For a change, several chances for rainfall are in the forecast for the southern Illinois region this weekend and into next week. The area has been quite dry the past several weeks, and according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map from this past Thursday, the entire state of Illinois is now in some type of dry or drought condition. Wayne County, as well as all of the state from a line extending from roughly Effingham to St. Louis and points south are in Moderate Drought conditions. Areas near St.Louis and the far-southern tip of the state are in Severe Drought conditions. Norheastern and west-central Illinois are also in Moderate Drought conditions, while the rest of the state is Abnormally Dry.
The extended forecasts for the period through October 4th still show above normal temperatures expected, with a chance of near to above normal precipitation. Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky, says Moderate Drought conditions cover about 55 percent of their forecast area, which includes Wayne County and southeastern Illinois, with Severe Drought conditions covering a good part of western Kentucky. Rainfall expected this weekend and early next week could add up around three-quarters of an inch to an inch and a half of rainfall in our area, with waves of showers and thunderstorms expected through Monday. Lesser amounts are expected farther south. Drier and cooler weather is expected by the middle of next week.
Area rivers remain on the low side as a result of the lack of rain. The Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 4.24 feet as of this morning. Flood stage is 17 feet. At Clay City the stage is 4.61 feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. At Carmi the river is at 3.14 feet. Flood stage is 27 feet. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 4.97 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel is at 2.4 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet. Bonpas Creek at Browns is at 1.12 feet.
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