Springfield, IL – Central Illinois is bracing for a sharp turn toward winter weather as strong winds and bitter cold set in today, followed by the potential for accumulating snow Friday night into Saturday, according to the National Weather Service in Lincoln.
Forecasters say highs will only reach the mid-30s Wednesday, with west-northwest winds gusting between 40 and 50 mph making for frigid wind chills. Cooler-than-normal temperatures are expected to linger through the weekend, with a winter storm system likely bringing accumulating snow to the region late Friday night into Saturday night.
According to the Weather Service, at least minor travel impacts are expected due to snow-covered roads, especially for those traveling after Thanksgiving. There remains uncertainty about the rain/snow transition line and how it could affect snowfall totals, but a broad area of central and northern Illinois has a 30–50% chance of exceeding 3 inches of snow, with higher probabilities farther north.
Drivers are encouraged to monitor forecast updates and prepare for potentially slick travel conditions this weekend.
