Springfield, Illinois – A surge of arctic air is tightening its grip on central Illinois, bringing dangerously cold temperatures and biting wind chills that will persist through the weekend and into early next week. Conditions are expected to become harsh enough to pose risks to anyone spending extended time outdoors.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, much colder air arrives this weekend, with Sunday night shaping up to be the coldest period. Overnight lows are expected to fall into the single digits, and in some locations could dip below zero. Gusty winds will drive wind chill values well below zero, with some spots experiencing wind chills as cold as 20 below.
Daytime highs will struggle to recover, with temperatures only reaching the teens on Monday before a slight rebound into the upper 20s and low 30s by Tuesday and Wednesday. Breezy conditions will keep it feeling colder than the thermometer suggests, especially during the morning and evening hours.
Communities including Springfield, Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur, Galesburg, and Mattoon will all feel the brunt of the cold. Frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes when wind chills drop into the teens below zero.
Residents are urged to dress in warm layers, limit time outdoors, and bring pets indoors. Use caution with space heaters and other supplemental heating sources. While the cold eases slightly by midweek, winter conditions remain firmly in place, and additional cold mornings are likely before a more noticeable warmup arrives later next week.
