Champaign, Ill. – A thin layer of frost glittered on car roofs and fields early Thursday, the first true sign that fall is giving way to winter’s chill. Across central Illinois, another Freeze Warning looms tonight into Friday morning, signaling what’s likely the end of the growing season for much of the state.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, temperatures will tumble into the upper 20s to near 30°F from the early hours of Friday through about 9 a.m. The warning covers communities from Bloomington and Peoria south through Champaign, Decatur, and Taylorville. Sensitive plants, outdoor plumbing, and exposed vegetation could suffer damage if left unprotected. Residents should cover garden beds, disconnect hoses, and bring in any remaining potted plants before dusk Thursday.
Thursday’s sunshine offers a brief reprieve with highs near 58°F, though a brisk northwest breeze will keep the air feeling raw. Calm conditions later in the evening will help temperatures plummet again, with frost quickly forming across low-lying valleys and farm fields along I-55 and I-72.
By Friday afternoon, the sun returns and highs climb toward 59°F, but the cold snap remains the talk across the Midwest. Nearly a dozen states—from Iowa to Virginia—will record season-ending freezes by Friday morning. For Illinois, this one-two punch of frost and freeze closes the book on late harvest season and brings those unmistakable early-winter vibes.
Looking toward the weekend, Saturday turns milder near 60°F before clouds and a slight chance of rain build Sunday night. For now, it’s the perfect stretch for Halloween decorating, fall cleanup, or one last warm mug on the porch before the next front rolls in.
Five-Day Forecast for Champaign, IL:
Thu: 58/32 – Sunny, cool breeze; frost likely early.
Fri: 59/30 – Hard freeze early; sunny and calm later.
Sat: 61/38 – Partly sunny; milder, light south wind.
Sun: 62/47 – Cloudy; chance of light rain late.
Mon: 61/44 – Mostly cloudy; seasonable fall chill.
