The City of Peoria is preparing for the first major winter storm of the season, which is expected to begin around midnight tonight, Friday, Nov. 28, and continue throughout the day and night on Saturday, Nov. 29. Current forecasts project 8 to 14 inches of total snowfall, with periods of heavy, fast-accumulating snow.
To respond to the storm, the Department of Public Works will activate 12-hour, around-the-clock operations beginning at 7 p.m. tonight. Crews will remain in continuous operations until conditions improve.
Public Works crews will begin their storm response by pretreating City streets. Hills and overpasses will be treated with brine, while residential streets will be pretreated with salt. Once snow begins to fall overnight, crews will shift to plowing and salting main arterial routes, which will remain the top priority throughout the storm.
Plowing in residential areas will begin after at least 2 inches of snow have accumulated, once arterial streets have been cleared, and after snowfall has ended. Depending on snowfall intensity, crews may make passes through neighborhoods, but arterial routes will remain the primary focus.
No parking on emergency snow routes is automatically enforced when 2 inches of snow or more is forecasted. No parking will remain in effect for 48 hours.
Drivers should expect rapidly changing road conditions due to the storm’s potential for intense, short-duration snow bursts. Public Works strongly encourages residents to stay home on Saturday and adjust travel plans as needed. Those who must travel should allow extra time, drive cautiously, and watch for plow trucks as snowfighters work to maintain mobility and restore safe travel conditions.
Snowstorm updates will be issued throughout the weekend. The City urges residents to stay prepared and use extreme caution during this significant winter weather event.