State climatologist warns of cold winter

Posted on December 30, 2017
Snow cold
Illinois is experiencing its coldest stretch in three years. (Photo courtesy Pixabay)

By RFD Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is getting blasted right now with frigid temperatures, and the outlook is for winter to remain on the cold side.

State Climatologist Jim Angel said that a weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean, La Nina, is going to influence how many layers you’re going to be wearing.

“For January, climate conditions are favorable for colder than normal temperatures across Illinois and the Great Lakes region,” Angel said. “Meanwhile, there are no indications that January will be either wetter or drier than normal in Illinois. However the Ohio River valley is expected to be wetter than normal in January, and that could spill into far southeastern Illinois.”

The current blast of arctic air is about the coldest stretch most of the state has seen since early 2014.

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