Honestly, if you're looking at the weather forecast Wilmington il today, the numbers on your phone only tell half the story. Sure, it's cloudy. Yeah, it's 36°F right now. But for anyone living near the Kankakee River, the "feels like" temperature of 27°F isn't the biggest concern.
It’s the ice.
We’ve had a wild ride this January. Just a week ago, we were dealing with record-breaking warmth and rain that felt more like April than the dead of winter. Then, that weird snow squall on the 14th basically blinded anyone driving on I-55 for a good twenty minutes. Now, we’re settling into that familiar, gray Illinois chill that doesn’t seem to want to leave.
What’s Actually Happening Outside Today
Right now, Wilmington is sitting at exactly 36°F under a thick blanket of clouds. The wind is coming out of the west at about 13 mph, which is just enough to make you regret forgetting your scarf.
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If you’re heading out later, don't expect a tan. We’re looking at a high of 39°F and a low that's going to crater down to 17°F tonight. That’s a massive 22-degree drop.
Basically, anything that’s wet on the ground right now is going to be a sheet of ice by tomorrow morning.
The Ice Jam Situation: What Most People Get Wrong
People see "39 degrees" and think the ice is melting. It’s not that simple. The Will County EMA has already been out this week talking about flash flood conditions because of ice jams.
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When the river freezes, it doesn't always do it smoothly. It chunks up. These chunks—sometimes the size of small cars—wedge themselves together near the bridges and bends in Wilmington. This creates a makeshift dam. The water has nowhere to go, so it starts creeping up into yards on Water Street and North River Road.
Even with a 20% chance of snow today, the real "precipitation" risk is the water already in the river. If you live in the flood zone, you’ve probably already noticed the levels shifting. It’s unpredictable. One hour the bank looks fine; the next, you’re looking for your boots.
The Forecast Numbers You Need
Here is the breakdown of what the rest of Friday looks like:
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- Current Temp: 36°F
- Today's High: 39°F
- Tonight's Low: 17°F (Heads up: this is when the "flash freeze" happens)
- Wind: 14 mph from the southwest
- Humidity: Hovering around 72%
- Snow Chance: 20% during the day, 20% tonight
It’s that classic "mostly cloudy" vibe that defines an Illinois winter. The UV index is a flat zero, so you can leave the sunscreen at home.
Why the 17°F Low Matters
When the temperature drops below 20°F and stays there, it’s prime time for river ice to thicken. We saw this back in '24, and we’re seeing the setup for it again. If the wind picks up while the temperature is dropping tonight, that wind chill is going to feel closer to zero than 17.
Survival Tips for the Next 24 Hours
Kinda feels like we're always in "wait and see" mode here, doesn't it? If you're commuting or just trying to keep your basement dry, here's what actually helps:
- Watch the I-55 Bridge: Visibility can get sketchy fast over the Kankakee River. If that 20% snow chance turns into a localized burst, that bridge becomes a skating rink.
- Check Your Sump Pump: With the ground saturated from the recent rain and the river levels being weird, make sure your pump is actually cycling.
- Salt Early: Don't wait until 10:00 PM to salt your walkway. Do it while it’s still 36°F so the brine can set before the 17°F arctic air hits.
- River Watch: If you’re near the water, keep an eye on the "shelf ice." If you hear loud cracking or see the water level jump suddenly, that's an ice jam moving.
Wilmington weather is never just about the sky; it’s about the river and the roads. Stay warm, keep the lights on, and maybe grab an extra bag of salt on your way home.
Next Step: Keep an eye on the local river gauges at the Wilmington dam throughout the evening as temperatures begin to drop toward that 17°F low.