Springfield, IL — Central Illinois is heading toward an unusually warm Christmas week, with temperatures climbing well above normal and conditions more typical of early spring than late December.
According to the National Weather Service in Central Illinois, a sustained warming trend will begin early next week, following a cooler stretch this weekend. While Saturday and Sunday will remain seasonable, temperatures are expected to rise steadily heading into Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
High temperatures in the Springfield area are forecast to climb into the upper 50s to low 60s by Tuesday, then continue warming into the mid-60s to near 70 degrees by Wednesday and Thursday. Some areas of central Illinois could approach near-record highs on Christmas Day.
Equally notable will be the overnight temperatures. Forecasters say Christmas morning lows may only fall into the 50s, a sharp contrast to typical December mornings, which usually start in the 20s. The National Weather Service joked that Santa may not need his usual cold-weather gear this year.
The mild weather is being driven by a large-scale pattern allowing warm air to surge northward into the Midwest while keeping colder air locked well to the north. As a result, no snow or wintry precipitation is expected across central Illinois through Christmas.
This forecast all but rules out a white Christmas for Springfield and surrounding communities, including Decatur, Bloomington-Normal, and Champaign-Urbana. Instead, residents can expect dry conditions and mild temperatures favorable for holiday travel and outdoor activities.
While the warmth may be welcome, forecasters note that such departures from normal are notable for late December. Normal highs for Christmas Day in Springfield are typically in the low 40s.
Residents are encouraged to stay updated as Christmas week approaches, but confidence is growing that unseasonably mild weather will dominate central Illinois through the holiday.
