A Crazy Meteorological Spring

March of 2012 was the warmest March on record in Peoria. We set five new record highs, six record warm lows, the warmest low on record for the month of March, and the most days of 80°+ temperatures ever seen in the month of March. In all, the average temperature for the month of 55.4° was 14.8­° above normal. April 2012 didn't see the same record breaking heat. Consequently, the average temperature in March was higher than that of April (54.6°). The last time this happened was in 1907. Normally, the average temperature in April is 12° warmer than that of March! Believe it or not, the reason for this was not below average temperatures in April. April's average temperature still ended up 2.3° above normal.

For the first week of May, temperatures look to be above normal. Average highs for this time of year are in the upper 60s and low 70s. After a day in the mid 70s today, highs will reach the low to mid 80s through Saturday.

An unsettled upper level weather pattern will keep rain chances around into the weekend as well. Daytime sunshine will roll in on Wednesday and Thursday, but that could mean strong to severe storms both nights. Warm temperatures and southerly winds will help boost moisture and instability during the afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center has the northern half of our viewing area under a slight risk of severe weather Wednesday and Thursday, with large hail and damaging winds being the primary threat.