Champaign, Ill. – Thick fog is making Thursday morning commutes dangerous across central and eastern Illinois, with visibility plunging below a quarter mile in some areas as of 4 a.m.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, patchy dense fog formed overnight and will persist through mid-morning, affecting cities from Bloomington to Robinson. Drivers may encounter rapid shifts in visibility, especially along rural highways and low-lying areas.
Counties under the advisory include Champaign, Macon, Vermilion, Effingham, and Clark. Roads near Urbana, Decatur, and Mattoon are particularly at risk. At the University of Illinois Willard Airport, visibility dropped to just 1/30 mile around 3:50 a.m. CDT, with 93% humidity contributing to the misty conditions.
If you’re on the road, slow down and keep your headlights on low beam. Officials recommend leaving extra space between vehicles and allowing additional time to reach your destination.
Conditions are expected to improve by 9 a.m., but lingering patches could remain in shaded or low-elevation spots. Stay tuned for further advisories if fog redevelops overnight or into the weekend.
