Springfield, Illinois – Lingering smoke and haze will continue to reduce air quality across Central Illinois into tonight, keeping skies murky and visibility low. Drivers and outdoor workers should take precautions as smoke at the surface begins to thin out on Saturday, but a persistent layer of aloft smoke will keep that milky sky in place for much of the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, temperatures across the region will stay comfortable with overnight lows dropping into the mid-50s and highs holding in the upper 70s to low 80s through Sunday. Humidity will remain low for now, but moisture is set to increase early next week as weather patterns shift, bringing a more summerlike feel by Monday.
Communities east of I-55—including Bloomington, Champaign, and Decatur—could see scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms return as early as Monday. Roadways like I-55 and I-72 may experience reduced visibility from lingering smoke tonight, and isolated downpours could cause slick spots as storms develop.
Residents are advised to limit strenuous outdoor activity during periods of poor air quality, check local air quality indexes, and keep inhalers or respiratory medications handy if sensitive. With changing conditions ahead, stay alert for updated advisories and plan for unsettled weather into next week.
Warnings remain in effect for poor air quality through Saturday morning, with thunderstorm chances returning by Monday.
