Meteorologists: Light snow and bitter cold to continue this week
Snow and low temperatures are expected this week in central Illinois, according to the National Weather Service.
First snow of fall underway but you will not need a shovel
Central Illinoisans can expect some snow mixed with rain and low wind chills Thursday afternoon and into the evening.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for Peoria, Champaign, Danville, and several other cities across central and southern Illinois. Wind chills range from the upper teens to 20’s in the morning and advises drivers to be cautious while on the road.
It sure is cold out there this morning. 🥶 Wind chills range from the upper teens to 20s just after 9 am. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/KyBiX54iiE
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) November 21, 2024
Strong northwest winds will occur this afternoon through this evening. Winds will be 20-30 mph with gusts of 40-50 mph possible across all of central and southeast Illinois. Travel will be difficult for high profile vehicles, especially on north-south roadways. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/vfHriBljeW
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) November 21, 2024
Snow is expected in the afternoon in northeastern parts of central and eastern Illinois. Northern Vermilion County may receive 1-2 inches.
Accumulating snow is expected this afternoon in northeastern portions of central and eastern Illinois. Highest amounts of 1-2 inches is possible across northern parts of Vermilion County, though the probabilities of this is only around 50%. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/GHCSRsg75T
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) November 21, 2024
Windy weather and cold temperatures will continue the next couple days, with Thursday being the coldest and windiest.Â
Windy and cool weather will continue the next couple days, with today being the coldest and windiest. Scattered snow showers, mixed with rain, will occur this afternoon across areas east of a Bloomington to Robinson line. Light accumulations are possible on grassy areas. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/TTiA9Ac4eo
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) November 21, 2024
I-74 reopens after massive field fire
OGDEN -A large and smoky farm field fire shut down I-74 east of Urbana for several hours Tuesday afternoon.
Heavy smoke obstructed the view for dozens of drivers in an area between St. Joseph and Fithian.
IPM meteorologist Andrew Pritchard said from the scene that Tuesday’s strong winds in central Illinois helped the fire spread quickly.
“At times as the fire moved through these corn crops that have not been harvested, the flames have been very tall-in some cases maybe 10-15 feet tall moving very quickly from south to north, so at times very intense fire conditions out here. “
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Firefighters and farmers were able to take out most of the flames after a couple of hours, and I-74 was reopened to traffic in the late afternoon.
There were reports of two other field fires Tuesday in Iroquois County and Pritchard said hot, dry and windy conditions may continue the risk of fires Wednesday. The National Weather Service also issued a warning about the risk of fires reoccurring due to high winds.
Southwest winds gusting near 40 mph and very dry fuels will bring elevated risk for the spread of outdoor fire again today. Burning is discouraged! #ILwx pic.twitter.com/2cxkOTVTQF
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) October 30, 2024
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Meteorologists: High winds and high fire danger in Central Illinois on Tuesday-Thursday
The National Weather Service in Central Illinois issued a fire weather watch for Tuesday afternoon through Thursday.Â
Meteorologists believe low humidity and south winds of 20-25 miles per hour (with gusts up to 40) will raise the chances that any fires that start could spread rapidly.
The fire weather watch includes Champaign, Christian, Coles, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Macon, Piatt, Sangamon, and Vermilion Counties. The Weather Service is asking people to avoid burning anything outside.