Peoria, Illinois – Patchy freezing rain remains possible tonight into Friday morning across portions of northern and east-central Illinois, potentially creating isolated slick spots on untreated roads.
According to the National Weather Service in Central Illinois, there is a 20 percent chance of freezing rain developing overnight as temperatures hover near freezing. While widespread icing is not expected, brief periods of light freezing rain could lead to localized icy conditions, particularly on bridges, overpasses, and elevated surfaces.
The greatest concern is near the Interstate 74 corridor, including areas around Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, and Champaign, where surface temperatures may dip into the mid to upper 20s overnight. Additional locations that could see patchy icing include stretches of I-57, I-72 near Springfield, and US-36 near Decatur.
Forecasters emphasize that any freezing rain would be spotty and light, but even small amounts of ice can create hazardous travel during the overnight and early morning hours. Motorists traveling late tonight or during the Friday morning commute should be alert for sudden slick spots, especially in shaded or less-traveled areas.
Outside of the freezing rain potential, no significant winter precipitation is expected. Conditions are forecast to improve later Friday morning as temperatures rise above freezing. Looking ahead, the National Weather Service reports that a notable warm-up is still expected into early next week, with temperatures climbing well above seasonal averages across central Illinois.
While impacts from this event are expected to remain limited, the timing may affect early-morning commuters, delivery drivers, and students, particularly along major roadways where brief icing could develop before daybreak.
Residents are encouraged to monitor local conditions, use caution when driving overnight, and stay updated with the latest forecasts from the National Weather Service as temperature trends become clearer.
