Illinois State Water Survey Illinois State Climatologist

NOAA Winter Forecast

The NOAA winter forecast was released last week. They say, For the second winter in a row, La Niña will influence weather patterns across the country, but as usual, it’s not the only climate factor at play. The ‘wild card’ is the lesser-known and less predictable Arctic Oscillation that could produce dramatic short-term swings in […]

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A Cold and Snowy Winter in Illinois

For anyone who lives in Illinois, it will come as no surprise that we were colder and snowier than normal this winter. The statewide average temperature for December-February was 24.9 degrees. That is 3.3 degrees below normal and the 17th coldest December-February since statewide record began in 1895. The coldest December-February in Illinois was 1977-78 […]

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Winter Outlook for Illinois – Wetter and Warmer

Winter outlook for precipitation (NOAA)

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released their official winter outlook today. The major influence in this winter’s weather will be the moderate to strong La Niña event occurring in the Pacific Ocean. Precipitation The winter outlook calls for an increased chance of above-normal precipitation across Illinois. They also state that the Ohio River Valley (including Illinois) is […]

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