SPRINGFIELD & CENTRAL ILLINOIS FORECAST

THE THREAT OF FREEZING RAIN DECREASES

WEDNESDAY (WEATHER ALERT): A chance of light freezing rain. Precipitation mainly in the form of plain rain for the afternoon. High: 36 Low: 34

THURSDAY: Drier weather as temperatures warm up a bit. High: 46 Low: 26

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with near-average temperatures. High: 39 Low: 32

SATURDAY: A wintry mix possible very early in the day, otherwise scattered showers throughout the day. High: 44 Low: 25

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy skies with another drop in temperatures. High: 35 Low: 23

Happy Wednesday! More wintry weather is possible for central Illinois. A poorly-defined weather disturbance is setting off patchy scattered areas of freezing rain and freezing drizzle on Wednesday. Temperatures are teetering around the 20s and low 30s into the afternoon hours, but temperatures should gradually rise into the mid 30s allowing the precipitation to transition to plain rain. Watch out for potentially some slick conditions and some icy spots if you are venturing out on Wednesday. Winter Weather Advisories continue for a handful of counties mainly north of Springfield.

By Wednesday night, rain chances continue along with a few isolated thundershowers as temperatures slowly rise into the upper 30s and low 40s. Finally for Thursday, the wet weather wraps up with a gradual clearing by the afternoon as temperatures warm up a touch and top out in the mid 40s. Then the work week ends up on a quiet note. Friday offers increasing clouds along with seasonably chilly temperatures and highs around 39.

But another weather maker moves in over the weekend. Late Friday into early Saturday, there could be a brief spurt of rain mixing with snow, but then quickly switching to rain with highs in the low 40s on Saturday. Any rain should be ending by Saturday night with dry skies on Sunday, but temperatures will be trending chillier with highs in the low to mid 30s on Sunday to wrap up the weekend.

Cheryl Lemke - Storm Team Chief Meteorologist

Don't forget to use our interactive radar when active weather strikes Central Illinois.

Have a great weather photo? We'd love to share it! Upload it via our Chime In page.

CHAMPAIGN & EAST-CENTRAL ILLINOIS FORECAST

FREEZING RAIN RISK DIMINISHING, TEMPERATURES WARM UP INTO THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Temperatures stay above freezing overnight. Low: 35

THURSDAY: Temperatures continue to warm up overnight with a warmer afternoon. High: 46 Low: 25

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with near-average temperatures. High: 38 Low: 33

SATURDAY: Another round of rain. Possible wintry mix in the early morning. High: 45 Low: 24

SUNDAY: Cloudy skies with another drop in temperatures. High: 35 Low: 21

Our freezing rain event on Wednesday turned out to be not much of anything. We had no reports of ice glazed over roadways but a few reports of ice on vehicles parked outside overnight. Our numbers will gradually warm up this evening and into Thursday, and it should be a decent day with temperatures pushing back into the mid-40s.

Our temperatures continue to ride the roller coaster as we approach the weekend. We'll cool down again on Friday and then warm up on Saturday. More rain is forecast for the weekend. Depending on temperatures early Saturday morning, a wintry mix may be possible before a switchover to all rain by late morning and afternoon.

As we look ahead to next week, the cold air looks like it will finally win the battle. Temperatures by Sunday-Monday should return to the mid-30s and then fall to the upper 20s by next Wednesday. Some snow is on the horizon, with some accumulation on Tuesday and Wednesday. Stay tuned as we continue to track that.

Darren Leeds - Storm Team Meteorologist

Watch FOX-Illinois News weeknights at 5:30 and 9 pm on WCCU/WRSP FOX Illinois or at Foxillinois.com

Have a great weather photo? We'd love to share it! Upload it here via our Chime In page.