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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Jun 30

Average nighttime low temperatures last week were top 5 highest on record across the Midwest, 5 - 10 degrees warmer than average.

The Southeast RCC's tool shows Chicago's temperatures last week were similar to normal temperatures in Orlando.

sercc.oasis.unc.edu/Map.php?regi...

A map that shows 7-day average nighttime low temperature rankings across the Midwest United States. The map comes from the Southeast Regional Climate Center at https://sercc.oasis.unc.edu/.

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Jun 17

CoCoRaHS observers are especially critical in summer when rainfall varies a lot.
Yesterday, we had 0.21" at our Water Survey station, Willard Airport got a big goose egg, and some parts of Champaign picked up >2".

Consider joining CoCoRaHS to help fill in those gaps across Illinois: cocorahs.org

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Reposted by Illinois State Climatologist

WARM Program at UIUC @warm-isws.bsky.social · Jun 9

You find the most interesting things at monitoring stations. Thankfully it was fake. @prairieresearch.bsky.social

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Reposted by Illinois State Climatologist

WARM Program at UIUC @warm-isws.bsky.social · May 15

We have hit 101° for heat index at ICN Champaign at 1:20PM with air temp = 90° and RH = 63%. #ilwx

a man in a suit and tie is sitting in front of a window and saying nope . don 't like that .

ALT: a man in a suit and tie is sitting in front of a window and saying nope . don 't like that .

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Illinois State Climatologist

NOAA Climate.gov @climate.noaa.gov · May 14

Next week, the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (#NIHHIS) is hosting a Heat Safety Week to provide information about #heat risks and ways to stay safe this summer.

Follow along with #HeatSafety. Visit Heat.gov for more information about heat.

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · May 14

#CoCoRaHS is an invaluable part of weather monitoring in the US all year long, and especially so when we have small-scale convective events that produce huge differences in rainfall over small scales.
See the 3" rainfall gradient across Bloomington-Normal yesterday. #ilwx

cocorahs.org

Map of CoCoRaHS precipitation measurements from May 13th in Bloomington-Normal

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Reposted by Illinois State Climatologist

NPR @npr.org · May 6

Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.

Most Americans use federal science information on a weekly basis, a new poll finds

Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.

www.npr.org

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Apr 8

The implications of warming winters in the Great Lakes region (like changes in lake stratification) are often under-reported relative to weather extremes like flooding and heat. But, they are nonetheless impactful.

Katie O'Reilly @drkatfish.bsky.social · Apr 7

During summer and winter, waters of the #GreatLakes typically separate into distinct temperature layers - a process called stratification. However, new research finds Lakes Michigan and Huron aren't consistently stratifying during winter anymore due to climate change www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...

In winter, the waters of Lakes Michigan and Huron separate into layers. Not anymore. Why?

Winters in particular are entering a new era in the world's largest surface freshwater system.

www.jsonline.com

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Apr 7

Historic rainfall across the Ohio River Basin (watershed average of 5.13" in the last 7 days) has caused widespread flooding along the River and its tributaries.

The Ohio River at Old Shawneetown, IL is expected to crest over 53', the 6th highest crest on record and the highest since May 2011.

Current and forecasted stage of the Ohio River at Old Shawneetown, Illinois.

Map of 7-day total precipitation as of Sunday, April 6 across the Ohio River Basin.

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Apr 2

This is a particularly dangerous situation for this region. Everyone in this area should take action now (e.g., charge your phones, make sure sump pump is working, have fresh batteries, etc.), and monitor forecasts and stay weather aware today through Saturday.

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Apr 2

Key messages from @nws.noaa.gov Paducah office:
-> a very dangerous weather pattern today and this weekend
-> High risk of severe weather on Wednesday
-> Potentially catastrophic flooding... entire region is expected to get at least 7 - 10" thru Saturday
www.weather.gov/media/pah/Ds...

Maps of severe weather risk on Wednesday, April 2nd across the southern Midwest, courtesy of the National Weather Service Paducah office.

Maps of forecasted rainfall amounts between Wednesday and Saturday across the southern Midwest, courtesy of the National Weather Service Paducah office.

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Reposted by Illinois State Climatologist

Matt Lanza @mattlanza.bsky.social · Apr 1

NWS in Paducah dropped a “catastrophic” this afternoon regarding the upcoming Ohio valley flooding potential. So that’s great.

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Mar 31

More severe weather and likely widespread flooding in southern Illinois are highlighted in this morning's briefing from @nws.noaa.gov Paducah.
www.weather.gov/media/pah/Ds...

