CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Gray clouds and a sharp northwest wind usher in the first taste of winter this morning across central Illinois. Pavement glistens from an early rain that’s now flirting with flurries as colder air sweeps in from the Plains. The transition to snow may briefly coat grassy areas and bridge decks, a sign of the November chill taking hold.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, a rain-to-snow mix will continue through the early morning, tapering later today. While most areas will see less than two inches, slick spots are possible on overpasses and rural roads as temperatures fall toward freezing. Winds from the northwest will gust between 30 and 35 mph, making travel difficult for high-profile vehicles and reducing visibility in passing snow bands.
By Monday, skies will clear and sunshine will return, though highs will struggle to reach the upper 30s. Wind chills Monday morning could dip into the teens, the coldest air since early spring. Residents should protect outdoor pipes, bring in pets, and prepare for frost on windshields.
Veterans Day brings calmer, sunnier conditions with highs in the 40s—ideal for parades or ceremonies across the region. A notable warm-up follows midweek, pushing readings into the upper 50s to near 60 by Thursday before the next front looms late week. For now, this brief Winter Tease reminds Illinoisans that true winter is waiting just over the horizon.
Five-Day Forecast for Champaign, IL:
Mon: 37/22 – Clearing skies; breezy and cold.
Tue: 46/36 – Mostly sunny; milder afternoon.
Wed: 57/32 – Sunny and pleasant; lighter winds.
Thu: 58/40 – Mild and partly sunny.
Fri: 70/44 – Breezy and warm; next front approaching late.
