McLean County, central IL – last three nights in the upper 40’s, within a couple of degrees of the record low set in 1927. 3 days from now we will have heat index of 100+ and 2 nights that don’t get below 70. After that, bring on that early Fall!

In Central Illinois, 50 miles south of I-80, we had frost and 29 degrees last night.

Report from Central IL for Feb 27-28. At 3:30 PM on 2.27 the temp was 76 degrees, record-setting for this area. At 3:30 AM on 2.28 my backyard weather station read 16 degrees and a wind chill of -1. I am 71 years old and this is by far the biggest 12 hour temp drop I ever remember.

Henry mentioned the temp dropping 20-30 degrees on the 27-28th. In Central IL we are supposed to reach 71* (this may set a record high) on the 27th with a low that night of 23* and a low on the 28th of 17*. That’s a drop of 54* . Early Spring in March in Illinois – I love it.
The robins and Starlings returned Feb 10th this year, way too early,…Read More

McLean County, Central Illinois, we had a fast but potent storm overnight. Thunder, lightning, heavy downpour for about 10 minutes, and enough marble-sized hail to cover the ground, all at 3: 50 am!

If weather prediction was easy, we wouldn’t need or appreciate Henry and those like him that watch the models and indices, but ultimately use their experience and knowledge to do the best they can to help us be ready for what comes. Thank you, Henry and keep standing your ground.

“Please sir, can I have some more?” I think for central IL for this winter, the answer is NO!
I am trying not to be disappointed, but hope is dwindling with every extended forecast.

Henry, in your choice between happy about the weather or not happy and shoveling the weather: get that snow blower out and SMILE as as you use it!

Henry, thanks for explaining about looking for a coastal trough, and congrats on being right. I also agree with the cold air having dug in and becoming a battle ground with the cooler ‘thaw’ air, not giving way too easily. Here in Central IL, I expect a slight warmup, but nothing balmy like people are talking about.

Update from McLean County, Central IL. We woke up to -15 F with – 35 F windchill. Sadly, the bulk of the snow went north, but the ground is covered and lovely in the brilliant morning sun. Enjoying every bit of it!

2 ½-3 lovely inches of snow this morning in Central IL. Won’t last, but that’s ok, I am enjoying what comes. This is used to be too little to bother about, now it’s all I can hope for. Perhaps more coming with the parade of storms ahead. Weather-fingers crossed.

Still digesting the information you provided in today’s newsletter about the El Nino. Greatly appreciate you doing the background work and sharing it with everybody.

Central and Northern IL look to stay high and dry, while Southern IL gets the snow this winter.

It seems to me the un-professional but descriptive word we are looking is that we are being SIDE-SWIPED by El Nino this year and nothing more. Perhaps it will take until 24-25 for it to make up its mind?

Henry, you had been talking about a cold March (right target) and then skipping Spring and going right in to Summer in April. Do you still see that? If not, what is happening to change that scenario?

Snow in November (central IL) – YIPEE – bring it on and let it last right through til March. Us snow lovers are hungry for a white winter!

Hi Henry, I would like some help understanding the ‘yellow’ map that shows Geopotential Ht, Cyclonic Vorticity and wind. Can you break those terms down a little so I can more out of this map? Thanks.

I am a little confused. Are you saying we are always either in a La Nina or EL Nino pattern? If not, what are the other options to be ‘in’? By the way, here in Central IL my weather station recorded a low of 49 degrees the night of 6.18-19, and a high of 100 degrees on 6.21. Hope you are correct about rain coming in July, we sure could use…Read More