Nov 15 | Climate Review and Weather Forecast

Our mild fall weather continued this week. Average temperatures ranged from the high 40s in northern Illinois to the high 50s in southern Illinois, between 3 and 7 degrees above normal. November to date has been 5 to 10 degrees warmer than normal, following a top 5 warmest October on record statewide.

Most of the state picked up a decent amount of rain this week with totals between a quarter of an inch in western Illinois to nearly 1.5 inches in southeast Illinois. Most of Illinois has already received their normal total November precipitation this month, and some areas are approaching record wetness for November. For example, this month is already the second wettest November on record in Edwardsville with over 9 inches, which follows a top 5 driest October on record in Edwardsville. The wet start to the month has drastically improved drought conditions statewide. The US Drought Monitor significantly reduced the extent of moderate and severe drought in Illinois this week, in response to wetter soils and improved stream and lake levels.

Looking ahead, mild weather will persist through the middle of next week, and then the bottom falls out. High temperatures late next week will struggle to make it into the mid-40s, with lows in the upper 20s and low 30s. A strong system will make its way through the Midwest late next week into next weekend and will bring precipitation across much of the state. Those of you who are plugged in to weather forecasts may see hints of snow late next week, but there is still too much uncertainty to say anything about the white stuff for now. That said, whether Illinois gets any snow or not, next week will be our first real taste of winter since late February. Beyond next week, the outlook for the last full week of the month shows best chances for colder and drier than normal weather. So enjoy mild weather this weekend.