Sangamon County Office of Emergency Management

03/13/2026

Headline: Sangamon County Weather: The "Everything Everywhere All At Once" Edition ⛈️❄️🌬️

The National Weather Service is forecasting a meteorological identity crisis for our area starting Sunday afternoon through Monday night. We have a 60% chance of seeing just about every season in a 24-hour window.

Here’s the breakdown so you can plan your (very confused) wardrobe:

LATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON – EVENING

⛈️ The Storms: Thunderstorms are expected county-wide.

💨 The Risks: Potential for damaging winds and embedded tornadoes.

📍 East of I-55: Higher risk for severe weather, including frequent lightning and high winds.

SUNDAY NIGHT – MONDAY MORNING

☔️❄️🥶 The Transition: Rain ➡️ Cold ➡️ Snow.

❄️ Travel Alert: Rain will turn to snow overnight. Expect hazardous travel conditions and slippery/snow-covered roads for the Monday morning commute. 🚗❄️

SUNDAY & MONDAY NIGHTS

🥶 The Deep Freeze: Significant cold is moving in with wind chills dropping BELOW ZERO both nights.

❗️ Safety First: High potential for frostbite and livestock stress. Please make sure outdoor animals have proper shelter!

⁉️ Note: Just a friendly reminder that we live in a place where the daily forecast requires both a storm cellar and an ice scraper. Plan your commute and your layers accordingly! 🧥👕🧤

(Again)

03/11/2026

Sangamon County survived another 2 AM weather marathon! ⛈️🍀

In an effort to give our Assistant Emergency Manager, John and myself a night off, we’ve hired a consultant.

He’s a bit "stony" and doesn't say much, but his accuracy is literally rock-solid.

Current Status: Human John: ☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️
Stone John: 🗿 (Quietly judging the clouds)

We’re keeping both for now. If the stone goes missing, John is officially in charge of the radio. 📢👍🏼

03/09/2026

3/9 at 3 pm UPDATE: Tomorrow's Main Storm is expected to be between the hours of 5:30 - 10:30 pm.

Tuesday, March 10th Weather Alert according to the NWS.

To get all Sangamon County Weather and Safety alerts, download “Sangamon County Sheriff IL” app on your iPhone or Android. For more information, visit: https://sangamonil.gov/departments/a-c/county-board/news?ArtMID=8871&ArticleID=821

03/09/2026

🚨I-55 potential morning commute alert‼️

If you use I-55 around Springfield or Chatham, recommend using Google Maps or some other service. At least one confirmed wreck that has I-55 closed.

02/26/2026

Good news/Bad news... 🌳🔥

My Dad called me once with a "situation." The good news? He accidentally caught a dying tree on fire—problem solved! The bad news? The Fire Dept. had to show up to help put it out. 🚒

⚠️ FRIDAY ELEVATED FIRE DANGER ALERT (Feb 27):
💨 Wind Gusts: 25-35 mph
💧 Humidity: As low as 25%
🚫 STAY SAFE: No outdoor burning!

The Takeaway: Hiring a pro is way cheaper than a surprise visit from the Fire Department! 🌲💸

02/19/2026

🌵 FROM CANTEENS TO LIFE VESTS ⛈️
If you saw a lizard 🦎 carrying a canteen through Chatham yesterday, tell him to trade it in for a snorkel. 🤿 We are officially done with the "Chihuahuan Desert" vibes and moving straight into a Level 2 of 5 Severe Weather Risk for Thursday.

The Recap:
🦎 Yesterday: We were breathing bone-dry air that traveled 1,500 miles from Mexico. It was a "moisture sponge" that turned our fields into multiple brush fires in the county.
⛈️ Today/Thursday: The sky is finally fighting back—but it’s bringing some muscle with it.

🚨 THE THREAT ASSESSMENT (Thursday, 10 AM – 6 PM):
We are currently under a Slight Risk (Level 2) for scattered severe storms. Here is what to watch for while you're out and about in Sangamon County:
💨 Damaging Winds: Hold onto your hats (and your trash cans).
🌪️ Isolated Tornadoes: Have a plan and a place to go.
🧊 Large Hail: Not the kind you want in your soda.

✅ WHAT TO DO:
1. Be Weather Aware: Keep your phone charged and your alerts turned ON.
2. Check the Sky: Storms are expected to develop in the late morning and exit by the evening.
3. Secure the Yard: If you bought patio furniture to enjoy that "desert warmth," make sure it’s tied down before the wind picks up.

