Lincoln, IL — Central Illinois will ride a steady warming trend through the end of the week, bringing temperatures well above seasonal norms. According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, highs will climb into the upper 60s and low-to-mid 70s by Saturday before a brief cool-down arrives Sunday. The next widespread rain chance arrives Monday night, though measurable amounts remain uncertain.
Today offers another mild afternoon with highs between 59 and 64 degrees under partly sunny skies. Overnight lows fall into the 40 to 45 degree range, keeping conditions comfortably above freezing.
Friday brings a noticeable warm-up as highs rise into the 67 to 73 degree range across much of the region. Light breezes and continued dry weather will make for favorable outdoor conditions.
Saturday will be the peak of the warm spell, with highs ranging from 69 to 74 degrees. Southwesterly winds become breezy at times, helping boost temperatures to levels more typical of late September than mid-November.
A cooler air mass slides in Sunday, knocking temperatures back into the 53 to 58 degree range. Skies stay partly sunny, and conditions remain dry.
The next organized rain chance arrives Monday night, with probabilities around 50–60 percent. While this system may bring some additional moisture, forecasters note that rainfall amounts appear light and unlikely to make a meaningful dent in the region’s ongoing drought.
Central Illinois will continue to monitor next week’s rain potential as the pattern becomes more active.
