Lincoln, Illinois – A sweltering stretch grips central Illinois as temperatures surge into the mid-90s and heat indices approach a dangerous 110 degrees through Thursday, making outdoor activity risky for residents across the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, a heat advisory remains in effect with highs from 92 to 96 today and Thursday, combined with humidity to drive heat indices as high as 110. While isolated afternoon thunderstorms are possible both days, more widespread storms are expected to develop late Thursday night into Friday. The heat may ease briefly Friday, but returns for the weekend.
Travelers and outdoor workers in Springfield, Decatur, Bloomington, and Champaign should plan for possible delays and hazardous conditions, especially along I-55 and I-72 during peak afternoon hours. Authorities recommend staying indoors during the hottest part of the day, drinking extra water, and checking on elderly neighbors and pets. Power grid strain and air quality alerts are possible, especially if storms cause outages.
This marks one of the hottest weeks of the summer so far, with conditions not expected to fully improve until after Sunday. Stay tuned to local alerts as additional advisories are likely with continued hot, stormy weather.
Central Illinois Five-Day Weather at a Glance
- Wednesday: High 92–96°, heat index 105–110. Slight chance of PM thunderstorms.
- Thursday: High 92–96°, heat index 105–110. Slight chance of PM thunderstorms, storms more likely at night (30–60%).
- Friday: High 84–92°, heat index 93–103. Chance of thunderstorms (40–60%).
- Saturday: High 86–93°, heat index 100–105. Chance of thunderstorms (40–50%).
- Sunday: High 90–94°, heat index 105–110. Partly cloudy, mostly clear at night.
