Springfield, Illinois – Temperatures surging to near 70 degrees today will give way to a sharp cooldown and a threat for severe thunderstorms along Interstate 55 and Interstate 74 on Thursday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, central Illinois will see warm, dry and breezy conditions Wednesday with highs ranging from 65 to 70 degrees. Winds will increase as a strong storm system approaches from the west. By Thursday, rain chances jump to 50 to 80 percent, and scattered thunderstorms could become severe during the afternoon and early evening.
The highest storm risk includes areas southeast of I-55, impacting communities such as Decatur, Champaign and Effingham. Damaging wind gusts over 60 mph are the primary concern, though isolated tornadoes and hail cannot be ruled out. Travel along I-55, I-57 and I-74 may be slowed by heavy downpours and sudden wind gusts during the evening commute.
Behind the system, temperatures will drop dramatically. Highs fall into the 40s Friday, with breezy conditions lingering. A slight chance of light snow arrives Saturday, and by Sunday morning wind chills could dip into the single digits, especially along open stretches of I-72 and rural highways.
Residents should stay weather aware Thursday afternoon and prepare for a rapid shift from springlike warmth to late-winter cold by the weekend.
