The southeastern Illinois region still has the chance for some strong to severe thunderstorm activity, especially into Tuesday night, according to the latest thinking from forecasters at the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky.
Prior to Tuesday night, a warm day is expected Monday with high temperatures into the lower 70s. A windy day is expected Tuesday and Tuesday night prior to a cold front moving through, bringing the possible storm threat. Heavy rain is also a possibility, with around an inch of rainfall a possibility. The rain could even end as a brief rain/snow mix early Wednesday morning, but forecasters aren’t worried about any impacts at this time. Colder weather is expected midweek before another warmup by the end of the coming week.
The extended forecasts indicate the warming trend should continue, with well above normal temperatures and precipitation expected according to the 6-10 day and 8-14 day outlooks, which run through March 9th.
Currently, area rivers are well below their flood stages. As of this morning the Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 6.96 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. At Clay City the stage is 5.79 feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. The river is at 5.67 feet at Carmi, below the 27-foot flood stage. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 5.63 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel is at 5.21 feet, below its 19-foot flood stage. Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 2.51 feet.