Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky are keeping an eye on two storm systems expected to affect the area this week, one of which could be quite wet and another one which could be wintry.
The first system is expected to move in late Monday night and continue through Tuesday. Mainly rain is expected, although a brief mix with or changeover to some snow is possible before the precipitation ends later Tuesday night. Around an inch to an inch and a half of rainfall is possible with the system. Significant snowfall accumulations are expected to stay to the northwest of the Fairfield area.
Dry conditions are expected for the middle of the week, then another storm system is expected to move in around Friday. Forecasters say it could bring wintry weather to the area, although details are not yet known, as the system is still five to six days out. Colder temperatures are expected with the Friday system, and colder weather is expected by next weekend, with high temperatures in the upper 20s a possibility by next Saturday.
The precipitation this week should help with drought conditions in the area. Wayne County was under Severe Drought conditions, along with a good part of south-central Illinois as of this past Thursday. Area river stages as of this morning are as follows: Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 4.84 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. At Clay City the stage is 4.19 feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. At Carmi the stage is 3.72 feet. Flood stage is 27 feet. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 5.21 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel stands at 3.16 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet. Bonpas Creek at Browns is at 1.45 feet.