Illinois wakes to a muted sky this Saturday morning, with a cold northwest wind sliding over open fields south of Champaign. Damp leaves stick to sidewalks, and the pavement carries a faint icy sheen—an early sign that winter wants in. Anyone heading out for post-Thanksgiving travel should plan for shifting conditions through the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service, a developing storm arrives Friday night and strengthens Saturday, pulling moisture north and dropping temperatures just enough to trigger a rain-to-snow changeover. Models now hint at 1 to 4 inches across central Illinois, with higher probabilities north of I-72, including Danville and areas along the Route 150 corridor. Drivers should expect slushy patches, brief whiteouts in open stretches, and reduced visibility by afternoon.
Meteorologists call this an early Winter Tease, especially with a deeper December cold snap charging in behind the system. A warm layer may linger briefly early Saturday, raising the chance of a possible changeover before colder air locks in. After all, small shifts near the freezing mark often decide whether pavement stays wet or turns slick.
Saturday brings highs in the mid-30s with stiff southeast winds, and snow continues into the evening before tapering off. Sunday turns sharply colder, with highs only in the low 20s and wind chills falling below zero at times. Monday stays mostly sunny but frigid, with a high near 24°. Tuesday brings sun and a high near 27°, and Wednesday moderates slightly into the low 30s.
Long-range outlooks now show well below-normal temperatures from December 2–6, aligning with national guidance that a broader trough may spark additional early-season snow chances across the Midwest.
