CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – A sharp fall chill is setting the stage for a frosty start across central Illinois tonight as calm winds and clear skies align for near-freezing temperatures. Lawns and windshields may sparkle under a thin layer of frost by sunrise Thursday — the surest sign yet that the growing season is ending.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, a Frost Advisory is in effect from midnight to 9 a.m. Thursday for much of central and east-central Illinois, including Champaign, Decatur, Bloomington, and Danville. Temperatures are expected to dip into the mid-30s, with cold pockets near 32°F in rural areas. Diminishing winds will allow frost to form widely before dawn, especially in low-lying valleys and along stretches of I-72 and U.S. 150.
Residents are urged to cover tender plants, protect outdoor faucets, and bring pets indoors. Drivers should budget extra time for morning commutes, as frost may glaze windshields and slick elevated roadways. Farmers and gardeners across Piatt, Macon, and Vermilion Counties should assume the growing season ends tonight, with another frost possible early Friday.
By Friday afternoon, sunshine will help temperatures rebound to around 60°F, offering a brief return to milder fall air. The weekend turns calm but cooler, with clouds thickening Saturday and highs holding near 61°F. To be fair, it’s still too mild for snow in central Illinois — but this cold snap marks the shift toward true late-fall weather. Across the Midwest, everyone’s watching the horizon for that first flake, and this week’s frost feels like winter’s quiet calling card.
Five-Day Forecast for Champaign, IL:
Wed: 59/34 – Sunny and breezy; winds easing by evening.
Thu: 57/32 – Clear and frosty early; sunny and cool.
Fri: 60/40 – Mostly sunny; crisp fall air.
Sat: 61/47 – Mostly cloudy; calm breeze.
Sun: 66/48 – Partly sunny; pleasant and dry.
