Illinois has higher odds of being both warmer and drier than average though June, according to the newly released NWS Climate Prediction Center outlooks.
The main driver of the forecast continues to be the strong El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean. El Niño is expected to go away by late spring or early summer. The increased odds of drier conditions through June could be a concern. However, I am more confident in the temperature forecasts from CPC than I am of the precipitation forecasts.
January:
(click on any map to make it bigger)
Illinois has higher odds of being both warmer and drier than average.
January – March:
Illinois has higher odds of being both warmer and drier than average.
April – June:
Illinois has higher odds of being both warmer and drier than average.
July – September:
Illinois has higher odds of being warmer than average, nothing to report on precipitation.
