Could a Wet Spring Start in January in Illinois?

BY JEFF BROWN, FARM WEEK NOW

With frigid conditions continuing in Illinois and winter precipitation blanketing the U.S. as far south as Houston, holding out hope for an early spring could be difficult.

But an Illinois meteorologist says an upcoming stretch of milder temperatures will allow the state to shake off its cold, white blanket and soak up some liquid precipitation for a change.  

Eric Schmidt, with EJS Weather in Newton, told the RFD Radio Network^® the current snow cover will mostly be gone by this weekend, ushering in a period when some parts of the state could see the thermometer hit 50 degrees.

“From Thursday and especially by the weekend, we will definitely see much milder air come into the area, with highs in the 50s in a lot of parts of the state Saturday and Sunday,” Schmidt said.

“I’d say above-average temperatures for a lot of next week,” he added.

Schmidt predicted rainfall chances this weekend and again late next week.

Showers would be welcomed, particularly in the central and western parts of the state, where soil-moisture levels have deteriorated over the past few months.

“On Sunday, when we get our next frontal system, it does look like a pretty good chance for rain. Southern Illinois, if we can get warm enough, may even see a few rumbles of thunder here and there, believe it or not,” said Schmidt, adding that as much as an inch of rainfall could be possible in certain areas.

Another wet system, accompanied by continued warmer temperatures could produce more rainfall late next week. The state has a good chance at remaining on the wet side through early February, Schmidt said.