textproduct: Central Illinois

KEY MESSAGES

- An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect areawide today and for parts of the area Saturday with dangerous heat index values between 100 and 110 degrees.

- There is a very low chance (10-15%) for an isolated shower or thunderstorm late this afternoon and evening.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 147 AM CDT Fri Sep 4 2026

Heat will continue to be our main concern over the next week. An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect areawide through Friday. The Extreme Heat Warning will be maintained for the southern tier or two of counties (roughly Rushville to Robinson south) where peak indices will linger near or above 105F, however elsewhere isn't exactly cooling down significantly. Heat indices north of the warning remain around 100 degrees.

A backdoor cold front will push into the area late Saturday afternoon, which could bring "relief" Sunday and Monday, where heat indices will be in the low to mid 90s, rather than over 100, and highs in the upper 80s to low 90s. These, so-called, cooler temperatures will warm back up to mid to upper 90s by mid next week before backing off again by the end of the week.

We will continue to be in record territory for temperatures as this early September heat wave persists. Check out the climate section below for more details.

The SPC has removed the marginal risk for severe weather for central IL for today. A rogue shower or thunderstorm is not out of the question for the day today. However, the chances are quite low (< 20%) areawide for any activity. Despite decent CAPE values, forecast soundings show a very dry profile and low bulk shear values. Beyond today, the next potential for any rain activity comes late next week as the upper ridging pattern appears to break down.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1211 AM CDT Fri Sep 4 2026

VFR conditions expected the next 24 hours, with mainly some higher based (6-7kft) diurnal cumulus development toward midday. South winds will trend more toward the west for a time late morning into afternoon.

CLIMATE

Issued at 1211 AM CDT Fri Sep 4 2026

Record high temperatures through Saturday:

Location Fri 9/4 Sat 9/5 ======== ======== ======== Bloomington 100/1925 103/1899 Champaign 100/1954 102/1899 Charleston 98/1925 102/1954 Danville 101/1954 102/1954 Decatur 103/1913 104/1954 Jacksonville 103/1899 104/1899 Lincoln 102/1954 103/1954 Olney 103/1954 106/1925 Paris 104/1954 105/1954 Peoria 98/2015 104/1899 Springfield 100/1954 99/1954

ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Extreme Heat Warning until 7 PM CDT this evening for ILZ027>031-036>038-041>046-053>057-063. Extreme Heat Warning until 7 PM CDT Saturday for ILZ040- 047>052-061-062-066>068-071>073.