Peoria, IL – Drivers across central and southeast Illinois woke up to hazardous travel conditions Thursday morning as dense fog blanketed large portions of the state.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, patchy dense fog developed overnight and significantly reduced visibility—at times below a quarter-mile—impacting morning commuters in cities including Peoria, Springfield, Bloomington, and Champaign. The advisory is expected to remain in effect through at least 9 a.m. CDT Thursday.
Motorists in impacted counties, including Knox, Tazewell, McLean, Sangamon, and Macon, are urged to allow extra travel time and to slow down, especially on rural and low-traffic roads. Conditions may vary quickly over short distances, with visibility briefly dropping to near zero in isolated spots.
Additional fog was reported across northeastern counties as well, including Kankakee, Livingston, and Ford, with effects extending into parts of northwest Indiana. According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, these areas will also see low visibility persist through mid-morning.
Drivers are advised to use low-beam headlights, avoid sudden stops, and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. Conditions are expected to gradually improve by late morning as temperatures rise and the fog lifts.
