Springfield, IL – Central Illinois is preparing for a stretch of unsettled winter weather from December 18–24, with NOAA’s long-range maps showing above-normal precipitation and temperatures hovering near seasonal norms. This combination supports snow, sleet, and possible freezing rain, especially as colder air deepens closer to Christmas Eve.
According to NOAA, northern sections of Central Illinois—including Bloomington-Normal, Lincoln, Pontiac, and Clinton—sit near the edge of a cooler temperature trend. This region is most likely to see accumulating snow from passing systems between December 19–22, with temperatures cold enough to support wintry precipitation for extended periods.
Farther south—Springfield, Decatur, Champaign-Urbana, and Danville—temperatures are more marginal, hovering near freezing during overnights and early mornings. This increases the potential for freezing drizzle or light glaze ice between December 19–21, before colder air pushes south later in the week. Rain–snow mix is likely, with transitions to snow possible December 22–24.
Western and central counties—including Jacksonville, Rushville, and Beardstown—may see quick swings between rain and snow as storm systems move through the Midwest. Even minor icing or bursts of wet snow could lead to slick bridges and reduced visibility.
Major travel routes—including I-55, I-72, I-57, U.S. 51, and U.S. 36—may face icy patches, wet snow, and slowdowns, especially December 21 through Christmas Eve, when impacts appear strongest.
