Watch: Chaotic Scene Of 100 Cars And Semis Pileup On Illinois Highway

A fast-moving snowstorm sparked a massive pileup involving over 100 cars and semis on a slippery stretch of highway in central Illinois on Thursday evening. 

Interstate 39, southbound from Normal to Minonk, or about a 30 mile stretch of highway, was shuttered around 2015 ET Thursday and has remained closed ever since after a series of weather-related crashes. 

Meteorologists at private weather forecaster firm BAMWX said the storm caught motorists off guard as highways were coated with snow and ice. 

“Another winter storm moved through the Ohio Valley during the day on Thursday, leaving many from Illinois, northern Indiana, and southern Michigan with a swath of 4-8″ +. In fact, conditions worsened right into the evening commute for central IL, bringing heavy snow, whiteout conditions and treacherous travel for many. With this same weather pattern continuing through the 2nd half of February, this likely won’t be the last time we see a winter storm developing from the Southern Plains into the Midwest (keep an eye on next Thursday for another shot),” said Kirk Hinz, COO and chief meteorologist of BAMWX. 

Another #winter storm moved thru the OH Valley on Thurs, leaving many with a swath of 4-8”+.

With this same weather pattern continuing into the 2nd half Feb, this won’t be the last winter storm ahead of us (keep an eye on next Thursday for another shot). #snow #AGwx #natgas pic.twitter.com/eeQXB6Xk8o

— Kirk 📈 Hinz | BAM Weather (@Met_khinz) February 18, 2022

Pictures published on Twitter shows cars and semis tangled up in a metal mess. 

A stunning video of one of the crashes shows a pileup of semis. 

Over 100 vehicles involved in pileup on Illinois interstate during winter storm pic.twitter.com/eqPfn4V8xy

— The Sun (@TheSun) February 18, 2022

Last night, Illinois State Police published a video saying the stretch of highway will be closed for at least 12 hours. 

🚨 I-39 from Normal to Minonk will be closed for approx. 12 hours due to multiple crashes involving over 100 vehicles. 🚨

Together, with our local partners, we are diligently working to ensure motorists are safely escorted from the area to warming centers. #IllinoisTraffic pic.twitter.com/FPUPlmipVm

— IllinoisStatePolice (@ILStatePolice) February 18, 2022

“Numerous crashes and whiteout conditions are making travel extremely dangerous if not impossible,” Master Sgt. Matt McCormick told AP News.

On Wednesday, we told readers a winter storm would develop Thursday and track across central and eastern regions of the US and produce “major impacts of several kinds, including heavy snow and ice.”