textproduct: Central Illinois

KEY MESSAGES

- Well above normal temperatures persist through Friday, with highs climbing to the mid 70s to around 80 degrees, around 15 degrees above normal.

- There could be some sprinkles (north of I-72) or light rain showers (near and south of I-72) this afternoon. Any significant rain chances are likely to hold off until early next week.

- While rain chances are expected Halloween (Saturday) morning north of I-72, dry conditions are expected for any miscellaneous outdoor activities later in the day.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 237 AM CDT Thu Oct 29 2026

There is a cold front off to the northwest of the CWA in Iowa this morning. It will dip down into central IL today. There could be some sprinkles (north of I-72) or light rain showers (near and south of I- 72) this afternoon. Chances for showers are greatest tomorrow into tomorrow night, near and north of I-72 (40-70% chance). More light rain chances remain in the forecast through the weekend as the frontal boundary lingers in the region. Fortunately, trick or treating (or other fall activities) hours on Saturday look to be during one of the lulls in precip chances in the forecast. Whatever light rain manages to fall between now and Sunday will do little to alleviate the ongoing dry conditions.

The start of November will usher in quite a significant pattern change. The synoptic models continue to develop a large, cutoff, deepening upper low over the central Plains early next week, with an associated intensifying surface low. This system will bring the greatest chances for showers and thunderstorms to the area within the next week. The NBM has a widespread 50-70% chance across central and southeastern IL focused on Monday evening into Tuesday evening. Anomalous PWATs for November are forecast for this system's passage, values 1.5-1.8 inches on various models. The LREF shows a 50-70% chance for over 1 inch of rain to fall in total through Wednesday morning west of I-57.

Temperatures will continue to be above normal; however, will trend slightly cooler starting Saturday into next week. Temperatures will be in the upper 60s to low 70s for highs, which is still above normal. The CPC's 6-10 day, 8-14 day, and Week 3-4 outlooks are all continuing to show above normal temperatures. The additional cloud cover and increased rain chances this weekend into next week may inhibit the temperatures from getting too warm, potentially being cooler than what is in the forecast now.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 451 AM CDT Thu Oct 29 2026

A cold front positioned over eastern IA/southern WI will drop south through the area today. Scattered to broken mid-level clouds will precede the front with ceiling heights dropping to 3-5k ft as the front passes. South winds will veer to the west- southwest by late morning, and then will become northerly by the evening hours. Some light rain/sprinkles may occur throughout the day at any of the sites but confidence isn't high enough to include them into the TAFs.

ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.