Champaign, Illinois — Falling temperatures will bring another round of frost to central Illinois overnight, with plant damage and localized slick travel conditions possible from just after midnight through early Sunday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, temperatures will drop into the mid to upper 30s overnight, with frost development most likely between midnight and 7 a.m. Sunday. The coldest window is expected from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m., when surface temperatures fall enough for frost to form on exposed areas.
Cities including Champaign, Danville, Mattoon, Charleston and Effingham face the highest risk, particularly near and east of the I-57 corridor. Low-lying rural areas, open fields and drainage zones can cool more quickly, allowing frost to form on vegetation and untreated surfaces. Bridges and overpasses along I-57 and U.S. 45 may see patchy frost, creating isolated slick spots for early morning drivers.
This is part of a broader system of clear skies and light winds across the Midwest, allowing heat to escape rapidly overnight and temperatures to drop to near-freezing levels.
Residents should cover sensitive plants, bring potted vegetation indoors and use caution on early drives where frost may form on elevated roadways.
The greatest risk for plant damage and slick travel will occur between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., when temperatures bottom out and frost coverage peaks.
