CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Crisp air and thin morning clouds are ushering in a Halloween that feels unmistakably late-fall across central Illinois. Trick-or-treaters will need jackets tonight as dry, gusty west winds pull cooler air toward the I-57 corridor, setting up the season’s first near-freezing lows by Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service office in Lincoln, temperatures will tumble into the mid-30s by early Saturday, with calm winds and mostly clear skies likely producing patchy frost in low-lying areas. The agency notes that Saturday night will be the coldest stretch of the weekend, with readings near 32°F across rural Champaign, Piatt, and Douglas counties. Gardeners are encouraged to bring in potted plants and cover sensitive vegetation before dusk.
Winds ease through the day Saturday as sunshine returns, bringing highs into the low 50s. Sunday begins brisk but bright — perfect for outdoor cleanup or early holiday decorating as November arrives with calm skies and dry air. The National Weather Service adds that southwesterly winds Monday will lift temperatures back into the lower 60s, extending one last mild window before another cool push midweek.
For now, Halloween weekend looks ideal for safe travel and dry events, though the shift toward colder, clearer nights is an early sign of the winter transition ahead. Residents should check furnaces, wrap outdoor spigots, and prepare for the first consistent frosts of the season. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, adding a bit more morning light to start November’s chill.
Five-Day Forecast for Champaign, IL:
Fri: 60/35 – Sunny; breezy west-northwest winds up to 20 mph.
Sat: 53/32 – Mostly sunny; calm evening, patchy frost late.
Sun: 55/37 – Sunny and cool; calm start to November.
Mon: 62/35 – Mild and sunny; south breeze developing.
Tue: 63/39 – Mostly sunny; gradual cooling trend midweek.
