See What Forecasters Are Saying About Spring Conditions In IL

Spring forecasts are rolling in, giving Illinoisans an early look at what to expect as an especially cold and snowy winter draws to a close.

Meteorological spring starts March 1, while astronomical spring begins with the vernal equinox on March 20.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center makes predictions about both temperature and precipitation nationwide for April through June.

Despite the presence of La Niña in the tropical Pacific, NOAA predicts it will weaken and transition to ENSO-neutral conditions by spring, likely lasting through the summer. This transition, combined with long-term warming trends, contributes to the expectation of widespread warm conditions.

In Illinois, NOAA predicts a pretty mild spring in the Chicagoland, with warm temperatures and a good amount of rain compared to last spring, which the National Weather Service classified as "very dry" and cool.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac had similar predictions, forecasting temperatures will be warmer than normal overall across the surrounding Great Lakes states. Rain will be prevalent on the west side of Lake Michigan throughout the season, according to forecasters.

AccuWeather expects wintry weather to linger in some parts of the country.

In Illinois, AccuWeather said residents should be prepared for a kind of tug-of-war between cold air and springlike warmth, especially early in the season. Forecasters saidthe state will feel occasional warmups that won't last long before the wind moves back in.

The Weather Channel said the shift to a neutral climate pattern will make the influences of La Niña less pronounced in early spring.

The warmth is expected to stick around for longer in April, according to the Weather Channel. The private weather service's forecasters also predict that March, April and May will be rainier than usual.