Winter Not Letting Go

Flurries Continue

Power storm system that coated the area with snowfall over the past few days is slowly moving eastward, but holding it's grip across the Midwest.  Clouds with a few flurries will hang around for the overnight Thursday.  Chilly temperatures under mostly cloudy skies stay with us for Friday.

Meteorological Winter Ends Thursday

For record keeping purposes, Thursday marks the end of winter.  The months of December, January and February are known as the "winter" months in the meteorological record books.  The actual astrological start to Spring isn't until March 20th.

The 2012-2013 winter has been mild until recently.  Since Dec.1st, 52 days have been above normal.  The warmest stretch came from early December where we started off the month in the 60's and 70's.  After minimal snow for much of the winter, we picked up 8 of our 11 inches of snow fall in just the last week.  Normal snowfall for the winter is around 24"

Temps Stay Chilly

Pattern over the next 8-14 days keeps us colder than average to start the month of March.  Many models have indicated a blocking pattern over the time period that will develop over the North Atlantic, and looks to stay intact through at least the next couple of weeks.  Temperatures are expected to range from 5-10° below  the average high which is now at 43°, and jumps to 50° by March 15th.

Another Snow Chance?

If you are a snow lover, then the last week has been right up your alley.  Pattern looks to remain active as we head into next week.  Several models indicate 2 systems merging just south of central Illinois by Tuesday morning, leaving us in the cold sector and the possibility of accumulating snow.  While not all models are on board for snowfall here, the consensus has been at least a chance for some accumulation by Tuesday.  We'll keep you posted as we get closer.

Flurries Through Friday

We're still dealing with the same low pressure system as we head through our Thursday. Look for pockets of light snowfall to move in from the north all day and into the overnight. Temperatures remain steady in the low to mid 30s.

Overnight lows will drop into the mid to upper 20s. Friday will keep a few flurries around before we dry things out into the weekend. The next couple days will see highs in the upper 20s and low 30s. Sunshine and warming temperatures move in on Sunday. Highs early next week will reach the mid to upper 30s. A clipper system diving in from the northwest early next week will bring our next chance at precipitation. Snow and wintry mix chances will begin late Monday and continue into early Wednesday. Wednesday and Thursday are looking drier as temperatures hit the low to mid 40s by the end of the week. We're tracking another storm system Friday night into Saturday that will bring a chance of wintry mix and rain.

Still Well Below Average Snow This Season

2 snows in the past week have helped with the snow deficit.  We're up to around 7" of snow in Peoria for the month, which is +1 to date for the month.  We're up to 10" for the season, which puts us slightly above where we were this time last year.  With the lack of snow for Nov/Dec/Jan, we've only seen half of what we should at this point.


despite the lack of snowfall this season, we are looking good for TOTAL precip (snow & rain) for the season thanks to several good rains over the past few months. Here's where we stand to date. Thanks to the ground not being frozen solid during many of the rains we received, this should be beneficial for area farmers come spring time.

Winter Storm Moving Through

A low pressure system moving in from the southwest has already spread moderate snowfall across much of the area. Strong winds are limiting visibilities with snowfall rates as high as 2"/hour in the southwest. A WINTER STORM WARNING is in effect west of the Illinois River with a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY for the counties directly east of the river until 6 pm tonight. Snowfall totals will be as high as 5-8" in the warning area and around 3-5" under the advisory. The main band will pull north this morning followed by scattered light snow showers this afternoon. We'll see chances for snow continuing tonight and tomorrow, with temperatures remaining steady around the freezing mark into Wednesday. The system will slowly move east on Thursday with just a few flurries possible into the end of the week. Temperatures will slowly drop back into the upper 20s and low 30s by the weekend. Sunday and Monday are looking sunny before our next storm system brings a chance of wintry mix and snow next Tuesday. Temperatures are expected in the mid 30s for the beginning of next week.

Another Winter Storm Moves In Overnight

Today will start off quiet. Cloud cover will gradually increase with highs in the upper 30s and low 40s this afternoon.

A low pressure system to our southwest will slowly move northeast overnight bringing a chance of snow and freezing rain after midnight.

