TRENDING WARMER THE REMAINDER OF DECEMBER

Winter settled in through the first half of December with the coldest temperatures of the season and even the first measurable snow for many in Southern Illinois. As we approach the middle of December, temperatures will be trending back to the warmer side.

The next disturbance to impact Southern Illinois will arrive later Sunday afternoon and evening. Showers will move in from the southwest, overspreading much of Southern Illinois by Sunday evening. The heaviest and most widespread rain will fall along the Ohio River with less amounts north and west. There might be only a few sprinkles in Mt. Vernon and Pinckneyville, while around 0.25" is expected in Metropolis and Golconda. Most of this rain will be gone by daybreak on Monday.

The cold front arrives first thing Tuesday morning. A secondary disturbance is expected to develop along the cold front Tuesday, resulting in the return of a few rain showers throughout the day on Tuesday. Right now, it appears precipitation will fall as rain, but it could be close along the I-64 corridor as colder air begins to plunge south once again.

The upper-level pattern is progressive over the next 7 days. While a large upper-level trough will bring another blast of colder air by the middle of this week, it's short-lived as the trough quickly exits to the north and east.

Ridging will take hold quickly, returning above average temperatures next weekend. It's December, so above average temperatures are in the 50s and for afternoon highs.

Looking out into the second half of the month, cold air will be limited. Above average temperatures will remain in place, which means that there's not going to be many chances for winter weather leading up to Christmas. At this point, I'd put the chance of having a "white Christmas" in Southern Illinois at least than 10%.TRENDING

WARMER THE

REMAINDER OF

DECEMBER