Champaign, IL – A quiet stretch of mild, sunny weather across Central Illinois won’t last much longer. A late-week storm system is expected to bring showers Thursday night into Friday, followed by a noticeable drop in temperatures heading into the weekend. Travelers planning early Veterans Day events or fall cleanup should prepare for changing skies and gusty breezes as the pattern shifts.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, Wednesday will be sunny and breezy, with highs near 67°F. Southwest winds could gust up to 28 mph before calming by evening. Thursday stays mild around 61°F under partly sunny skies, but clouds increase by late day as a front approaches from the west.
Rain chances rise to 50% Thursday night, with steady showers possible through early Friday. The system will clear quickly, leaving Friday partly sunny but cooler with highs around 66°F and a brisk northwest breeze.
By Saturday, the chill sets in — highs near 58°F, lows dipping to the mid-30s. Sunday stays dry but cool, offering crisp, bright air ideal for outdoor plans or early holiday decorating.
Forecasters say this may mark the start of Illinois’ transition toward a more typical November pattern. With long-range models hinting at colder air building by mid-month, it’s possible that the region could see its first flakes before Thanksgiving. For now, residents should enjoy the midweek warmth, secure loose yard décor, and prepare for slick roads and dropping temperatures by Friday morning.
