Smoky Conditions in Central Illinois Today

Slight Risk for Excessive Rainfall and Severe Thunderstorms Thursday

Additional rounds of thunderstorms are expected Thursday and Thursday night across Oklahoma and north Texas, with risks for both large hail and flash flooding. Strong winds may accompany any storms from east Texas northeast through the lower Great Lakes. 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.