By RFD Radio

SPRINGFIELD – Are you dreaming of a white Christmas already?

Now that weather conditions have returned to what he calls “mostly normal,” State Climatologist Jim Angel with the Illinois Water Survey thinks chances are fair some parts of Illinois could be blanketed in white at this time next month.

“This year we probably have a fair chance of that,” Angel said. “I think we’ve got weather conditions reverting back to closer-to-normal temperatures and precipitation.”

Angel noted Central Illinois has typically a 50-50 chance of snow at Christmas, based on historical records, while the likelihood increases as you travel north.

December begins on Thursday.

Some parts of Illinois have had little to no precipitation at all this fall. Angel said the National Drought Index shows some parts of Illinois have been classified as abnormally dry, with parts of southern Illinois actually creeping into the moderate drought stage.

“There are some spots that are a little on the dry side especially the further south you go,” Angel said. “Far southern Illinois has essentially not had any rain since October.”

Angel added parts of southern Illinois that experienced some of the wettest months of July and August on record have experienced some of the driest months of October and November.