Both the Salem and Centralia Water Plants recorded just over eight inches of snow from the major winter storm that blew through the area Saturday and Sunday. The arctic cold air that was part of the same system sent the thermometer at the Salem Water Treatment Plant to five degrees below zero by Monday morning, setting a new record low. The old record was two below zero in 1978.
WJBD Facebook followers reported up to ten inches of snow in some parts of the area including Kinmundy, Walnut Hill and Community Beach Road northeast of Centralia.
The dry blowing snow that didn’t respond to salt as a result of the extreme cold and lack of sunshine kept even the major highways in slick condition until Monday morning when the sun helped the salt work and some of the ice cover left after plowing began to melt off.
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps had recommended no travel if not absolutely necessary until late Monday morning when he reported the major highways were mostly clear of ice and snow and all secondary rural roads were passable with caution.
As of one this afternoon, IDOT was still reporting some major roads still had icy patches. Fayette County was a trouble spot with all roads still listed as snow and ice covered including I-70 and US 51.
Almost all area schools were closed on Monday after most of the area’s churches did not have in person services on Sunday.
Backyard covered in deep snow. Photo by Sheilah Cripps.
Snow covers cars and streets in Centralia. Photo by Vickie Gentz.
Carlyle home covered in snow. Photo by Greg Riechman.
Snow piled in front of a garage northwest of Sandoval. Photo by Emily Heinzmann.
