Climate

Duane Friend teaching at a conference

Time to say farewell to your weather Friend

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. This author will be heading out to pasture and retiring in May after working with University of Illinois Extension since 1993. I have sincerely enjoyed sharing weather phenomena over the years with youth and adults through in-person programs...
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sunset shining through snowy forest

Are cold temperatures good for soil quality?

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...
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snow plow on snow covered road

Is it ever too cold to snow?

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...
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a tornado off in the distance surrounded by dark gray clouds

Is Illinois part of a new tornado alley?

As of mid-September of this year, guess which state has had the most tornadoes for the year. Texas?  Kansas? Oklahoma? Alabama? Nope, it’s Illinois! As of September 11, Illinois has had 135 tornadoes. The state annual average is 54. Is this part of an ominous trend? What is...
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