Heat Persists in the South Central U.S. and Southwest; Heavy rains in the Desert Southwest and Central Plains

Sweltering heat remains across the South-Central Plains, Lower/Middle Mississippi Valley, and the Southwest this week with limited nighttime relief. Thunderstorms will bring heavy rainfall leading to localized flash flooding in portions of the Desert Southwest and central Plains. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across portions of the central Plains into the Northeast. Read More >

While unseasonably mild weather spurred early growth around the region, it is important to remember that freezing temperatures typically occur well into April over central and southeast Illinois. Much of the area will usually see the last freeze around mid April, with hard freezes (lows of 28°F or colder) still possible through the first several days of the month.

The following graphics are courtesy of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center. An interactive map is also available at https://mrcc.purdue.edu/freeze/freezedatetool .

Observed date of most recent freeze

Observed date of most recent hard freeze (28 deg.)

Average date of last freeze (32 deg.)

Average date of last hard freeze (28 deg.)

Observed date of most recent freeze. Image courtesy MRCC