Springfield, Illinois – Scattered showers will move across central Illinois this afternoon, with gusty winds and brief downpours possible before temperatures drop into the 30s tonight, raising the risk of patchy frost in some areas by early Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, showers will develop through the afternoon and evening with a 40 to 60 percent chance of rain. While rainfall totals stay light, wind gusts may briefly impact travel on routes like I-55, I-72, and I-74 during heavier showers.
Temperatures will fall into the mid- to upper-30s overnight, especially north and west of the Illinois River, including areas near Peoria, Galesburg, and Bloomington. Patchy frost may develop in these areas before sunrise Friday, with a more widespread frost risk expected Friday night when lows again dip into the mid-30s across much of the region.
Cities including Springfield, Decatur, Champaign, and Jacksonville will see highs in the upper 50s to mid-60s today, followed by cooler nights through the weekend. Saturday morning may bring another round of patchy frost, particularly in eastern Illinois.
Residents should cover or bring in sensitive plants before midnight and remain alert for changing conditions. The cold pattern continues into the weekend, with the next update expected later today as frost coverage becomes clearer.
