A batch of showers and thunderstorms rolled through southern Illinois early this morning, the first thunderstorms of the new year, dropping rainfall in the area around 2 a.m. today. No storm warnings or watches were in effect at the time.
The rainfall has exited the area, and should give way to cloudy conditions for today, with a gradual cooldown in temperatures. Highs generally in the 40s and low 50s are expected the next few days, along with a chance of rain Tuesday, which could mix with some snow Tuesday morning before temperatures warm up by afternoon, No impacts are currently expected.
Prior to this morning’s rainfall, the latest Drought Monitor from the National Weather Service showed the northwest half of Wayne County still considered in “Abnormally Dry” conditions for the map released this past Thursday.
Rivers remain within their flood stage, including the Little Wabash River. East of Fairfield it is at 15.09 feet. At Clay City the stage is 6.5 feet. At Carmi the reading is 15.5 feet. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 5.52 feet, and the Wabash River at Mt. Carmel reads 10.5 feet.