Springfield, IL – A bitterly cold air mass has settled over central Illinois and is expected to remain in place through Friday morning, bringing near-record cold for early December and a possible return of snow by the weekend.
According to the US National Weather Service in Lincoln, temperatures will struggle to climb above the mid-20s Thursday, with overnight lows dipping into the single digits and lower teens. Areas north of I-70 could see subzero wind chills by Thursday night, while southern counties remain only slightly warmer.
Friday will bring continued cold and partly cloudy skies, with daytime highs reaching around 30 degrees before dropping again into the low 20s overnight. Saturday and Sunday will see a slight warmup into the mid-30s, but forecasters say snow chances return by Saturday night, especially south of I-70.
The National Weather Service notes a 20–30% chance of snow or a wintry mix Saturday night through Sunday, followed by continued cold early next week. Monday’s highs may reach the mid-30s before another drop into the teens overnight.
Residents are urged to bundle up, limit time outdoors, and check on vulnerable neighbors and pets as the coldest air of the season settles in.
