Jan 03 | Climate Review and Weather Forecast
Happy new year! We’ll start 2025 by looking back at 2024 and then looking ahead to some significant weather this upcoming week. Official numbers will be released next week, but it’s likely 2024 was a top 5 warmest year on record statewide, with only 2012 and 1998 possibly warmer overall. What we do know is that 2024 was the warmest year on record in both Chicago and Peoria, and a top 5 warmest in most cities around the state.
Last year ended around 5 inches wetter than normal statewide and will likely be a top 25 wettest year on record statewide. It was a top 10 wettest year on record in many places in southern Illinois, including in Waterloo and Metropolis. While much of the Metro East area was 12 to 20 inches wetter than normal last year, most of the rest of the state was closer to 2 to 5 inches wetter than normal. Only parts of eastern Illinois along the Indiana border had below normal precipitation in 2024.
Now looking ahead: a strong winter system will move through the Midwest this Sunday into Monday. Model guidance is still a bit fraught, but it generally looks like the best potential for heavier snow is around and just to the south of Interstate 72 between Quincy and Champaign. Actual snowfall totals will, of course, vary a lot, but there is a potential of seeing 6-8 inches or more along the heaviest snow corridors on Sunday into Monday. Those south of Interstate 70 have better chances of freezing precipitation and significant ice accumulation. Combined with very strong winds, travel will be very difficult in central and southern Illinois on Sunday and early next week. Very cold air will follow the winter weather, dropping nighttime low temperatures into the single digits to below zero in the middle of next week. Wind chill values could approach -15 to -20 degrees, so this is the first shot of dangerous cold we’ve had this season. Overall, this upcoming week is a good one to stay weather aware, avoid travel if at all possible, and make sure to take preparations if you have to venture out in the cold and snow.