The National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky has issued a Freeze Watch for Wayne and surrounding counties for early Sunday morning. Forecasters say temperatures could fall to near 30 late tonight, which could kill sensitive plants and vegetation.
Small chances for rain are in the forecast for today and tonight. Although the area has received rainfall this week, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map, released Thursday, shows Wayne County and areas to the north in Illinois still in Moderate Drought conditions. Central Illinois is in Severe and Extreme Drought conditions.
The extended forecasts indicate above normal temperatures for both the 6 to 10 day and 8 to 14 day outlooks, running through November 14th. The 8 to 14 day outlook does favor below normal precipitation. The 30-day outlook for November was released Friday. It favors above normal temperatures, and equal chances for precipitation to be above or below normal.
For those interested in the area river stages, as of this morning, the Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 4.73 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. At Clay City the reading is 4.42 feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. At Carmi the river is at 4.41 feet, below the 27-foot flood stage. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 5.04 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel is at 2.79 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet. Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 1.99 feet.