Illinois greets the morning with brittle cold, frost clinging to sidewalks and parked cars.
Temperatures hover in the upper teens around Champaign early today, with wind chills biting exposed skin. That winter edge won’t last long.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, a February warm front pushes steadily north today. Sunshine helps temperatures rebound into the low 40s, easing travel conditions by late morning. Any early slick spots on bridges or shaded roads should improve quickly as pavement warms.
The warming trend accelerates Tuesday. Highs climb to around 50 degrees, a sharp contrast to the cold start of the week. Light winds and dry air make it feel more like early spring than midwinter. Snow piles shrink fast, and runoff increases across parking lots and side streets.
By Wednesday, temperatures ease slightly but remain mild for February, topping out near 42 degrees. Skies stay mostly sunny, keeping midweek travel quiet. To be fair, winter does not fully step aside. Cooler air slips back late week as clouds thicken.
Meteorologists are tracking a weak system arriving Thursday. Light snow becomes possible Thursday night, especially as temperatures dip toward the upper 20s. Accumulations appear limited, but timing could matter for commuters. Wet pavement may refreeze after sunset, raising the risk of flash freezing, a frequent February hazard.
Friday stays mostly cloudy with highs near 41 degrees, followed by additional rain chances into the weekend. No major winter storm signals appear now, but mixed precipitation remains possible as temperatures hover near freezing at night.
Looking into the 6–10 day outlook, above-normal temperatures are favored across much of the Midwest. Even as the Great Lakes remain heavily frozen, a broader thaw is developing. That means more swings, fewer deep freezes, and an active late-winter pattern.
Plan layers today. Expect a cold start, a mild afternoon, and changing conditions as the week unfolds.
Five-Day Outlook – Champaign, IL
- Today: Mostly sunny, high near 41°F
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high near 50°F
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high near 42°F
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy, chance of snow late, high near 40°F
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, high near 41°F
