The NWS Climate Prediction Center released their latest outlook for October and beyond. It looks like the warm-than-average weather is expected to continue for the next several months. The primary driver in the forecast is the ongoing El Niño in the Pacific Ocean basin.
October
Illinois has an increased chance of above-average temperatures for October. There is not much to report on precipitation in Illinois. We are between drier-than-average conditions to our northeast and wetter-than-average conditions to our southwest.
October-December
Most of Illinois except the far southwest has an increased chance of above-average temperatures in the October-December time frame. There is not much to report on precipitation in Illinois. We are just north of the large area of expected wetter-than-average conditions. By the way, when CPC forecasts mentions “above-average temperatures”, that means only a few degrees above average – not 90 degree weather in November.
December – February (core winter months)
Illinois still has increased chances of above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation for the core winter months.
