Champaign, IL – The air over east-central Illinois feels brittle this morning — 13°F under clear skies — a still calm before a midweek shift. Meteorologists are watching a developing system that will pull warmer air north Tuesday before ushering in rain, snow, and gusty winds by midweek.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, Monday stays mostly sunny but cold, with highs near the mid-20s. By Tuesday, temperatures climb into the lower 40s, signaling a brief thaw before the next cold front. That mild window ends Tuesday night, when clouds thicken and precipitation begins spreading across central Illinois.
A rain/snow mix is expected late Tuesday into Wednesday, with strong southwest winds up to 30 mph. Roads could turn slick early Wednesday morning, especially along rural stretches of I-57 and U.S. 45 where temperatures hover near freezing. The system will pull colder air back into the state by evening, flipping rain to wet snow before tapering off Wednesday night.
By Thursday, highs fall back into the upper 20s, and another quick-hitting disturbance may bring light snow chances across parts of east-central Illinois. The pattern continues to look active into the weekend, with temperatures remaining well below average for mid-December.
5-Day Outlook for Champaign, IL:
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, high 41°F, low 37°F.
- Wednesday: Breezy, rain/snow mix, high 40°F, low 21°F.
- Thursday: Chance of snow, high 29°F, low 16°F.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, high 23°F, low 10°F.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, high 18°F.
