Peoria, Illinois – Snow will exit central Illinois from west to east this evening, but the bigger concern arrives overnight as an Arctic blast drives wind chills into dangerously cold territory through Sunday morning.
Any lingering snow will taper this evening, though patchy blowing and drifting may persist due to northwest winds gusting near 20 mph. As temperatures plunge overnight, those winds will combine with the cold air to push wind chills down to -15° to -25° across much of central Illinois. These will be the coldest conditions of the stretch and pose a risk for frostbite on exposed skin in 30 minutes or less.
According to the National Weather Service office in Lincoln, wind chills are expected to remain below 0° through much of Sunday, even during the afternoon. Actual air temperatures will struggle, with Sunday highs only around 1° to 9°, and overnight lows Sunday night dropping to -1° to -7°. Wind chills Sunday night could again dip to -10° to -20° before slowly improving.
Travel conditions should gradually improve as snowfall ends, but cold pavement temperatures will allow icy patches to linger on bridges, overpasses, and untreated roads. Drivers should continue using caution, especially during the early morning hours Sunday.
A slow moderation begins Monday. While the morning will remain cold, with wind chills near 14° to 20°, afternoon highs will recover into the 25° to 31° range. Milder air arrives Tuesday, pushing highs into the upper 30s to lower 40s, followed by a more noticeable warmup Wednesday with highs reaching the low to mid-40s, and potentially even the 50s in spots.
Residents are urged to dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and limit time outdoors during the coldest periods. Pets should be brought indoors, and extra care should be taken to protect vulnerable pipes and vehicles.
