Springfield, Illinois – Drivers across central Illinois faced dangerous travel conditions early Friday as dense, patchy fog dropped visibility to as low as a quarter mile in several counties.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, visibility has been sharply reduced along major highways including I-55, I-72, and U.S. Route 51. The fog, concentrated in an oval-shaped area stretching from Quincy to Lawrenceville, is expected to lift by mid-morning.
Areas seeing the worst conditions include Springfield, Decatur, Effingham, and Litchfield. Motorists are urged to use low-beam headlights, reduce speed, and maintain extra distance from surrounding vehicles. School districts in some rural counties are monitoring visibility before finalizing delays or bus route changes.
Visibility is lowest near dawn and may quickly shift from clear to dense patches. This fog event follows a stretch of humid June mornings in the region, a pattern common during early summer months.
Conditions are expected to improve significantly by 9 to 10 a.m., but drivers should remain cautious until the fog fully dissipates.