Stay safe and stay dry, Sangamon County! Let's hope this rain helps with the current drought we are still in.



Don’t worry - this is only a one day special. There is still potential for another weather adventure this weekend with decreasing temperatures 😑🫣

02/18/2026

🚨 Sangamon County or Mexico? 🌵
If the air feels different today, it’s because it is. We are currently breathing and smelling "Chihuahuan Desert Air"—an air mass that traveled 1,500 miles from the largest desert in North America directly into Central Illinois.

This air is high-altitude and bone-dry. It acts like a moisture sponge, is deceptively warm and is currently turning our landscape into giant matches. Suggestions:
🚫 No burning today. 🚫 No tossing butts.
🚫 No parking on dry grass.

Let’s keep the desert vibes to the weather, not the landscape.

02/17/2026

🌪️ SANGAMON COUNTY WEATHER OUTLOOK ❄️
Hold onto your hats (and your trash cans)—we’ve got a busy week ahead! Here is the breakdown of what to expect:

🌬️ TONIGHT: High Wind Gusts

Impact: Gusts up to 45 mph across the entire county.

The Danger: Difficult driving for high-profile vehicles. Also, a high probability of migrating lawn furniture. 🪑💨

🔥 WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: Elevated Fire Danger

Impact: Dry and breezy conditions.

Where: Areas Northwest of I-55 are at the highest risk.

The Danger: Rapid fire spread. Please postpone brush burning unless you’re looking for a very awkward (and very expensive) chat with the local fire department. 🚒🚫

⛈️ THURSDAY AFT/EVE: Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5)

Impact: Severe storms possible across all of Sangamon County.

The Danger: Damaging wind gusts, isolated tornadoes, and hail.

Pro Tip: The porch is for birdwatching, not tornado-tracking. Stay weather-aware! 📺🛡️

🌡️ THE WEEKEND FLIP: 60s to Snow

We’ll enjoy temperatures in the 60s through Thursday.

Saturday: Snow is possible. ❄️

Saturday Night: Temperatures will plummet into the 20's

01/30/2026

⚠️ SNOW FATALITY UPDATE from 1/29/2026 at 8 am⚠️

😢🕊️ At least 111 deaths have now been confirmed from this weekend’s powerful winter storm. Bitter cold, widespread ice, and dangerous travel conditions proved deadly across multiple U.S. states and parts of Canada.

01/25/2026

❄️ Sangamon County Winter Weather Update ❄️ 2" so far... 6 - 10" more. ⏰ Heaviest snow: 3:00 a.m. – midday tomorrow ❄️

🌬️ 15 - 25 mph winds with blowing & drifting dry snow, especially on east–west roads

🥶 Dangerous wind chills –19°F Sunday and –10°F Monday night

🚗 Travel may be hazardous! Stay home if possible!

01/24/2026

💫Did you know: If you experience a single vehicle 🚗, property-damage-only crash where there were no injuries to anyone involved, and it occurred on either an Interstate or a U.S. or Illinois Route, you can file your report online at https://isp.illinois.gov/CrashReports/CrashReportDisclaimer

According to the US National Weather Service, a winter storm will bring accumulating snow to parts of central and southern Illinois today into Sunday. Avoid travel if possible, and check road conditions at www.gettingaroundillinois.com.

If you experience a a single vehicle, property-damage-only crash where there were no injuries to anyone involved, and it occurred on either an Interstate or a U.S. or Illinois Route, you can file your report online at https://isp.illinois.gov/CrashReports/CrashReportDisclaimer.

01/23/2026

❄️Sangamon County Winter Weather Update from the US National Weather Service Central Illinois❄️

🕘 Winter Storm Warning: Saturday 9:00 a.m. – Sunday midnight
Slow-moving storm with two rounds of snow expected.

⚠️ Moderate storm impacts expected Saturday night through Sunday afternoon, including hazardous driving conditions and possible travel disruptions.

Saturday
• Snow late morning–afternoon (~1")
• Additional 2–3" overnight
• Winds 10–15 mph

Sunday
• Snow mid-afternoon–evening (2–3")
• Winds 20–25 mph

➡️ Total snowfall: 4–10 inches

🥶 Cold Weather Advisory
• Wind chills as low as –16°F tonight & Sunday night

🚗 Slow down, allow extra travel time, and check on vulnerable neighbors.

📢 Sangamon County OEM will continue monitoring conditions and provide updates.

And yes, most of Sangamon County is still in a severe drought... expected to last through the end of April