Jan 24 | Climate Review and Weather Forecast
Another very cold week in the books. Average temperatures this week ranged from the low teens in northern Illinois to the mid-20s in southern Illinois, between 5 and 10 degrees below normal. January to date has been 4 to 8 degrees below normal. Some of the more impressive nighttime low temperatures this week included -16 degrees in Stockton and -13 in Galesburg. This week, temperatures in Peoria were below freezing for 127 consecutive hours, or about 75% of the entire week.
While a once in a century type of winter storm moved through the Gulf Coast this week, we were mostly treated to cold and dry air in Illinois, which kept precipitation to a minimum. Totals this week ranged from less than a tenth of an inch in western Illinois to just over half an inch in southern Illinois. Most of the precipitation came in snow form, but with only a few instances of dustings to very small accumulations. There remains a north-south split in snowfall so far this season. Most areas north of Interstate 72 have had 2 to 15 inches below normal snowfall to date, while the southern half of the state has been 1 to 10 inches above normal on season to date snowfall. The snowiest places in the state so far this season are Fairfield, Jerseyville, and Olney. In fact, Effingham has had twice as much snowfall this season than Rockford, and Pensacola Florida has had more snowfall than Chicago.
Looking ahead, we finally get a break from the cold air. Temperatures will increase this weekend with highs in the upper 30s to 40s, and most of the state will see temperatures next week in the 40s to 50s. The milder air is expected to stick around for at least the rest of this month and maybe the first few days of February. Meanwhile, we’re expected to stay mostly dry again this week, with totals less than a quarter of an inch statewide. Week 2 outlooks paint a wetter picture for the first week of February. So, for now, enjoy the warmer and drier weather before winter inevitably returns in mid-February.