Rain is in the forecast for the area this weekend, which is good news, as the area is under increasingly dry conditions. The latest drought monitor from the National Weather Service was released this past Thursday. It shows parts of Wayne, Edwards, Jefferson and Wabash counties under a Severe Drought. All of Marion, Clay, Richland and Lawrence counties are also under a Severe Drought, along with several counties to the north of that area. Southern Wayne County and areas to the south are under a Moderate Drought. Moderate drought conditions are also noted in western Illinois, with Abnormally Dry conditions in the central part of the state and far-southern Illinois.
The latest forecast is indicating some decent rain chances starting later today and running through late tonight, with a small chance of rain lingering into Sunday morning. Temperatures should cool down a bit early next week, then warm up to highs in the upper 40s to near 50 degrees.
The dry conditions have kept area rivers on the low side. Here are the latest stages as of this morning: Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 3.49 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. At Clay City the stage is 3.79 feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. At Carmi the stage is 3.08 feet. Flood stage is 27 feet. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City reads 4.96 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel is at 2.54 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet.
Long range forecasts, which now extend past the Christmas holiday, continue to show temperatures expected to remain above normal, with the possibility of some wetter conditions in the 8 to 14 day outlook, which runs December 22nd through the 28th.