El Niño & Dust Storms
Matt Reardon explains how El Niño’s quick rise and Illinois’ weather swing from dust storms to downpours are setting up a very different summer ahead.
IL Spring Weather Outlook: Drought Relief, Tornado Season, and an El Niño on the Horizon
An active spring pattern is delivering rain in places, while other areas remain dry, keeping drought risk in mind as summer approaches.
March in the Midwest: Record Storms, a Quiet Stretch Ahead, and What to Watch This Spring
Matt Reardon recaps last week’s historic severe weather, looks ahead to a quieter, warmer pattern, explains the spring predictability barrier, and breaks down current drought and soil moisture conditions.
Risk On or Risk Off?
As La Niña fades and drought lingers, Matt Reardon breaks down what current ocean signals and winter conditions could mean for the Midwest growing season.
The Forecast from the Road
Matt Reardon breaks down how a stalled jet stream deepened Illinois’ drought and why this weekend’s pattern shift could bring long-awaited rain.
Blue Skies, Crunchy Lawns, and a Familiar Forecast
September’s warm, dry stretch is raising fire risks in Illinois fields while Mississippi River levels drop and fall weather shifts take shape—read the full weather update from Matt Reardon.
Fall Arrives Early Across Midwest
Matt Reardon’s latest weather outlook notes that cooler nights bring an early taste of fall, easing heat stress but reducing much-needed rainfall for crops.
Midwest Crops Thrive While the Tropics Stir
From drought-stressed to waterlogged to flourishing, Illinois crops reflect a wide range of conditions as Matt Reardon also looks at Texas floods, an anticipated busy hurricane outlook, and July’s forecast outlook.
Ridge Riding Thunderstorms Stare Down the Midwest
After a spring marked by extreme weather, Matt Reardon shares how potential storms, summer heat, and some meteorological history could shape the forecast in the weeks to come.
A Tale of Two Illinois: Diverging Rainfall Needs as Summer Approaches
With southern Illinois battling wet field conditions and northern Illinois facing increasing dryness, timely weather in the weeks ahead will be critical as farmers work to finish planting and manage rising drought concerns heading into June.
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