Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Just as cold weather continues and a Winter Storm Warning takes hold the rest of the weekend, some energy providers are urging energy conversation.

For several hours Saturday, providers Corn Belt Energy and Ameren Illinois urged electric customers to conserve energy.  Corn Belt says MISO, Midcontinent Independent System Operator, issued a conservation warning for their entire system area from North Dakota to Louisiana, due to “extremely high demand for electricity.”

The warning did not last for long; however, Corn Belt says more conservation warnings could be issued.

Meanwhile, while a Cold Weather Advisory expired at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service in Lincoln says that cold temperatures will last for the next week or so, with continued chances of below-zero wind chills.

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect, but will expire at 9 p.m. Sunday, a little earlier than when the warning was first issued Friday.  While forecasters say anywhere from five to ten inches of show could fall throughout the region, the prediction is that four to six inches of snow will fall in Springfield.  While an inch of more of snow could fall during the day Saturday, most of the snow will fall late Saturday night into the day Sunday.

The NWS continues to say that blowing snow could be a possibility late Sunday.  After Sunday, there is no snow in the forecast for the next week.  Temperatures are expected to be below normal.

CLICK HERE for information on cold weather preparedness, warming shelters, snow plowing, and more.

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