Decatur, Ill. (WAND)- Arctic air is set to plunge into central Illinois by the end of the week and linger into the first part of next week. Chief Meteorologist JC Fultz says a system will develop in the central Plains on Thursday and will bring some precipitation to the area Thursday night into Friday morning. Fultz says he is watching thermal profiles closely to see if there could be some snow mixing with rain Thursday night into Friday. Forecast models are in a little better agreement with respect to timing of the precipitation and showing some snow, but there still is some uncertainty. Fultz stresses this is not going to be a big deal and no accumulation is anticipated.Â
The biggest story will be the cold arctic air diving in behind this system. Temperatures will fall into the upper 30s to near 40 over the weekend and into the first part of next week. Temperatures will dive into the lower 20s Friday night into Saturday morning. A trough will dig into the eastern half of the nation allowing the cold air to invade.Â
  
The CPC (Climate Prediction Center) 8-14 day temperature outlook calls for below average temperatures to continue into the middle of the month.Â
