Illinois skies hang gray over Champaign this morning, with temperatures near 33 degrees and a damp chill in the air. The calm start will shift as a late-winter system approaches.
Clouds increase through the day, pushing highs toward 44 degrees. Winds from the west northwest may gust above 20 mph at times, adding a brisk edge to the afternoon commute.
Tonight, a wintry mix spreads in late, mainly after 11 p.m. Light snow appears likely, and a narrow corridor near the Interstate 74 corridor could see around 1 inch or more. Patchy freezing drizzle or sleet is also possible, mainly south of a Macomb to Champaign line.
Even minor icing can create slick bridges and overpasses before sunrise. If you travel along I-57, I-74, or Route 45 early Thursday, allow extra time. This is prime flash-freeze season. Melting during the day can refreeze quickly as temperatures fall to around 25 degrees tonight.
Conditions improve Thursday with mostly sunny skies and a high near 45. A noticeable warm-up arrives Friday. Sunshine boosts highs to 61 degrees, offering a brief taste of spring warmth before the weekend cool-down.
Saturday stays mostly sunny with highs near 50. Sunday trends cooler with a 30 percent chance of rain and snow and highs near 38. Early next week brings additional chances for rain, snow, and even freezing rain Monday as colder air returns.
Longer-range signals hint at a moderating trend into early March, with temperatures trending above normal after this active stretch.
Five Day Outlook for Champaign, Illinois:
Today: Increasing clouds, high 44.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, high 45.
Friday: Sunny, high 61.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, high 50.
Sunday: Chance rain/snow, high 38.
