2/28 Illinois Weather 6 AM: Feels Like 8 Degrees

Good morning. Maine. I'm DJ Huzz. Folks, the state is running two completely different seasons today. A narrow snow band is sliding southeast out of the Dakotas, aimed right at northern Illinois. Where it hits, snowfall rates could spike to an inch per hour. Sounds dramatic. It's. but it's also brief. In the next 24 hours. Near and north of I-90, that snow arrives late morning and pushes through by early afternoon. Rockford to Evanston picks up half an inch to an inch. Closer to the Wisconsin line, maybe a touch more. The good news? Pavement is still holding warmth from yesterday. Most of this sticks to grass, bridges. and overpasses. but that gives you a one to two hour window where elevated surfaces get slippery. Drive accordingly. Now head south of I-80 and it's a different planet. Temperatures climb into the upper 40s. Springfield? Hits 56 degrees by mid afternoon with partly sunny skies. An isolated rain shower is possible around 3 P.M., but most spots stay dry. Meanwhile northern Illinois barely cracks the mid 30s. That's a 20 degrees split across one state. Overnight, lows drop into the mid 20s statewide. Sunday gets interesting. Cold air rolls in off Lake Michigan. Temperatures hold in the 30s everywhere. A lake effect snow band may brush the shore early Sunday morning. Think dusting, nothing more. Sunday night into Monday, a system tracking across Missouri might clip southern Illinois with an inch or two of snow along and south of I-74. Models keep pushing it farther south though. Then. The real plot twist. Tuesday through next weekend, the pattern flips hard. A stalled front sets up shop and waves of rain roll through. Strong thunderstorms are possible Wednesday. Highs climb into the 50s and 60s by late week. Central Illinois could see over 2 inches of rain. February exits. March enters swinging. Charge your phone before you head out today. If that snow band catches you on the tollway, you'll want traffic apps ready. That's your forecast — we'll be back tomorrow. For the extended outlook, check the latest forecast as confidence improves. Stay safe, stay prepared. and enjoy the day.