SPRINGFIELD & CENTRAL ILLINOIS FORECAST

THE THREAT OF FREEZING RAIN DECREASES

WEDNESDAY (WEATHER ALERT): A chance of light freezing rain. Precipitation mainly in the form of plain rain for the afternoon. High: 36 Low: 34

THURSDAY: Drier weather as temperatures warm up a bit. High: 46 Low: 26

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with near-average temperatures. High: 39 Low: 32

SATURDAY: A wintry mix possible very early in the day, otherwise scattered showers throughout the day. High: 44 Low: 25

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy skies with another drop in temperatures. High: 35 Low: 23

Happy Wednesday! More wintry weather is possible for central Illinois. A poorly-defined weather disturbance is setting off patchy scattered areas of freezing rain and freezing drizzle on Wednesday. Temperatures are teetering around the 20s and low 30s into the afternoon hours, but temperatures should gradually rise into the mid 30s allowing the precipitation to transition to plain rain. Watch out for potentially some slick conditions and some icy spots if you are venturing out on Wednesday. Winter Weather Advisories continue for a handful of counties mainly north of Springfield.

By Wednesday night, rain chances continue along with a few isolated thundershowers as temperatures slowly rise into the upper 30s and low 40s. Finally for Thursday, the wet weather wraps up with a gradual clearing by the afternoon as temperatures warm up a touch and top out in the mid 40s. Then the work week ends up on a quiet note. Friday offers increasing clouds along with seasonably chilly temperatures and highs around 39.

But another weather maker moves in over the weekend. Late Friday into early Saturday, there could be a brief spurt of rain mixing with snow, but then quickly switching to rain with highs in the low 40s on Saturday. Any rain should be ending by Saturday night with dry skies on Sunday, but temperatures will be trending chillier with highs in the low to mid 30s on Sunday to wrap up the weekend.

Cheryl Lemke - Storm Team Chief Meteorologist

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CHAMPAIGN & EAST-CENTRAL ILLINOIS FORECAST

STORM SYSTEM BRINGS FREEZING RAIN POTENTIAL TO THE REGION WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY NIGHT: Overcast and breezy tonight. Low: 29

WEDNESDAY (WEATHER ALERT): A chance of light freezing rain by late morning. Rain takes over in the afternoon. High: 39 Low: 36

THURSDAY: A few leftover showers, then partly cloudy skies. High: 46 Low: 25

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with near-average temperatures. High: 39 Low: 32

SATURDAY: Another round of rain. High: 45 Low: 23

Mother Nature provided us with a reality check as temperatures plummeted into the 30s and 40s on Tuesday. For Wednesday, we get another dose of wet weather which could bring the potential for freezing rain to the region. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Central Illinois from 6AM to Noon on Wednesday with the highest likelihood of freezing rain by the late morning.

This system is still developing across the Central Plains and it will grab warmer air and moisture as it pushes into the Midwest. I still think that by the time the moisture begins to push into our area, our temperatures will be too warm to support the development of freezing rain and instead, we'll be seeing mainly a rain event. The better potential for freezing rain will remain up to the north where they will see the colder air linger. If we do receive anything, it will be a very light glaze on untreated roads.

Temperatures will continue to ride a rollercoaster this week. We'll warm up, cool down, and warm up again. The trend will continue through the weekend, and then some more seasonal conditions will return to next week's forecast. Another shot of rain looks likely on Saturday with temps near 50 degrees. However, next week the colder air returns and that will come with more potential for snow. Stay tuned as we continue to watch that.

Darren Leeds - Storm Team Meteorologist

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