Springfield, IL – A deep chill is expected to settle across central and eastern Illinois overnight, with a freeze warning issued for much of the region through early Tuesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, the freeze warning takes effect at midnight and will last until 9 a.m. CDT Tuesday, impacting more than 30 counties, including Springfield, Champaign, Decatur, Urbana, and Effingham. Forecasters warn that temperatures may fall as low as 25 degrees Fahrenheit, potentially endangering sensitive vegetation and unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Areas across central, east central, southeast, and west central Illinois are bracing for the unseasonably cold snap. Local farmers and gardeners are advised to take immediate precautions to shield vulnerable crops and plants. Residents should also consider insulating exposed pipes and checking outdoor faucets to prevent freeze-related damage.
While early April often brings variable temperatures to Illinois, such low overnight readings are considered below seasonal norms. The last widespread freeze of this severity occurred in early April 2021.
Officials urge all residents to monitor local weather alerts and take protective action tonight. This warning affects communities from Springfield to Lawrenceville and Danville, with widespread frost expected through dawn Tuesday.
