CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Central Illinois wakes under calm, fair skies this morning, the kind that carry a faint bite of late fall and a streak of warmth that still feels more October than November. But as the week unfolds, that mild spell will fade, replaced by showers and cooler air that signals the first steady turn toward winter.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, Illinois, sunny and dry weather will dominate through Wednesday with highs reaching the upper 60s. Winds from the southwest could gust up to 25 mph along I-57 and U.S. 150, keeping afternoons feeling mild and crisp. Residents with outdoor work, leaf cleanup, or early holiday decorating plans should take advantage of the next 48 hours before conditions change.
Clouds increase late Wednesday, with rain chances arriving by Thursday afternoon. A developing system from the Plains will bring a 40% chance of showers through Thursday night—just enough to make evening travel slick across Champaign County and nearby interstates. Cooler air follows quickly, with highs tumbling into the 40s by Saturday.
To be fair, this isn’t the season’s first big chill, but the air behind Thursday’s front could feel like the opening act of winter. Forecast models are hinting at colder trends by mid-November, raising the possibility of a first snow chance before Thanksgiving for parts of central and northern Illinois.
Residents should keep rain gear handy and watch for wet leaves on roads late week. The mild calm won’t last much longer.
Five-Day Forecast for Champaign, IL:
Mon: 62/35 – Sunny and breezy; gusts near 22 mph.
Tue: 65/49 – Mostly sunny; light south wind.
Wed: 69/35 – Sunny and warm; cooling late.
Thu: 63/50 – Mostly cloudy; rain likely late.
Fri: 57/38 – Partly sunny; cooler and breezy.
