RECORD

THURSDAY (Weather Alert): Unseasonably warm with highs breaking records, storms fire up around 5 pm. High: 89 TONIGHT (Weather Alert): Storms will move in by I-57 by 6-7 pm and the rest of the area a few hours later. Low: 39 

FRIDAY: Significantly cooler but not unseasonably cold with partly cloudy skies. High: 50 Low: 29 SATURDAY: Seasonable conditions with a mix of clouds and sunshine. High: 55 Low: 39 SUNDAY: Comfortable weather with partly cloudy skies. High: 63 Low: 51

Happy Thursday! We are starting off Thursday with unseasonably warm temperatures, especially for the morning hours. We will continue to warm up this afternoon with highs in the mid to upper 80s and can’t rule out some cities hitting 90. Daily high records will likely be crushed across the region, and some monthly records are in play. While the environment is primed this afternoon for storms, a strong cap will be in place and likely preventing any development until closer to the evening.

We are weather alert tonight due to the increased potential for strong to severe thunderstorms. A level 2 risk is in play for all of Central Illinois, but areas near Champaign and Decatur are now at a level 3 out of 5 risk.

Not only did the probability of storms increase but so has the intensity.

Very large hail up to baseball size is possible, especially during the first round of storms closer to 5 pm to 8 pm and near I-74 and Danville. Damaging winds up to 70+ mph are possible during any storm tonight. The tornado risk has remained the same, 5-9% across most of the area.

The timing from the widespread line of storms is closer to 8 pm, but it can continue until 1 am Friday morning. Heavy rainfall is possible as well so avoid driving through standing water.

Temperatures will fall apart in the overnight hours and not warming up on Friday. Highs in the upper 40s and low 50s, but we will have a good amount of sunshine. Saturday will be closer to seasonable conditions with mostly sunny skies. Above average temperatures return on Sunday and back to the upper 70s and low 80s by Monday. Another chance for showers & storms on Tuesday and Wednesday, but uncertainty remains on any impacts due to it still being far into the forecast.

Have a great week!