Most of the area will see moderate to heavy snow on Tuesday morning with breezy winds limiting visibilities. A WINTER STORM WARNING will be in effect from midnight until 6 pm Tuesday for our westernmost counties. A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY will be in effect from the I-55 corridor to the Illinois River for the same time frame.

Snow totals could be as high as 5-8" in the west and northwest, 3-5" in Peoria, and 1-3" in the southeast where more freezing rain and rain are possible tomorrow. Plan on leaving early for your morning commute.

Scattered light snow will stick around Tuesday night. We may even see a few flurries into Wednesday and Thursday. Cooler air will slowly settle in dropping highs to the upper 20s and low 30s by the weekend. Next week will start off sunny, before another storm system brings a chance of snow next Tuesday.

Quiet Weekend; Winter Storm Next Week

Quiet Weekend; Winter Storm Next Week

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy but chilly. Overall quiet. Low of 18°.

TOMORROW: Mostly clear w/ sunshine! Below avg. temps. Highs near 30°.

MONDAY: Cloudy. Dry through the day. Chance of rain/sleet/freezing rain/snow after midnight. H-32/ L-29.

TUES-THURS: Mostly cloudy w/ chance of flurries. Highs in low 30s.

Snow Moving Out

The official observation from last night's snow in Peoria is 2.2" at the airport. The heaviest of the totals set up in our southwestern most counties where 3-5" fell during the evening. The main line of snow is moving well to the north, but we'll still see flurries and freezing drizzle chances through the day. Temperatures will be in the low to mid 30s. Conditions will continue to dry overnight, but we'll stay cloudy into Saturday. Lows will start us off around 20 with highs in the upper 20s and low 30s. A warming trend starts on Sunday, helping highs reach the upper 30s and low 40s by Monday. A low pressure system moving through to our south will increase cloud cover early next week and bring a chance of wintry mix Monday night into Tuesday. The exact track of this system is still unclear and that will have a big impact on how much rain vs. snow/ice we see. Behind that system we'll cool things of with northwesterly winds into the end of next week. By Friday, highs will only reach the low 30s.

3-5" of Snow Tonight

A large low pressure system moving in from the southwest today and tomorrow will bring a good chance of accumulating snow to the area. Clouds will increase from the southwest today with highs in the upper 20s this afternoon.

Snow will begin to move northeast during the late afternoon and early evening. The heaviest of the snow fall is expected during the evening and early overnight hours. 3-5" of snow are possible across much of the area, slightly less in the southeast, more expected in the northwest.

Strong winds out of the east will limit visibilities and making driving dangerous.A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY is in effect tonight until noon tomorrow. Plan on staying off the roads late tonight and tomorrow if you can.

As the low pressure center moves north, slightly warmer air will mix in some freezing rain into Friday. The best chance for that will be in the south and southeast. Highs tomorrow will reach the mid 30s.

Saturday will be cooler, before sunshine and southerly winds warm us back into the upper 30s on Sunday. Another storm system will increase cloud cover on Monday. A chance of rain and snow will build in Monday night and stick around into Tuesday. Even though we'll dry things out by Thursday, temperatures will drop towards the end of next week.

Chilly Today, Snowy Tomorrow

Wind chill values are dropping well below zero this morning. Despite sunshine, highs this afternoon will only reach the mid 20s.

Cloud cover will increase overnight with lows in the mid teens. A large low pressure system will move north through the central parts of the country on Thursday. Snow will move in from the southwest by Thursday afternoon, spreading north into Thursday night.

Moderate to heavy snowfall will bring 3-6" of accumulation in areas from Peoria to the northwest. Warmer air in the southeast will mean a better chance of freezing rain and icing Thursday night into Friday. Snow totals in the southeast will likely be about 1-3".

Between the snow totals, ice potential, and breezy winds limiting visibilities, driving will be dangerous. A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for most of the area from Thursday afternoon to Thursday night. Don't plan on going out if you don't have to.

Lingering flurries and freezing drizzle are possible on Friday before we clear things out this weekend. Temperatures are expected in the low to mid 30s through Saturday. Warmer air will begin building in on Sunday as another low pressure system moves in to the area. Because highs will reach the low to mid 40s on Monday, we'll start with a chance of rain Monday afternoon, turning to wintry mix by early Tuesday. Temperatures will cool behind the system for the rest of next week.

