Gray skies press low over central Illinois this morning as fog and mist cling to roads, softening headlights and slowing traffic.
Temperatures hover near 33 degrees, with drizzle expected to continue through the day. According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, fog develops early and persists much of the night, with visibility dropping below one-half mile at times. Improvement may come closer to dawn west of the Illinois River, but central areas stay murky longer.
For drivers, this means slick pavement without obvious ice. Moisture settles on bridges and overpasses first. Sudden visibility drops can occur along Interstate 57, I-72, and rural highways, especially after sunset.
Christmas Day starts with lingering fog, then transitions to mostly cloudy skies. Highs reach near 50 degrees, helping travel conditions gradually improve through the morning. To be fair, it feels unusually mild for the first week of winter.
That mild pattern holds into Friday. Highs climb into the lower 60s, offering a smooth window for post-Christmas travel. Roads dry out during daylight hours, and winds stay manageable.
The weather turns again by Sunday night.
Colder air arrives early next week, bringing a sharp temperature drop. Forecast guidance shows wind chills falling below zero by Monday morning. Any moisture left on roads could flash freeze, creating black ice risks before the morning commute.
Meteorologists note this warm-to-cold swing often causes more travel problems than snow itself. Fog reduces reaction time. Refreezing raises crash risk.
Slow down tonight. Increase following distance. Plan extra time for early-morning travel.
Winter may have waited, but it’s lining up its return.
📅 Five-Day Outlook — Champaign, IL
- Today: Drizzle likely, fog developing. High near 53°F
- Christmas Day: Patchy fog early, cloudy. High near 50°F
- Friday: Partly sunny, mild. High near 61°F
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy. High near 60°F
- Sunday: Breezy, turning cooler late. High near 48°F
