Lincoln, IL – Bitterly cold air will settle across Central Illinois tonight and continue through Thursday night, bringing dangerously low wind chills that could reach 15 degrees below zero north of Interstate 70, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Lincoln.
Forecasters say actual temperatures will fall into the single digits to a few degrees below zero, with wind chills dropping below zero across most of the region. Areas north of I-70—including Bloomington, Peoria, and Champaign—could feel the brunt of the cold, with the coldest readings expected during the early morning hours Thursday and Friday.
Maps released by the NWS show widespread wind chills between 0°F and -10°F tonight, with colder pockets down to -15°F north of the highway corridor. Thursday night is expected to bring similar conditions before gradual moderation begins late Friday.
Meteorologists are urging residents to limit time outdoors and to dress in multiple layers, including hats, gloves, and face coverings. Even short periods of exposure in these conditions can lead to frostbite or hypothermia. Pets and livestock should also be brought inside or provided with adequate shelter and unfrozen water sources.
Travelers and morning commuters should prepare for icy spots on untreated roads and sidewalks, as well as poor vehicle performance in subfreezing conditions.
The extreme cold follows a light snow event earlier in the week, with another system potentially bringing additional snow chances over the weekend.
