By early December standards, an unusually cold arctic airmass is moving into Central Illinois tonight and may challenge daily low-temperature records, especially across areas north of I-70.
Overnight lows will plunge to –5° to +10°, with wind chills dropping as low as –15° tonight and again Thursday night. Locations including Galesburg, Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, Danville, and Jacksonville will feel the brunt of the coldest air.
This level of cold is highly unusual for early December and could bring conditions more typical of mid-winter. If you must be outside, dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and limit time outdoors. Pets should be brought indoors.
Residents are urged to:
- Keep gas tanks at least half full
- Pack blankets and a winter safety kit
- Maintain tire pressure
- Protect pipes by allowing faucets to drip and monitoring furnace performance
The bitter cold will ease slightly heading into the weekend, but another round of cold wind chills is possible Friday morning.
