Smoky Conditions in Central Illinois Today

Heavy Rain and Severe Weather Across the South; Heavy Snow for Rockies

Showers and thunderstorms will impact the Deep South and Lower Mississippi Valley and portions of the eastern Great Lakes and Northeast through today. Excessive rainfall could lead to flash flooding from eastern Texas into the lower Mississippi Valley alongside the threat of severe thunderstorms. Some of these storms may contain large hail and tornadoes. Meanwhile, heavy snow expected for Rockies 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.