Peoria, IL – A sharp drop in overnight temperatures is expected to bring widespread frost and possible freeze conditions across parts of Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana through Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters say patchy frost will form across central Illinois and eastern Iowa tonight, with a stronger cold push arriving Thursday night into early Friday that could lead to a hard freeze in northern Illinois and portions of northern Indiana.
According to meteorologists, temperatures will fall into the upper 20s to low 30s in areas shaded dark blue and purple on forecast maps — including Rockford, Joliet, LaSalle, Lafayette, and Fort Wayne. The coldest air is expected along the I-39 and I-94 corridors, where growing season-ending freezes are possible.
Residents in Peoria, Bloomington, and Champaign could still see patchy to widespread frost, while southern Illinois and Missouri remain mostly frost-free this week.
Agricultural experts advise residents to cover sensitive plants, disconnect garden hoses, and prepare outdoor plumbing for colder nights. Drivers may also notice frosty windshields during early commutes Thursday and Friday.
The freeze threat should ease by the weekend as temperatures slowly rebound into the upper 50s and low 60s by Sunday.
