Illinois — The morning air bites as tires hiss over damp pavement and light flakes drift across central Illinois. Wind rattles bare branches, and untreated roads glisten under low clouds. Winter remains firmly in control early today, with conditions changing quickly for drivers and pedestrians.
Temperatures sit in the lower 20s around Champaign at daybreak. Periods of light snow and freezing rain continue through the morning hours. Accumulations stay under one inch, but slick spots develop easily. Bridges, overpasses, and rural roads become especially hazardous. Travel may feel routine at first, then suddenly slippery.
By midmorning, precipitation tapers. Clouds linger, and highs reach the upper 20s. Even brief breaks in snow allow moisture to refreeze, increasing the risk of flash freezing. Use extra caution on I-57, I-74, and campus-area streets where foot traffic is heavy.
Tonight turns sharply colder. Lows drop into the upper teens with mostly cloudy skies. Any leftover moisture freezes solid, locking in slick conditions for early Tuesday travel.
Tuesday stays mostly dry and cold. Highs reach near 28 under gray skies. Tuesday night dips to around 10 degrees, reinforcing frozen ground and pipes. Wednesday brings some relief with sunshine, but highs remain near 24. Cold returns again after sunset, with lows near 8.
Thursday signals a modest shift. Skies turn partly sunny, and highs climb to around 30. Melting during the afternoon may create wet pavement, followed by refreezing after dark. That cycle raises renewed travel concerns.
Looking toward the Feb 6–8 weekend, temperatures trend slightly milder, with highs climbing into the mid-30s by Friday. Winter weather threats ease, but February cold still dominates.
Plan extra travel time this morning. Walk carefully on sidewalks and parking lots. Are roads slick where you are right now, or just cold and wet?
Five-Day Outlook – Champaign, IL
- Today: Wintry mix early, mostly cloudy, high near 29
- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, high near 28
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high near 24
- Thursday: Partly sunny, high near 30
- Friday: Partly sunny, milder, high near 36
