Feb 10 | Weekly Climate Review & Forecast

Another week, another mild weather pattern for early February. Average temperatures the past week ranged from the high 20s in northern Illinois to the low 40s in southern Illinois, 4 to 12 degrees above normal. The mild start to February follows the fifth warmest January on record statewide. Last month was a full 7 degrees warmer than our current 30-year normal, and 10 degrees warmer than January 2022. The relatively warm winter has lead to concerns of early dormancy break in perennials, which could increase the risk of spring freeze damage if we continue with a milder pattern into March.

Most of the state picked up at least a third of an inch of rainfall or rain-snow mix this week. Totals were closer to 1 inch in central Illinois and 3 to 4 inches in far southern Illinois. January ended wetter than normal statewide, lead by counties in southern and northern Illinois that were 1 to 1.5 inches wetter than normal. Meanwhile, most of central Illinois was near to half an inch drier than normal last month. Overall, most places in the state north of Interstate 70 have had near-normal precipitation since the start of the year, while southern Illinois is 1 to 4 inches wetter than normal over that time. The wetter conditions in southern Illinois particularly have helped ease drought conditions from last fall. The latest US Drought Monitor only hangs on to abnormal dryness, not drought, in southern Illinois.

Our mild pattern looks to continue at least through the next two weeks. Much of the state may even see highs into the 60s in the middle part of next week, ahead of a cold front that will usher in some more seasonable air. Meanwhile, forecasts remain on the wet side, at least towards the end of next week. 7-day forecasted totals range from half an inch to about 1.5 inches, and outlooks for the third week of the month also lean wetter than normal.