Much Cooler Midweek

A few flurries are leftover after last night's storm system. Breezy winds out of the west and northwest will get rid of the snow and bring in chilly air by this afternoon. Winds will gust upwards of 30 mph keeping highs today in the low to mid 20s.

Clearing skies overnight will drop lows into the single digits. Wind chill values will dip well below zero. Despite sunshine, highs tomorrow will only reach the mid 20s on Wednesday. A storm system moving in will increase cloud cover overnight Wednesday into Thursday. We'll build in a good chance of accumulating snow by Thursday afternoon. Right now, it looks like 2-5" inches of snow are possible in the north. A lot can change in the next few days so keep with WMBD 31 for more updates. As the center of low pressure moves north, warmer air will turn the snow into Freezing rain Thursday night into Friday. Friday morning's commute could be very slick. Highs by the end of the week will reach the mid 30s.

The weekend is looking dry, as sunshine warms us into the low 40s by Sunday. Another storm system will quickly build in on Monday though, bringing a chance of rain to start off the week. Chilly overnight temperatures could mix in some snow by Tuesday, but then we should dry things out by the middle of the week.

Mild, but Rainy Monday

A low pressure system moving through today will bring a good chance of rain by this afternoon. A warm front will bring breezy southerly winds bumping highs into the upper 40s and low 50s. As a cold front quickly follows, we'll see scattered showers developing around noon today. Rain will continue into the afternoon and early evening hours, before a few flurries mix in overnight. Lows will drop back into the upper teens and low 20s.

A few more flurries are possible Tuesday morning before we start clearing things out for the middle of the week. We'll be sunny by Wednesday, but highs will only reach the mid to upper 20s through Thursday. A strong low pressure system will move through the center of the country on Thursday and Friday. This will bring a chance of accumulating snow to central Illinois. As the system moves north, temperatures will warm into the mid 30s on Friday allowing for some rain and ice to mix in. Next weekend will dry us out with highs in the 30s. Monday will bring another storm system to the area with highs in the low 40s allowing for rain. Temperatures dropping into the low 30s on Tuesday cloud allow for some snow to mix in.

Much Cooler End to the Week

A bit of morning sunshine is possible, but cloud cover and breezy winds will roll in this afternoon. Highs today will only reach the low 30s. Some clearing is possible overnight, with blustery lows in the mid teens. Saturday will start off with some sunshine, but more cloud cover will move back in by the afternoon. Temperatures will be even cooler, in the mid to upper 20s. Sunshine and southerly winds will warm us back into the upper 30s on Sunday. Monday could see highs in the mid 40s, but a storm system will bring in a good chance of rain. Cooler air Monday night could mix in some ice and snow, before we dry things out on Tuesday. Highs will only reach the upper 20s and low 30s through the middle of the week. Another low pressure system moving in at the end of next week will bring a good chance of snow Thursday and Friday. This could bring a good chance of accumulation to central Illinois.

Happy Valentine's Day!

After some sunshine this morning, cloud cover will increase this afternoon. Breezy winds out of the west and southwest will still help us reach the low 40s for highs.

A cold front overnight will bring a chance of light snow to the area. Accumulations will be a few tenths of an inch at very most.

Friday will stay cloudy with a few flurries. Much cooler air will keep highs in the 20s and low 30s through Saturday. Sunshine and warming temperatures will return on Sunday. Monday will see highs back in the 40s. However, a storm system at the beginning of next week will bring a chance of rain Monday afternoon, with ice and snow mixing in Monday night. We'll clear things out a bit on Tuesday, but cooler air will keep highs in the low 30s through the middle of the week. Wednesday will be clear, but a large low pressure system will move in for the end of the week. Rain and snow will begin on Thursday, turning all to snow by Friday.

Another Nice February Day

Sunshine and building southerly winds will warm us into the mid 40s this Wednesday. Cloud cover is expected to increase overnight, though, as a weak cold front moves through. Valentine's Day will keep the cloud cover around, adding in breezy winds. Highs tomorrow will still be mild in the low to mid 40s. A stronger cold front Thursday night into Friday will bring a chance of light snow to central Illinois. Not much, if any, accumulation is expected.

