Special Winter Weather Alert in One State Sparks Warning for Drivers

Motorists in one Midwestern state were advised to exercise caution as gusty winds impeded travel on Monday morning.

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Lincoln, Illinois, issued a special winter weather statement at 3:45 a.m. Central time warning of "spotty travel difficulties" that could prove particularly dangerous for high-profile vehicles across much of central Illinois.

"Strong northwest winds will occasionally gust between 35 and 50 mph this morning, gradually diminishing during the afternoon hours," the statement said. "The gusty winds will help bring in much colder temperatures today."

A graphic posted on X, formerly Twitter, showed that winds would likely be strongest in Lincoln, Peoria, Galesburg, Havana, Beardstown, Jacksonville, Springfield, Decatur, Champaign, Pontiac, Paris, Mattoon, Effingham, Robinson, Olney, Litchfield, Lacon and Bloomington, where peak gusts are predicted to reach 40 to 45 mph. Surrounding areas have a risk of wind gusts reaching 35 to 40 mph.

Temperatures will feel like they're between the teens and low 20s this afternoon and approach single digits overnight. A low chance of snow showers will persist this morning in part of eastern Illinois.The showers could reduce visibility briefly, the statement warned.

Newsweek reached out to the NWS Lincoln office by phone for comment.

Similar warnings were issued for several other areas across the nation. The NWS warned of damaging winds and flooding rain in southern New England, where peak wind gusts could reach 70 mph in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts; heavy rainfall in Buffalo, New York; gusty winds and low wind chill near Paducah, Kentucky; scattered snow showers near Louisville, Kentucky; and scattered snow showers and strong wind gusts in central Indiana, which also posed a hazard for high-profile vehicles.

Thousands were without power in the Northeast on Monday morning as wind and rain rolled through, according to a power outage map. More than 82,000 people were without power in Massachusetts and Connecticut, with more than 50,000 in New York and New Jersey.

In Illinois, temperatures will rise near the end of the week.

"Windy and cold weather dominates the area today, along with a few flurries over eastern IL. The cold holds through Tuesday, then above normal temperatures return for the last half of the week. Wet weather moves in for Friday," the Lincoln NWS office posted on X on Monday morning.

In an earlier post, the office warned residents in the area to secure loose objects, such as holiday décor.