Summer afternoon temperatures have cooled off in the middle of the country in recent decades. But hotter nights and winters are still driving more overall warmth in the region.
A Flood Watch is in effect for Champaign County and surrounding portions of central Illinois through Sunday at 7pm. Portions of central Illinois are also under a Heat Advisory until Sunday at 7pm.
The National Weather Service advises residents to keep hydrated, take frequent breaks in the shade and air conditioning, wear light clothing, and avoid outdoor activities from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sorensen is a former TV meteorologist and has proposed several bills pushing to maintain federal support within NOAA and the National Weather Service.
The proposed budget released earlier this month “eliminates all funding for climate, weather, and ocean laboratories and cooperative institutes.
A massive ice storm hit northern Michigan in late March, knocking down limbs and trees across an estimated 3 million acres. The acres of fallen trees and brush have created concern over invasive species and the looming threat of wildfires.
Starting on Independence Day, the National Weather Service predicts temperatures to reach a peak of 94 degrees with increased humidity.
Tornadoes have killed 68 people in the U.S. in 2025, with the majority of those deaths in Kentucky and Missouri.
Daytime temperatures will top the 90’s but with high humidity it will feel like 100 to 105 degrees outside.
Summer officially kicks off Friday, June 20, and with it, will come higher temperatures and humidity, which can be hazardous to both human health and agricultural ecosystems.
The Tornado Watch expired at 4 p.m., but there were numerous reports of power outages as well as some damage to structures and buildings as well as knocked down trees around Central Illinois.
Tornado warnings were issued at different times Tuesday afternoon in Champaign, De Witt, Macon, Piatt and Vermilion counties.
Expected hazards: Wind gusts over 60 mph, hail 1 to 2 inch diameter, and isolated tornadoes possible.
All six U.S. regional climate centers will remain online through a new contract deadline in mid-June.
National Weather Service offices across the country are suspending or reducing weather balloon flights due to low staffing. Meteorologists say the loss of data could lead to forecasting challenges and less accurate long-term outlooks.