Why Potholes Form in Central Illinois If you live or work in Central Illinois, you already know how unpredictable our weather can be. One day it feels freezing, the next day it warms up, and all that back and forth in temperature is tough on asphalt. When water slips into small cracks and freezes, it expands. When it melts, the pavement settles. Over time, this repeated freeze and thaw cycle causes potholes to form. The Importance of Midwest Pothole Repair Potholes never stay