233 FXUS63 KILX 081111 AFDILXArea Forecast Discussion...Updated Aviation National Weather Service Lincoln IL 611 AM CDT Mon Sep 8 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- A warming trend could push temperatures near 90 F by the end of the week.
- Little or no rainfall is forecast over the next 7 days.
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.DISCUSSION... Issued at 144 AM CDT Mon Sep 8 2025
Early morning satellite analysis shows decaying convection moving into the Plains. This activity is linked to a mid-level shortwave trough currently overriding the ridge. Model guidance consistently predicts this disturbance will continue eastward across the Mississippi Valley by Tuesday morning.
The primary effect of this disturbance will be a temperature increase as low-level winds gradually shift southwest by Tuesday evening. While there is a slight (10-20%) chance of scattered showers Tuesday evening due to warm advection, central Illinois is most likely to remain dry, as the best column moisture is displaced north of the region.
While temps are likely to trend warmer today (mid 70s) and Tuesday (upper 70s), the real jump occurs by Wednesday (mid 80s) as 500-mb heights steadily increase beneath low-level warm advection. Hot and continued dry weather will then stretch through at least Friday as the 500-mb ridge amplifies over the central US. Daily afternoon highs are forecast to warm into the upper 80s both Thursday and Friday, which is about 5-10 deg F warmer than what is considered normal for early September.
Model guidance indicates some significant divergence for the upcoming weekend. The most probable outcome suggests the continuation of hot and dry conditions into early next week, as the 500-mb ridge is expected to remain stationary over the central US. However, a few guidance members, notably the ECMWF, suggest a breakdown of this ridge due to low pressure moving equatorward into the Great Lakes between Saturday and Monday. Most other available guidance is less aggressive than the ECMWF, leading us to consider it an outlier for now, though it has shown some run- to-run consistency.
Mid-range guidance typically struggles with resolving blocking patterns. Therefore, next weekend presents two scenarios: either dry weather with temperatures around 90 F (the most likely scenario) or slightly less dry and hot conditions as a backdoor cold front enters the area (the less likely scenario). Even if the less likely scenario materializes, precipitation is not anticipated to be particularly beneficial, with both the Mean and 75th percentile QPF (ECMWF ENS) indicating less than 0.50 inches.
MJA
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.AVIATION... (For the 12z TAFs through 12z Tuesday Morning) Issued at 611 AM CDT Mon Sep 8 2025
High pressure will result in VFR conditions through the TAF period. Expect light southeast winds and just a few clouds at times.
NMA
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.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. &&
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NWS ILX Office Area Forecast Discussion