Temperatures are in the single digits in the southern Illinois region this morning for a second day in a row, however today should be the last day of the really cold conditions for at least a few days, as a warmup is expected this week, along with several chances for rain.
The National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky says high temperatures should warm into the lower 50s by the middle of this week, with temperatures staying above freezing day and night by Tuesday. Some areas to our southwest have the risk of some freezing rain developing late tonight and early Monday as rain moves in with temperatures near freezing. The higher risk is in southwestern Illinois and southeast Missouri.
Forecasters say the area could pick up an inch to an inch and a half of rainfall this week, which should help with remaining drought conditions. Area rivers remain below flood stage, and have dropped a bit from Saturday’s levels. As of this morning the Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 8.09 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. At Clay City the stage is 5.36 feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. At Carmi the river is at 7.21 feet, below its 27 foot flood stage. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 5.37 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel stands at 5.88 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet. Bonpas Creek at Browns is at 1.78 feet.