Cold winter air is one reason that we have highly productive soil in Illinois and the Midwest. Temperature plays a major role in how much organic matter is present in soils. Soil organic matter is carbon-based material, such as organic substances given off by plant roots, that has been broken...

We have all heard the story of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock in 1620 and the harsh conditions endured during the winter. The following year, they learned, with the help of indigenous people, how to survive at this location.  We probably also relate what they went through to what we see...

We’re nearing that time of year when we’ll start to get warnings about the potential for a frost or freeze taking place. Is there really a difference between the two?Frosts occur close to the groundFrosts can occur even when a thermometer at eye level shows temperatures a few degrees above freezing...

Labor Day weekend is usually considered the last holiday of summer. It’s one last chance to gather with friends and family for a cookout, games, or beach time. On beaches along the Gulf Coast and southern Atlantic Seaboard, this is also a time when people are wary of the weather. Several major...

Most people who read this blog know most of the symbols on a weather map, such as warm and cold fronts, high- and low-pressure areas, and stationary fronts. However, there may be one type of symbol you’ve seen and maybe even know the term for, but don’t really know what it means. That is the...

Many people like watching lightning when it’s off in the distance. If it’s close, it becomes a hazard. While fatalities from lightning have come down considerably in the past few decades, there are still several dozen a year in the United States. We are all aware of this danger. It is electricity...

When I do weather talks, I usually get a question like, “Why do we see storms split apart and come back together after they pass by?” Unfortunately, I must tell folks that most of the time, what they’re observing is all in the eyes of the beholder. If it were true from every location I have gotten...

As we get closer to this year’s growing season, it’s important to remember that the changes to the climate are also affecting local weather patterns and planting dates. There are many climate tools available for anyone growing gardens, crops, specialty crops, and landscapes through the...

When I was growing up, back in the time when grade schoolers were allowed to play in the snow during recess, we would make “snow forts,” making several large snowballs maybe 3 feet wide. Today, our warmer winters and changes in policies have made this just a memory. While making snowballs is not as...

Winter is here, and probably by the time you read this, we will have had one or more significant snow events. When it gets really cold, you may hear someone say “it’s too cold to snow.” But is that true? Air temperature, water vapor and humidity work together The first thing to know is that the...

Growing seasons are shifting — storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires are becoming more common. As the climate changes, we at Extension are working to meet the new challenges facing agriculture. A team of multi-university Extension personnel, in partnership with the USDA Midwest Climate Hub, is...