After a cool start to the weekend, a warmup is expected to begin next week, according to forecasters at the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky. They say rain chances should move back into the southern Illinois region by Wednesday. Longer range forecasts indicate a more active weather pattern setting up by later next week, with several rain and thunderstorm chances. Currently, forecasters say there aren’t any big chances for severe weather in the area.
The six to ten day, 8 to 14 day and the three to four week outlooks, running through April 24th, are all indicating above normal temperatures favored for the area, along with above normal precipitation.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map, released Thursday, shows Wayne County and southeastern Illinois only in “Abnormally Dry” conditions. The drought conditions are now reported in the central part of the state.