Chicago, IL – Illinois will be plunged into a deep freeze early next week as a surge of Arctic air spreads across the Midwest, bringing the coldest temperatures of the season to the Prairie State. According to the NOAA Weather Prediction Center, a sharp cold front will sweep through Illinois Monday, November 10, followed by widespread frost and subfreezing temperatures by Tuesday morning, November 11.
Forecast lows are expected to dip to around 24°F in Chicago, 22°F in Rockford, 25°F in Springfield, and 27°F in Carbondale, with wind chills making it feel like the mid-teens across northern Illinois. Even areas along the Mississippi River and southern counties near Marion could see frost or a light freeze.
The National Weather Service offices in Chicago and Lincoln have issued freeze warnings across nearly the entire state, marking the official end of the growing season. Northwest winds of 25–35 mph will accompany the cold air Monday night, ushering in clear skies and rapid cooling.
According to the Weather Prediction Center’s Day 3–7 Hazards Outlook, Illinois sits directly in the center of the nation’s “Frost/Freeze” corridor, which spans from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes — one of the broadest early-November cold waves in years.
Tuesday’s highs will only reach the upper-30s to low-40s, nearly 20 degrees below normal for mid-November. A second morning of subfreezing temperatures is likely Wednesday before gradual moderation later in the week.
Residents are urged to protect pipes, bring pets indoors, and cover any remaining outdoor plants. Commuters should watch for frost on bridges and overpasses early Tuesday morning.
