Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky have issued a Frost Advisory for the southern Illinois area for tonight and into Sunday morning. Low temperatures are expected to drop into the lower 30s with clear skies and calm winds. The advisory runs from 9 p.m. tonight until 8 a.m. Sunday.
The next week is expected to be dry with temperatures fairly close to normal. A gradual warmup is expected. Longer range forecasts show above normal temperatures continuing for the rest of October and into the first days of November, according to the 3 to 4 week outlook, running through November 13th. Precipitation should be below normal through the period, although it could trend closer to average in the 3 to 4 week outlook.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday shows drought conditions expanding in Illinois. Southern Illinois is now shown in a Moderate Drought, which includes Wayne County and areas to the west and southwest. The rest of southern Illinois is in Abormally Dry conditions.
Area rivers remain on the low side, including the Little Wabash River east of Fairfield. As of this morning the stage is 5.49 feet.