Peoria winter (East Peoria: home, school, closing)

[livonian]

Can you please inform regarding Peoria winter. How bad is the snow or icy roads, how efficient are the counties in clearing two and four lane roads after snow storm etc.

Generally highways are well taken care of but small roads often create issues in winter. What percentage of peoria residents use snow tires during the season and whether you have advise for new comers to Peoria?

[linicx]

The state clears state highways and interstate roads of which the folllowing are in the cnetral Illinois area: US 24; US 136; US 150; L-74; I-474; I-55; I-39 IL 9; IL 97; IL116; IL 8; IL 29. Each county and city is responsible for keeping the US and State highways within its borders free of debris, ice and snow. The folks in Illinois have had a lot of experience in keeping roads open and traffic moving which is why seven bridges cross the Illinois River in central Illinois. If you've never driven in snow and ice you might consider getting a 4x4 and mount a set of good All-Terrain tires/ deep tread.

As a whole Illinois winters are not as brutal as those in New England. However, and unlike other areas of hte US, cpld winter days ususally stay with us until Spring. Mother nature is fickle. We may have deep snow and bitter cold tenperatures, or moderate cold and little snow, or no snow and just three months of cold weather. I think it is fair to say we will have some snow and some cold weather before we see robins in the yard in 2009. The bigger concern is not the highways. it is ice covered the hills and bridges and the occassional "white out" and you reall can't see to drive.
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I think you will find that East Peoria does a pretty good job of keeping the hills and main roads open. The televisions and radio stations keep the public notified as to school closing and dangerous road conitions. I suggest you have two things at home [1] a battery powered radio and [2] battery powered weather radio. I carry the weather radio in the car when I travel in the winter.

The good news is 'they' are saying we may have a warmer winter than normal. Winter has not arrivved yet and forecasters have been known to be wrong. Last winter was warmish with not very much snow.

You're going to be fine. Don't stress..