Springfield, IL – A wind advisory remains in effect for areas of central Illinois north of Interstate 70 through 9 p.m. Thursday, with gusts reaching up to 52 mph in some regions.
According to the National Weather Service Central Illinois, southwest winds have already peaked at 52 mph at Coles County Memorial Airport and are expected to continue gusting near 45 mph throughout the evening. Locations such as Springfield, Decatur, Bloomington, and Peoria are experiencing sustained gusts between 38–46 mph.
Officials warn that unsecured objects may be blown around and that sporadic power outages are possible. High-profile vehicles traveling along I-55, I-72, and I-74 may face hazardous driving conditions due to sudden wind shifts.
Residents are advised to secure outdoor furniture, avoid parking under trees, and use caution if driving, especially in open rural areas. Wind strength like this, though not uncommon in early spring, can still cause minor structural damage or tree limb breakage.
This advisory covers much of central Illinois, including Champaign, Galesburg, Danville, and Effingham, with wind impacts expected to ease by late evening. The Illinois Department of Transportation encourages drivers to monitor travel alerts and delay unnecessary trips until winds subside.
