Illinois – A thin band of warm light climbs across harvested fields south of Champaign, turning the morning sky soft orange and sending a mild breeze through roadside grass. Pavement looks dry, and the air carries that faint early-November crispness. Even so, thin clouds on the western horizon hint at bigger changes coming fast.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, today brings bright sun and temperatures soaring into the low 70s across Champaign, Savoy, Mahomet, and nearby campuses. According to meteorologists, south winds increase by midday, with gusts reaching 20 mph along I-57 and I-74. Travelers should secure loose holiday displays and plan outdoor errands early while conditions remain calm and warm.
Saturday starts partly sunny but turns breezy as a disturbance crosses the region. Gusts may top 25 mph by afternoon, especially in open farm corridors west of town. That shift pulls cooler air in by evening, setting up a crisp, quieter Sunday with highs falling nearly 20 degrees from today’s warmth. Leaf cleanup and early Thanksgiving prep both favor Sunday’s cooler sun.
Monday’s calm look doesn’t last. A developing system approaches from the Plains, nudging clouds in early and raising rain chances late. By Monday night, rain becomes likely. Models hint at a “Winter Tease” by Tuesday morning as colder air undercuts lingering moisture. A brief rain-to-snow changeover is possible north of town if temperatures slip toward freezing. Impacts appear limited now, but early commuters should watch bridges and elevated ramps for cooler slick patches.
This pattern marks the first real signal of pre-Thanksgiving volatility.
Five-Day Outlook for Champaign, IL:
Fri: 72/58 – Sunny; breezy warm-up.
Sat: 72/38 – Partly sunny; gusty winds.
Sun: 54/34 – Sunny; cooler.
Mon: 53/36 – Mostly sunny; rain late.
Tue: 47/30 – 30% rain; slight mix possible.