Colder air will settle in for the end of the week. Highs will only hit the mid to upper 20s Friday and Saturday. Sunday will bring back the sunshine, with highs warming into the low 40s by Monday of next week. A storm system will begin moving in at the start of the week, bringing a good chance of rain by Monday night. We could see some ice and snow mixing in into Tuesday. Temperatures are looking cooler behind the system, only reaching the low 30s through the middle off the week.

Quiet through Midweek

High pressure will keep us quiet today. Look for sunshine and highs in the upper 30s and low 40s.

Just a few clouds will pull through overnight with lows in the mid to upper 20s. Wednesday will bring more sunshine and southerly winds to bump highs into the mid 40s. We'll add on partly cloudy skies and breezy winds by Valentine's Day. Thursdays highs will still reach the low 40s. A push of cold air will accompany a weak low pressure system Friday and Saturday. A few flurries are possible with highs only reaching the upper 20s and low 30s. Temperatures will start warming back up with sunshine on Sunday. Forties will be back by Monday. A storm system will begin pulling in on Monday night. Rain chances will last us into Tuesday with decreasing temperatures allowing for ice and snow to mix in. Highs for the middle of next week will only reach the upper 20s.

A Very Windy Monday

A WIND ADVISORY is in effect for all of central Illinois until 4 pm this afternoon. Wind gusts will be as strong as 50 mph.

An exiting low pressure system is the reason for the strong winds and mostly cloudy skies early today. We could see some sunshine this afternoon with highs in the upper 30s. Continued clearing and calming winds are expected overnight. Lows will drop back into the mid 20s.

Tuesday will be sunny and slightly warmer in the low 40s. The middle of the week will be mild in the low to mid 40s. Valentine's Day is looking lovely with partly cloudy skies and highs near 40. A burst of cold air dives in at the end of the week, dropping highs into the upper 20s on Friday and Saturday. We'll warm things up into next week, but a storm system will move in Monday night into Tuesday bringing a good chance of rain and wintry mix.

Windy Into Overnight

Windy Into Overnight

TONIGHT: Cloudy and windy. Low near 31°. Wind Chill of 15°-20°.

TOMORROW: Partly cloudy. A little sunshine. Winds out of WNW at 15-25mph.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy and much quieter. High 38 / Low 27.

WED/THUR: Partly cloudy. Mild with highs between 37°-42° / Lows 28°-34°.

In For A Wet Sunday

In For A Wet Sunday

TONIGHT: Cloudy and breezy. Showers and light sleet after midnight becoming all rain. Low near 30°.

TOMORROW: Cloudy w/ scattered showers through the day. Showers end early evening. High near 45°.

MONDAY: Clouds thin out for a partly cloudy day. Breezy. High near 35°.

TUESDAY: Mostly clear and cool. High near 36°.

Sunny, but Cooler

High pressure moving in will gradually clear skies into the afternoon. Despite the sun, highs today will be a few degrees cooler in the mid 30s. Clear skies overnight will drop lows into the mid 20s.

Saturday will also be sunny with southerly winds warming highs into the low 40s. Highs will be even warmer on Sunday, near 50 degrees! However, a storm system moving in will bring a chance of rain as early as Saturday night lasting into early Monday morning. Rain will likely be the main precipitation type, with upwards of a half an inch expected.

We'll dry things out early next week. Temperatures will warm above 40 by Thursday. The end of the week is looking cooler behind a cold front on Friday. Temperatures will only hit the upper 20s and low 30s by Saturday.

Soggy Thursday Forecast

A low pressure system moving through the area will bring a chance of rain for our Thursday. Temperatures right around the freezing mark could mix in some ice early today, but highs warming into the low 40s will ensure rainfall into the afternoon.

We could catch a break for the evening hours, but cool air on the back side of this system could bring some freezing drizzle and wintry mix overnight. We'll be dry and clear by Friday morning, though, with lows in the mid 20s. Tomorrow and Saturday will bring plenty of sunshine helping temperatures warm into the mid to upper 40s by the end of the weekend. However, a low pressure system moving through on Sunday will bring a good chance of rain and a few thunderstorms. Some snow and ice may mix in into early Monday morning, but we should dry out into early Monday. Skies are looking partly cloudy and temperatures near normal through the middle of next week.