A thin glaze of ice coats sidewalks and windshields across Champaign this morning as freezing drizzle mixes with light snow. Streetlights reflect off the slick pavement while early commuters navigate cautiously through the city’s first real taste of winter’s grip.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through early Sunday morning for much of central and east-central Illinois. A mix of snow, freezing rain, and drizzle continues to create hazardous travel conditions, especially north of I-74 where 1 to 3 inches of snow may accumulate. South of that line, the primary hazard is ice, with bridges and overpasses turning slick before sunrise.
Motorists are urged to slow down, increase following distance, and use caution on untreated roads. The mix should taper by mid-morning, leaving behind dense fog and cold air. Highs will stay near 32°F, with wind chills dipping into the teens. Any slush or runoff may refreeze later today, causing isolated black ice as temperatures drop sharply into the mid-teens overnight.
By Monday, skies clear but temperatures plunge — morning lows fall near 5°F, with wind chills as low as –5°F. The region moderates slightly into Tuesday and Wednesday, though another potential rain-snow system could move through the Midwest around December 11–17, signaling a more active winter stretch heading into early holiday travel.
Five-Day Outlook
Today: Snow/freezing rain early, high 32°F.
Monday: Mostly sunny, high 26°F.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, high 41°F.
Wednesday: Breezy, high 41°F.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, high 30°F.
