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Tropical storm Francine is forecast to intensify to a hurricane today before reaching the Gulf Coast. While it's slated to weaken to a depression before approaching the Midwest, it will bring with it plenty of moisture to give parts of the area beneficial rain. #ILwx

Temperatures will warm through mid-week, cooling slightly toward the weekend as Francine's remnants bring clouds and perhaps some beneficial rain to the region. #ILwx

Quite an expansive area of wildfire smoke aloft across the central U.S. today, seen by the milky gray shades (with thick smoke in the tan areas along the ND/MN border). Actual clouds are seen as bright white. #ILwx

While skies will look rather dull due to the smoke aloft, any actual cloudiness should largely hold off until Thursday. With the dry air mass in place, pleasant sleeping temperatures will give way to very warm weather in the afternoon, though it will not be humid. #ILwx

Rain chances arrive Thursday night as the remnants of #Francine move up the mid-Mississippi Valley. Highest chances for >1" of rain are near and south of I-70 (60-70% chance). #ILwx

While skies will look rather dull due to the smoke aloft, any actual cloudiness should largely hold off until Thursday. With the dry air mass in place, temperatures will be very warm the next two afternoon, though it will not be humid. #ILwx

Rain will return late this week, as remnants of a hurricane make their way NE. Latest trends suggest the remnants arriving in SE IL beginning Thur night. The highest potential for over an inch remains S of I-70. Chances for light rain will continue through the weekend. #ILwx

Fair skies through tonight with lingering smoke layer aloft. Increasing clouds from the south on Thursday and warm. Good chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms overnight Thu night and Friday, especially south of I-72. Lingering chances of showers this weekend. #ILwx

Remnants of #Francine will bring some rain to central and southeast Illinois beginning Thursday night, though overall impacts appear to be on the lower side for us. 40-60% chance of seeing over an inch of rain south of I-70 from this system. #ILwx

Remnants of Hurricane Francine will move into southern IL beginning late tonight and continue through the weekend. Rain showers will be likely (60-80%) south of I-72 with the highest rainfall amounts (1-2") south of I-70. #ILwx

Above normal temperatures will continue one more day, under mostly sunny skies, reaching into the middle 80s. However, clouds and rain showers from remnants of Hurricane Francine will arrive later tonight and continue through the weekend. #ILwx

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Remnants of Hurricane Francine will move into southern IL beginning late tonight and continue through the weekend. Rain showers will be likely (60-70%) in southeast IL with areas south of I-70 seeing the highest rainfall amounts (0.75-1.5"). #ILwx

The remnants of Francine have begun to spread rain into far southern Illinois. However, with dry air we have in place in our area, it will likely take until midnight or so for it to make it up to the I-70 corridor. #ILwx

Scattered rain showers in central IL today, mainly south of I-72. Low chances for occasional showers and T-storms will continue through the weekend. #ilwx

Most of the weekend will be dry, but some isolated to widely scattered showers are possible at times. Temperatures will warm back into the 80s this weekend and the summer-like warmth will linger though the upcoming week. #ilwx

Warm weather will return to central IL today and continue through the upcoming work week. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible today, but there is little chance for widespread or prolonged rain. #ilwx

Dry and quiet weather is expected for the rest of the weekend and into early next week. Expect above average temperatures to continue. #ilwx

Warm and mostly dry weather in central IL this week. Isolated showers and thunderstorms possible in west-central IL today, but little chance for widespread or prolonged rain. #ilwx