Smoky Conditions in Central Illinois Today

Regional Outbreaks of Severe Weather Through Early Next Week; Early Season Heat Wave across the South

Active spring pattern across the center of our nation with several episodes of severe weather and heavy rainfall expected into next week. The potential for very large hail, long track tornadoes, severe wind gusts, frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes and flash flooding are in the outlook. Furthermore, dangerous early season heat wave continues for the Gulf Coast states into early next week. Read More >

...UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT HAZY/SMOKY CONDITIONS... Prairie grass burning was NOT being done around Lake Springfield today, but occurred yesterday. However, smoke from numerous spots doing burning earlier in various parts of central Illinois, combined with dirt and dust from a dry ground and harvesting has caused the hazy visibility and smoky smell. An increasing southwest wind gusting to 25-30 mph will allow the hazy visibility and smoke to improve early this afternoon. In addition, smoke from the western wildfires at higher levels in the atmosphere, about 5 to 6 miles aloft, are giving the sky a hazy and milky appearance across all of northern and central Illinois.