Jan 06 | Weekly Climate Summary & Weather Forecast
2023 got off to a mild start, with average temperatures from the low 30s in northern Illinois to the low 50s in southern Illinois, between 10 and 18 degrees above normal. Most places saw at least one day with a high in the 60s last week, including 69 degree highs in Alton and Du Quoin. The past week, between December 30th and January 5th, was the warmest on record in Peoria and the second warmest on record in Rockford and Paducah. The mild weather this week was particularly remarkable given the extreme cold in the previous week. While the official numbers won’t be released until next week, December was likely within a few tenths of a degree above normal. The entire year of 2022 was likely between one tenth and 1 degree below normal.
A series of weather systems moved through the region this week, bringing widespread rain to all and snow to some. 7-day precipitation totals ranged from around half an inch in far western Illinois to over 3 inches in southern Illinois. The persistently wet pattern in the southern half of the state since late December has gone a long way to improve drought conditions. In response to this latest round of rain, the US Drought Monitor removed all extreme drought and most severe drought in southern Illinois. Although some parts of northern and central Illinois picked up snow this week, totals were mostly less than 1 inch. Much like in each of the last two seasons, this winter has been slow to bring substantial snow into Illinois. All areas north of Interstate 64 are 2 to 8 inches below normal on season-to-date snowfall, but it’s always worth mentioning that February is our climatologically snowiest month. So, snow lovers may still get to enjoy winter yet.
Looking ahead, we continue to see milder temperatures across the state, albeit a bit closer to normal for early January. While most of the state will see measurable precipitation this week, some of which falling as measurable snowfall this weekend, totals are modest – ranging from around a quarter to three quarters of an inch. Farther out, models are painting warmer and wetter weather into the middle of January, so it looks like we’ll need to wait a bit longer for our next big cold outbreak.