by Trent Ford, State Climatologist
ISWS PRI University of Illinois
We had a major swing in our weather this week, from warm and dry to hot and stormy. Average temperatures over the past 7 days ranged from the high 60s in northern Illinois to the high 70s in southern Illinois, between 3 and 10 degrees above average. However, the humidity was the noteworthy change this week, with dewpoints regularly reaching into the 60s and 70s,…
The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending June 05, 2026. WILLAg.org is a partnership of Illinois Public Media and University of Illinois Extension. Its mission is to distribute regionally, nationally, and internationally information and analysis of commodity markets and agricultural weather.
Agricultural Markets Synthesis
The agricultural grain markets experienced a severe downturn, characterized by corn and soybeans breaking through critical moving averages due to persistent fund liquidations,…
We wrapped up spring and started meteorological summer with some lovely, if a bit drier, weather. Average temperatures this week ranged from the low 60s in northern Illinois to the mid-70s in southern Illinois, between 1 and 4 degrees above average. Low humidity allowed daytime temperatures to regularly reach into the upper 80s, while nighttime temperatures cooled well into the 50s. Some of the more impressive nighttime lows this week included 44 in Waukegan and 45 in Normal.…
The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending May 29, 2026. WILLAg.org is a partnership of Illinois Public Media and University of Illinois Extension. Its mission is to distribute regionally, nationally, and internationally information and analysis of commodity markets and agricultural weather.
Agricultural Markets Synthesis
Throughout the week, the agricultural commodity markets faced volatility driven by geopolitical developments, fluctuating energy prices, and domestic planting progress. Analysts Naomi Blohm,…
The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending May 22, 2026. WILLAg.org is a partnership of Illinois Public Media and University of Illinois Extension. Its mission is to distribute regionally, nationally, and internationally information and analysis of commodity markets and agricultural weather.
Agricultural Markets Synthesis
The agricultural markets experienced a volatile week marked by risk-on and risk-off trading, heavily influenced by geopolitical news and macroeconomic factors. Curt Kimmel (AgMarket.net) ,…
We had milder weather as we turned the corner in May. Average temperatures this week ranged from the low 60s in northern Illinois to the low 70s in southern Illinois, between 2 and 4 degrees above normal. Despite a bit more warmth this week, low humidity allowed nighttime temperatures to regularly drop into the 40s, including lows of 38 degrees in Decatur and 39 in Barrington. May temperatures to date have been 1 to 3 degrees below average statewide.…
by Trent Ford, State Climatologist
ISWS PRI University of Illinois
Spring weather extended yet another week with average temperatures from the low 50s in northern Illinois to low 60s in southern Illinois, between 3 and 8 degrees below normal. While most places stayed above freezing overnight this week, we did wake up to temperatures in the 30s and heavy frost, including lows of 33 degrees in Dixon and in Rockford. The cooler start to May is quite a contrast to what ended up being the warmest April on record statewide last month.…
The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org radio broadcast content from the work week ending May 8, 2026.
Agricultural Markets Weekly Synthesis
Throughout the week, agricultural markets experienced significant volatility driven by fluctuating crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and the anticipation of upcoming governmental reports and international summits. Early in the week, Curt Kimmel reported that commodity funds aggressively bought contracts, pushing soybeans higher due to a risk premium returning to crude oil amidst Middle East tensions.…
by Trent Ford, State Climatologist
ISWS PRI University of Illinois
Average temperatures in this first full week of May were actually a little cool, ranging from the high 40s in northern Illinois to the mid-50s in southern Illinois, between 3 and 8 degrees below normal. This followed an April that was a top five warmest on record statewide and felt like a bit of a bait and switch after a taste of summer-like weather last month.…
The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending May 1, 2026.
Global Tensions, Speculative Buying, and Weather Concerns Drive Ag Markets
The agricultural commodity markets were heavily influenced by geopolitical tensions, speculative fund buying, and domestic weather concerns. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its impact on energy prices and fertilizer availability provided underlying support for feed grains. Crude oil prices climbing over $100 a barrel made ethanol more attractive,…