In this presentation, WCIA 3 meteorologist Jacob Dickey shares a 2026 weather outlook focused on Illinois and the Corn Belt. He explains how recent precipitation extremes, ongoing drought conditions, and the transition from La Nina toward ENSO neutral conditions may influence weather patterns during the upcoming year.

Jacob also outlines expectations for spring and summer weather, including temperature trends, rainfall potential, freeze risk, and severe weather timing. He explains how large-scale climate drivers such as ENSO and the Madden Julian Oscillation can affect both regional and global weather patterns and what that may mean for crop production.

Topics covered include current drought status and possible improvement, spring temperature and precipitation expectations, summer dryness and heat risk, disease potential, and how weather trends in major global production regions could influence corn and soybean outcomes.