Champaign, Illinois – Dry skies and mild temperatures will hold through Thursday in Champaign, but residents should prepare for a sharp change by Friday as showers and thunderstorms push into central Illinois. A 90% chance of rain could bring up to a half inch of precipitation, along with wind gusts reaching 18 mph.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, a cold front will sweep through the area Friday afternoon, bringing scattered storms that could linger into the evening. South winds will pick up to 11 mph ahead of the system, with stronger gusts possible during thunderstorms.
The storm threat is expected to develop after 1 p.m. Friday and taper off overnight, with a 30% chance of lingering showers after 10 p.m. Cooler air will follow behind the front, with overnight lows dipping into the upper 40s.
Drivers should watch for slick roads during the Friday evening commute, and those with outdoor plans may want to reschedule. Keep phones charged and monitor local alerts, especially if thunder begins to roll in the afternoon.
Looking ahead:
- Thursday: Sunny, high near 81°F.
- Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, high near 77°F.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, high of 66°F.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, high near 73°F.
- Monday: Chance of showers, high around 83°F.
