Illinois starts this February morning with a sharp chill across Logan and Champaign counties. Temperatures sit at 30 degrees in Lincoln, with a wind chill near 20. The air feels biting, and frost coats car windows along I-55 and Route 10.
Sunshine quickly takes over today, pushing highs to 45 degrees by afternoon. That steady rebound will melt early frost and dampen pavement in town and along rural highways. Roads look dry by late day, but don’t let your guard down.
Skies turn partly cloudy tonight as temperatures drop back to 27 degrees. Any lingering moisture could refreeze after sunset. This is prime flash-freeze season across central Illinois. Bridges and overpasses cool fastest, especially outside Lincoln and toward Champaign-Urbana.
Thursday stays mostly cloudy with a high near 45. No snow is expected, and winds ease compared to this morning’s brisk northwest gusts. Friday turns sunnier and milder, reaching 50 degrees.
Valentine’s Weekend, February 13-15, brings a clear spring tease. Saturday climbs to 52 with filtered sunshine. Sunday reaches the lower 50s again, keeping jackets lighter and patios busier.
Early next week trends even warmer. Highs push into the mid to upper 50s by Monday and near 60 by Tuesday. Longer-range signals show temperatures running 10 to 20 degrees above average across much of the central U.S., with more rain chances than snow.
Winter still bites at daybreak, even as afternoons soften. Watch for slick spots tonight and dress in layers this morning. Are you ready for this February thaw across central Illinois?
Five Day Outlook for Lincoln, IL:
Today: Sunny, high 45.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, high 45.
Friday: Sunny, high 50.
Saturday: Partly sunny, high 52.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, high 53.
