SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Central Illinois will wake up to a widespread frost early Thursday as temperatures drop into the middle 30s under clear skies and calm winds. The cold snap will mark the most significant chill of the fall season so far for much of the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, a Frost Advisory is in effect from midnight tonight through 9 a.m. Thursday for all of central Illinois, including Springfield, Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur, Taylorville, and Effingham. Light winds and clear overnight skies will allow rapid cooling, producing areas of frost before sunrise.
Sensitive plants, flowers, and late-season crops could be damaged or killed if left unprotected. Residents are advised to cover tender vegetation, move potted plants indoors, and unhook garden hoses. According to Illinois Emergency Management officials, rural and low-lying areas along I-55, I-57, and I-72 will likely see the heaviest frost formation.
Motorists may encounter frosted windshields and reduced visibility in some areas early Thursday. The chill will ease by midmorning as sunshine returns, leading to a mild and pleasant afternoon.
According to the NWS, temperatures will gradually warm into the 60s by the weekend before another cool front approaches late Sunday, bringing another round of chilly mornings early next week.
