including 7.0 inches in both Virginia and Beardstown. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 6 to 7 inches of snow across Schuyler County. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 8 to 10 inches of snow across Christian County, including 9.6 inches in Pana. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 6 to 8 inches of snow across Coles County, including 7.3 inches in Mattoon. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 6 to 7 inches of snow across Mason County. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 6 to 7 inches of snow across Moultrie County. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 6 to 8 inches of snow across Piatt County, including 7.5 inches 2 miles northeast of Cisco. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 7 to 9 inches of snow across Shelby County, including 9.0 inches 4 miles northwest of Windsor. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 6 to 7 inches of snow across Edgar County, including 6.2 inches in Paris. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 7 to 9 inches of snow across Macon County, including 8.5 inches in Mt. Zion. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 6 to 8 inches of snow across Champaign County, including 7.5 inches 1 mile south-southwest of Champaign and 6.5 inches in Urbana. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 6 to 7 inches of snow across DeWitt County, including 6.5 inches 3 miles west of Farmer City. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 6 to 7 inches of snow across Douglas County, including 6.8 inches in Tuscola and 6.0 inches in Arthur. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 6 to 8 inches of snow across Fulton County, including 7.7 inches in St. David. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 6 to 7 inches of snow across Logan County, including 7.0 inches in New Holland and 6.0 inches in Lincoln. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 6 to 8 inches of snow across Menard County, including 8.1 inches in Petersburg. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 6 to 8 inches of snow across Morgan County, including 7.5 inches in Jacksonville and 7.0 inches 1 mile southwest of Woodson. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 6 to 8 inches of snow across Sangamon County, including 7.8 inches 1 mile southwest of Jerome and 6.8 inches in Springfield. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 6 to 8 inches of snow across Scott County, including 6.1 inches in Winchester. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
Weather observers measured 7 to 8 inches of snow across Vermilion County, including 8.0 inches 3 miles west of Bismarck and 7.5 inches in Danville. Numerous traffic accidents occurred due to snow-covered roads.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2014Every state in 2014This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, February 2014
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 500005, 500027, 500007, 500008, 500018, 500022, 500024, 500030, 500013, 500017, 500006, 500010, 500012, 500014, 500016, 500019, 500021, 500025, 500028, 500031.