I'm looking at the radar now, and it looks like the storm is already hitting St. Louis.

Things sound even worse now:

There has been no easing at all in the forecast of a major blizzard hitting northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana starting this afternoon. If anything, the situation appears more dire than it did 24 hours ago.

The National Weather Service continues to describe the storm as "potentially life-threatening" for those who might get caught outside and advised that final preparations for it should be completed this morning.

A blizzard warning of 24 hours duration includes the likelihood of snowfalls of up to 20 inches and in some places even more, wind gusts of up to 60 mph creating whiteout conditions making travel nearly impossible, lakefront flooding and perhaps prolonged power outages.

Latest blizzard warning: Don't travel, stay indoors

eta:

"Consider if getting to your destination is wowrth putting your life at risk."

You know, I've never missed work due to snowstorms - I've always manged to make it in by walking or public transit. But it looks like tomorrow I'll be staying home.

Holy crap, you guys! Definitely stay inside!

msbelle, I might try for a grant after I know whether or not I'll be asked back for next year.

Same here. I know that if budget allows, I'll be asked back. But, we're headed for staff reductions so I don't know.

And, I am at work right now. We have an institute day that is supposed to last until 3, but with the Blizzard o'Doom coming, I'm leaving at lunch whether or not we cut the day short.

Wait, I did miss a few days of work when we had 30" of snow in 24 hours in Minneapolis. I was on crutches and couldn't even leave my block due to the piles of snow. (This was in 1991.)

Kathy, it has definitely started here. I've got a mix of freezing rain and sleet, and they're saying the snow should hit by noon. I'm getting things squared away under the assumption that will lose power. The power lines are already sheathed in ice.

Kathy, I would keep an eye on things and plan to leave earlier if it starts really hitting.

I WFH on Tuesdays anyway, but for my department anyway, we decided to send everyone home at noon or as soon as it starts to fall, and for everyone to plan to stay home tomorrow.

I have food and beer and shit, but I didn't really think about potential power outages. I wonder what I should do to try to be prepared for that. I can probably rustle up some candles and a flashlight or two.

Almost out of cat chow too, I just noticed. But I can walk to that store when I take the dog out later. If it's crazy out I will try to get video at the dog park.

Mid-South-istas: How do driving conditions look for tomorrow in your part of the country?

Our friends K and S plan to travel from Dallas to DC for temporary work details. They're driving so they can bring their two (large) dogs along, but they're worried about weather. The direct route involves going through Arkansas to Memphis, then I-40 across Tennessee to Knoxville or so and up I-81.

Should they worry?

(DC, by the way, has wimped out on this storm again.)

Power outages are much more likely if there's above-ground power lines, right?