Smoky Conditions in Central Illinois Today

Storm Impacting the Northwest U.S.; Fire Weather Conditions in Southern California; Severe Weather in the South

A Pacific storm is bringing areas of low elevation rain, moderate to heavy mountain snow, and high winds to the Northwest. Strong Santa Ana winds and very dry conditions are producing elevated to critical fire weather conditions in southern California. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible through early Wednesday morning across parts of northeast Texas into western Tennessee. 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.