University of Illinois Extension

Blog Posts (59)

Hitting the long ball: What weather is best?

Ozone, protector of life on earth

Rays of light from the sun above a layer of clouds over the earth.

Tips for a creating a successful windbreak

A windbreak of evergreens

Can't rule out late frosts

Patience is critical for many garden vegetables

What do thunderstorm risk categories mean?

Meet the man who defined tornado intensity

tornado over field

Look up: Puffy clouds are here

cumulous clouds

Beware the High Dew Points of March!

How do volcanic eruptions affect climate?

gray volcano erupting plume of smoke and ash

What does it mean when warning sirens go off?

Yellow siren on roof of brick building

Quiz Answers: How well do you know weather part 2!

weather map with Q&A icon on top of it

Perihelion is a day to celebrate

man and woman walk dog as sun sets over frosty field

Can you make your home withstand a tornado?

house with torn shingles from a storm

How well do you know weather: Let's try another quiz

weather map with Q&A icon on top of it

What really is La Nina?

La Nina weather model from NOAA

What is a Microburst?

a microburst storm in the sky

Northern Illinois drought continues into fall

Anticipating the First Fall Frost in the Garden - October 2021

Fall and winter forecast looks mild, but keep mittens close

The fall equinox marks the transition from summer to autumn

fall leaves during sunrise

Hurricanes are nature's heat pumps

aerial photo of hurricane moving toward east coast of United States

What caused the August 9 tornadoes in northern Illinois?

More research on corn sweats

What is that lazy, crazy haze?

hazy sky

Preventing storm damage to trees

Some myths about the weather

cloudy skies over town

How does corn affect Midwest weather?

Corn Field

Quiz Answers: How well do you know weather?

weather map with Q&A icon on top of it

Repairing water damaged lawns

standing water in grassy lawn area

What is the difference between a tornado watch and warning?

illustration of a cartoon man watching a tornado "whats' the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?"

What are feels-like temperatures?

Quiz: How well do you know weather?

photo of weather map

How to read a weather map

How much rain did you get?

Surveying winter damage as spring emerges

Breathe in that sweet smell of rain

raindrops on puddles

Tornadoes may be moving to a town near you

What makes supercells super?

Use row cover to protect plants from more than just frost

Row cover protecting some lettuce

Perfect storm crashes Texas power grid; Can it happen here?

winter effects on power grid reduced with power grid meter

Why is my grass greener after a rain?

green grass is greener after a rainstorm

What to expect when jet streams overlap

storm from two jet streams overlaping

Winters in the late 70s were ones to tell your kids

Thundersnow possible when conditions are just right

snowy path

Are average temperatures 'normal'?

weather chart

Fruit trees have a place, even in a small yard

Do we need to fear the polar vortex?

snow-covered polar vortex rural scene with trees

How winter salt can damage landscape plants

The frosty accumulation of ice crystals on these spruce needles resulted from the wafting spray of an adjacent (untreated) roadway and serves to illustrate how salt spray can accumulate on plant parts.

How to winterize your young and fruit trees

Houseplants should be heading back inside

Vegetable garden tips for after a rain

Hot weather in the vegetable garden

Beware of spring freeze coming

Starting a Garden: Season Extension

Cold frame with vegetables growing inside in the fall.

Too Early to do Much in the Yard?

Chilling Hours Help Break Spring Dormancy

What Now? - The Last of this Season's Needs

Does your family have a disaster plan?

News Releases (23)

New climate change specialist strengthens Illinois’ commitment to environmental stewardship

High dew points increase severe weather chances

Stay safe during electrical storms

Take heed of tornado warnings

Be ready for severe weather before the sirens go off

Blistering heat, high humidity puts us at risk

Become a citizen scientist and record precipitation in your neighborhood

Illinois Extension honors 30-year rainfall reporting volunteers

Plan ahead to ride out prolonged power outages

Every day is a good day for environmental stewardship

Green infrastructure can promote social justice, fight climate change

New toolkit makes finding weather, climate lesson plans easy

Yes, it’s safe to charge your electric vehicle in the rain

Choose perennials that love sun for summer glory

Corn fields add to muggy, humid Midwestern temps

Know what's true and what's not about tornadoes

When hail freezes over

Conditions are perfect for 'pop up' storms

Here's why 'feels like' temperatures matter

Uncover secrets of the environment

Don’t let social distancing stop you from seeking shelter

Preparing for Extreme Weather

Illinois Extension Looking for Rainfall Network Volunteers in Kendall County

Staff (1)

Duane Friend

Duane Friend

State Master Naturalist and Climate Change Specialist