Springfield, IL – A cold front moving through Illinois will bring a hard freeze to central parts of the state Monday night, threatening early spring vegetation and prompting weather alerts for overnight lows in the upper 20s to low 30s.
According to the US National Weather Service Central Illinois, temperatures will remain cool through early next week, with daytime highs hovering in the 40s and low 50s. Rain showers will taper off by Sunday, offering a brief dry window before another round of precipitation arrives midweek.
The anticipated hard freeze Monday night poses a risk to tender vegetation already planted or beginning to emerge. Gardeners and farmers are urged to take protective measures such as covering sensitive plants or delaying additional planting until after the freeze window passes.
Overnight lows are forecast to dip into the 30s across Springfield, Bloomington, and Champaign. Daytime highs on Sunday and Monday will range between 45°F and 52°F, before rebounding slightly into the mid-50s by Wednesday.
Officials recommend checking local forecasts frequently, limiting time outdoors overnight, and preparing for potential slippery conditions early Tuesday morning due to freezing temperatures and lingering moisture.
Updates will continue as the next round of rain approaches midweek.
