textproduct: Central Illinois

KEY MESSAGES

- A stretch of seasonably warm weather is expected to begin Sunday and last through Friday, with daily temperatures climbing into the upper 70s and lower 80s, with mid 80s likely on Tuesday afternoon. Gusty south to southwest winds, occasionally reaching 30-40 mph. LREF has a 30-70% chance of greater than 35 mph wind gusts Sunday afternoon from I-72 north. - A multi-day severe weather risk is emerging for mid week, with SPC having a 15% or greater risk of severe storms over much of central and southeast IL on Tuesday and Wednesday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 245 PM CDT Fri Apr 10 2026

The 19Z/2 pm surface map shows a cold front approaching Lawrenceville county in far southeast IL, just recently passing through Robinson and Olney. A few band of rain showers were in southeast IL from I-70 south while the heavier showers were south of I-64 in far southern IL and extending back into southern MO and northeast OK where thunderstorms were more common. Low clouds blanketed central and southeast IL, with clearing just nw of IL. Temps ranged from lower to mid 50s from I-72 north to the low to mid 70s se of I-70 with the Mt Carmel airport in southern Lawrence county at 79F.

Cold front to sweep se toward the Ohio river by sunset taking its showers with it and ending in se IL by supper time. 1030 mb high pressure over southern MN and nw Iowa to track into southern lower MI and strengthen to 1032-1033 mb by dawn Saturday. This will keep much of CWA dry tonight with cooler lows in the low to mid 40s (upper 40s from highway 50 south).

As high pressure shifts into the eastern Great Lakes by sunset Saturday, a warm front to lift ne across MO and approach west central and sw IL by early Saturday evening. Will see some return moisture into the MS river valley on Saturday with 20-40% chance of showers into west central IL by late Sat morning and into central parts of CWA during Sat afternoon. Thunder chances still appear to be west and sw of CWA on Saturday. Highs Saturday in the lower 60s from I-74 north and upper 60s/lower 70s in southeast IL.

Warm front to lift quickly ne over IL during Saturday night as se winds turn southerly and increase to breezy levels by early Sunday morning in central IL. Chances of showers and thunderstorms Sat night appear to mostly be north of central IL, but we have low pops in Marshall, Stark and northern Knox counties Sat evening.

Strong south winds on Sunday with gusts 25-40 mph with strongest winds north of I-70. LREF has 30-70% chance of wind gusts over 35 mph north of I-72 on Sunday afternoon. Warmer highs in the upper 70s to around 80F on Sunday. Should see increasing chances of showers and thunderstorms during Sunday afternoon from I-55 west, with likely pops west/nw of the IL river. The higher chances of convection shift into eastern IL too during Sunday night, then diminishing pops during Monday as short wave lifts ne of area. SPC keeps risk of severe storms west of IL Sunday afternoon through Monday night. Highs Monday in the lower 80s with mid 80s from Springfield sw with breezy sw winds gusting 25-35 mph.

Higher chances of convection arrive Tue into Wed along with chance of severe storms as SPC has 15% or higher risk of severe Tue afternoon/Tue night over much of CWA except far se counties and then 15% or greater risk of severe storms across area Wed and Wed night. Highs in the low to mid 80s Tue and mostly lower 80s Wed, with upper 70s far nw CWA by Galesburg. The warmer and more humid air moving into area to increase chances of heavier rainfall too with some areas seeing over 1 inch especially north of I-70. Warm and unsettled weather pattern looks to continue Thu/Fri.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 530 PM CDT Fri Apr 10 2026

MVFR cloud deck is scattering out from the north as we get closer to sunset, but it may take until closer to 02z for ceilings to improve from KSPI east to KCMI. Once it does, VFR conditions prevail the remainder of the period, though ceilings near 5000 feet develop during the afternoon. Northerly winds will trend more toward the southeast overnight, and while lessening during the night, increase back to around 10 knots by mid morning Saturday.

ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.