Back on October 18, NOAA released their winter forecast. There was nothing too exciting for Illinois. Illinois has equal chances of above, below, and near-normal temperatures. The same is true for precipitation, except along the westward edge of Illinois which has a slightly increased risk of below-normal precipitation. See maps below.
If you look at the past dozen years in Illinois, winter-time temperatures have been consistent at being inconsistent (see graph). We have had some really mild winters in 2001-2002 and this last winter. On the other hand, we have had harsh winters including the three before this last winter.
Just to give you an idea of what is “normal” or average about Illinois, here is the link to the monthly and seasonal precipitation, temperature, and snowfall across Illinois.
Bad News for August in Illinois
The NOAA Climate Prediction Center has updated their forecast for August. It’s not good news for Illinois with an increased risk of above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation.
Higher Risk of Hot, Dry Conditions for August and Fall
The Climate Prediction Center delivered more bad news for Illinois today. Their outlook for August includes an increased chance of above-normal temperatures across Illinois and much of the U.S. It includes an increased chance of below-normal precipitation for all of Illinois and much of the Midwest.
Their outlook for the 3-month period for August-October includes an increased chance of above-normal temperatures for Illinois and much of the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. and below-normal precipitation for Illinois and much of the Midwest.
Latest Seasonal Outlook
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released their June and June-August outlook yesterday (figure below). On the left hand side of the figure, they have far southern Illinois with an increased chance of above normal temperatures for June. For June-August, that area of increased chances expands and covers an area roughly south of I-70. The rest of the state has “EC” or equal chances of above, below, or near-normal temperatures. In other words, they don’t see anything to push temperatures one way or another.
It’s the same story with precipitation – equal chances of above, below, or near-normal precipitation across the state for June and June-August. I think its fair to say that our current skill is pretty low in forecasting summer-time precipitation months in advance.
