Springfield, IL – Unseasonable heat is surging across central Illinois Thursday, with temperatures pushing into the upper 80s and even nearing 90 degrees in some communities.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, widespread highs in the mid to upper 80s are expected, with areas west of Springfield—including Jacksonville, Quincy, and Pittsfield—holding a 30 to 40 percent chance of reaching 90 degrees. These readings could break daily records across cities like Bloomington, Champaign, and Decatur, with some long-standing March records also within reach.
Urban areas along I-55 and I-72, including Springfield and Lincoln, will feel the peak heat during the mid to late afternoon. The combination of warm air and dry conditions may also elevate fire risk, especially in open fields and rural areas.
Residents should stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and check on vulnerable populations. While this level of warmth may feel more like early summer, it arrives well ahead of typical late-March averages.
Temperatures are expected to cool heading into Friday, with more seasonable conditions returning into the weekend. Additional updates may follow if records begin to fall across the region.
