Mild weather continues this weekend, however conditions are expected to turn quite a bit colder by the beginning of next week, according to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky.
Temperatures in the 60s are expected through Sunday afternoon, then a cold front is expected to move through the area, bringing a nearly 40 degree temperature drop by late Sunday night. A few snow showers are possible as the precipitation comes to an end. Most of next week leading up to New Year’s Day is expected to be dry but colder.
In fact, temperatures the past few days have been so warm, it resulted in the city of Marion, Illinois cancelling its Ice at Tower Square Skating for this weekend. Officials said temperatures above 70 degrees made it impossible to maintain ice that was safe for the rink and skaters. The event is scheduled to resume in January.
The extended forecasts are indicating above normal precipitation expected for the 6 to 10 day and 8 to 14 day outlooks, running through January 9th. Near normal temperatures are expected in the 6 to 10 day outlook. The one-month outlook, released Friday, indicated above normal temperatures favored through January 23rd, along with equal chances for precipitation to be above or below normal.
As far as area rivers this morning, the Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 4.98 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. The stage at Clay City is 4.77 feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. At Carmi the river is at 3.82 feet. Flood stage is 27 feet. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 5.08 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel is at 4.21 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet. Bonpas Creek at Browns is at 1.69 feet.