Peoria, Illinois — Temperatures dropping into the mid to upper 30s will trigger patchy frost across central Illinois overnight, threatening gardens and sensitive vegetation north of I-74 before sunrise Saturday.
Cold air settling into low-lying areas in Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign and Galesburg between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. Saturday will allow frost to form on exposed surfaces, especially in rural fields and sheltered neighborhoods. Early morning drivers may also encounter reduced visibility in isolated low spots where shallow ground fog develops.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, lows will fall to 34°F to 38°F along and north of the I-74 corridor, creating a 10% to 30% chance of frost development before temperatures rise shortly after sunrise.
Frost can form quickly on plant surfaces in low-lying yards and agricultural areas, potentially damaging early-season crops, gardens and ornamental plants. This is part of a broader system bringing seasonably cool air into the region behind a departing weather disturbance.
Low spots near river valleys and rural drainage areas north of Peoria and Champaign are most vulnerable, where colder air pools and increases frost coverage.
Residents should cover sensitive plants or bring them indoors overnight and avoid leaving vegetation exposed in open fields or backyard gardens.
The highest risk for frost damage will occur between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. Saturday, when temperatures are coldest and surface frost is most likely to develop.