It is VERY important to stay weather aware this week across Illinois!

www.weather.gov

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Mar 27

Spring has been kind of sneaky warm so far in the Midwest. March-to-date average daily high temperatures have been in the top 10 on record in many places, including 4th warmest in St. Louis.

Shout out to Southeast Regional Climate Center:
sercc.oasis.unc.edu/Map.php?regi...

Map of March-to-date daily maximum temperature rankings across the Midwest US.

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Mar 18

While we commemorate this disaster, we should also praise the advances in weather prediction, communication, planning, and warning that have saved countless lives in the last 100 years.

These are made possible by publicly funded science and the dedication of NOAA and the National Weather Service.

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Mar 18

The tri-state tornado, the US's deadliest tornado, occurred 100 years ago today. Over 700 deaths, including 234 lives lost in Murphysboro, Illinois. The tornado had an estimated 219 mile-long path through three states.

Check out @nws.noaa.gov Paducah's great page: www.weather.gov/pah/1925torn...

Photo of tri-state tornado damage to Longfellow School in Murphysboro, Illinois. Credit: Jackson County Historical Society

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Mar 5

The precipitation across central and northern Illinois the last 2 days was much welcome to help recharge very dry soils.

The water table at @warm-isws.bsky.social site in Peoria is about 10 feet deep. That means we have to dig down 10 feet to hit saturated soil, compared to 3-4 feet normally.

Water table levels on March 1st measured at the WARM network's Peoria site (ICC). The blue area indicates the depth of the saturated zone below the surface.

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Mar 4

Fortunately, we have a dream team to meet these challenges, including @cristiproist.bsky.social, @latinwx.bsky.social, and partners with @readyillinois.bsky.social, @prairieresearch.bsky.social, @climasuiuc.bsky.social, and NCSA.

Next: on to southern Illinois for more feedback and discussion. 3/3

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Mar 4

The precarious status of federal climate, hazard, and vulnerability information resources reinforces the need for this work in Illinois, which was reflected in the group's discussion.

EMs, planners, and decision makers need clear, high fidelity local information on actionable timescales. 2/3

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Mar 4

Workshop #2 on climate and hazard information needs of emergency managers and planners - this time in central Illinois. Great insights from participants that will help us continue to build a climate information system for Illinois.

Thanks @illinoisstate.bsky.social for hosting us!

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Photo of presentation at the workshop on future climate information in central Illinois on March 4th.

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Mar 2

2025 so far has been very dry in east-central Illinois. Champaign-Urbana has had only 1.37" of precipitation since the start of the year, which is the driest first two calendar months there since 1920. #ilwx

Total precipitation from in January and February each year between 1889 and 2025 in Champaign, Illinois.

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Feb 12

Snow has been a rarity so far this season in Chicago.
As of this morning (and ahead of the potential for significant snowfall) the city has only had 10.1" of snow this season, which is 9th lowest on record through February 12, and the lowest since 1931. #ilwx

WBEZ @wbez.org · Feb 12

Snow is expected to fall about 1 inch an hour from noon to 5 p.m. right on top of the evening commute, according the National Weather Service. Four to 6 inches is predicted in the Chicago area. www.wbez.org/weather/2025...

Chicago weather: When will snow begin? How long will it last? How much will fall?

Snow is expected to fall about 1 inch an hour from noon to 5 p.m. right on top of the evening commute, according the National Weather Service. Four to 6 inches is predicted in the Chicago area.

www.wbez.org

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Reposted by Illinois State Climatologist

World Meteorological Organization @wmo-global.bsky.social · Feb 11

Women and girls belong in science, and their inclusion fosters innovation.

In 2025, we join the United Nations to celebrate 10 years of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science—a key milestone in advancing gender equality and empowering women globally.

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Jan 30

A warm up following prolonged cold - as expected this weekend - increases the risk of ice jams on Illinois streams, and the Kankakee River is particularly vulnerable to jams and flooding.
@nws.noaa.gov flood advisory: forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatx...

www.fox32chicago.com/news/nuclear...

Nuclear power plant to help reduce flooding, ice jam risk along Kankakee River

A nuclear power plant is helping to reduce the chance of flooding along the Kankakee River.

www.fox32chicago.com

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Illinois State Climatologist @ilclimatologist.bsky.social · Jan 17

The first half of January has been colder than normal. But, average temperatures so far this year are only among the 40th-50th coldest on the records of most long-term Midwest weather stations, including only the 53rd coldest in Chicago.
Maybe some recency bias from the last few mild winters? #ilwx

Map of January to-date average temperature rankings across the Midwest. Souce: https://sercc.oasis.unc.edu/Map.php?region=mrcc

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