More typical early July weather is expected for the southern Illinois region this holiday weekend. Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky say the region has daily chances for shower and thunderstorm development through the end of next week. High temperatures should be closer to normal, in the upper 80s to near 90. Although it will remain humid, conditions are not expected to be as hot as earlier this week, which prompted the issuance of an Extreme Heat Warning, which has since expired.
Storms that developed in the area Friday afternoon did prompt severe thunderstorm warnings for a time in parts of Wayne and Clay counties, and a Flood Warning for a part of Clay County as heavy rain developed in the area.
Extended forecasts for most of July are showing above normal temperatures expected, with near to a little above normal precipitation. The recent rainfall has erased the drought conditions in Illinois. For the first time in a while, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map is showing no drought conditions anywhere in the state.
As far as area rivers this morning, the Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 25.75 feet, above the 17-foot flood stage. At Clay City the river is at 13.37 feet, below the 18-foot flood stage. At Carmi the stage is 20.62 feet. Flood stage is 27 feet. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 5.29 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel is at 12.74 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet. Bonpas Creek at Browns is at 8.97 feet. Further south at Old Shawneetown the Ohio River is at 20.92 feet.