textproduct: Central Illinois

KEY MESSAGES

- The first snow flakes of the season are possible for locations northeast of a Bloomington to Mattoon line until this evening. Any accumulations will be minor and confined to grassy, elevated surfaces.

- Below normal temperatures will prevail through the weekend with temperatures gradually warming back above normal by the middle to end of next work week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 218 AM CST Fri Nov 13 2026

A large scale, slow moving upper level low remains anchored over the northeast U.S., with cyclonic, generally northerly flow on the western periphery of this low continuing over central IL. Embedded in this northerly flow around the upper low are a few shortwave features serving to provide periods of enhanced lift and shift the flow direction in the vicinity of Lake Michigan, allowing Lake- Effect shower bands to aim at portions of east-central IL. It is anticipated that these showers could affect this area through this evening. Temperatures will be marginal for snow and much of this activity seems likely to dissipate by reaching east- central IL, but some snowflakes and/or graupel could occasionally be noticeable, and some minor accumulations on grassy/elevated surfaces can't be ruled out. Friday night through the weekend the northeast upper low looks to change orientation and lift northeastward as a ridge over the west shifts east, ending the orientation of flow from Lake Michigan to east-central IL and producing a subsident, dry air mass over central IL that should remain well into next week. The next chance for precipitation looks to arrive late next week as the central U.S. ridge shifts far enough east that a cold front trailing a shortwave/surface low in the upper Midwest could bring some minor precipitation to central IL.

Temperatures will run below seasonal normals the next few days in northerly flow, with highs in the lower to middle 40s today, upper 40s Saturday, and around 50 Sunday. The warming trend will continue into next week, with highs above normal by midweek (upper 50s to lower 60s Wednesday/Thursday). Lows in the 20s can be expected the next several nights, a bit below normal, but not unusual for mid November.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 535 AM CST Fri Nov 13 2026

Isolated -shsn possible mainly east of KBMI-KDEC this AM as an upper level disturbance enhances lift in that area. Primarily VFR conditions expected for most of central IL, however east of KBMI-KDEC several hours of MVFR cigs and isolated MVFR vsby is possible through 18Z-24Z. Decreasing clouds and an end of showers expected across the area after 23Z-03Z. Winds NNW 10-15kts with gusts around 20 kts until 22Z-24Z then decreasing to under 8 kts.

ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.