2022 Fall Forecast: See What’s In Store For Illinois

ILLINOIS — As much of the country swelters through the dog days of summer, it’s hard to fathom that meteorological autumn is less than a month away. But forecasters are already releasing their predictions for when YOUR STATE residents can expect weather perfect for hoodies and pumpkin spice everything.

Meteorological autumn kicks off Sept. 1 and continues through Nov. 30. While autumn doesn’t officially start until the Sept. 22 equinox, forecasters use consistent dates each year to easily compare one season to another.

AccuWeather recently released its 2022 fall forecast. Is Illinois in for a delightfully cool autumn packed with bonfires and trips to the apple orchard? Let’s just say we may be in for a few extra weeks of unseasonably warm temperatures.

Those of us in the Midwest shouldn't expect any major changes in temperature in September, as "summerlike warmth extends its stay over the region," AccuWeather said.

An increase in moisture could also promote rain across the Midwest as autumn begins, helping relieve drought concerns, according to AccuWeather.

Widespread warmth at the start of fall could be put a damper on residents' plans to enjoy autumnal scenery, delaying peak fall foliage.

But while fall will get off to a warm start, big changes will come in October, and the first frost of the season could arrive 1-2 weeks earlier than normal across the upper Midwest.

To determine its fall forecast, AccuWeather forecasters used data from computer models while also analyzing weather patterns around the globe and past years.

After combining these factors, the AccuWeather team condensed its seasonal outlook into one word: warm.

“With pretty good confidence this year, I think it's a mild fall setting up overall for the U.S.,” AccuWeather forecaster Paul Pastelok said.

Here’s what other parts of the country could expect:

• For the third consecutive year, La Niña will supercharge the Atlantic hurricane season, which will lead to a higher threat of tropical systems making landfall this autumn.

• Drought conditions are expected to ease across the Northeast, Midwest and Southeast. However, abnormally dry conditions will remain throughout most of the central United States in places like Texas, eastern New Mexico and western Kansas.

Widespread and long-term drought is expected to fuel another active wildfire season in the West. The worst of the fires are expected to develop in areas different than 2021.