Chicago, Illinois – The Midwest is set for a hotter and drier stretch as September pushes toward its final full week, with much of the region running above average in temperature and only limited chances for rainfall.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and neighboring states are likely to trend several degrees warmer than normal between September 20 and 26. Precipitation, meanwhile, looks near normal for most of the central Midwest, though drier-than-average conditions may develop across parts of Missouri and southern Illinois.
Residents in cities like Chicago, Des Moines, and St. Louis can expect warmer afternoons, with some days approaching late-summer levels. Farmers across Iowa and Illinois could find drier soils persisting, a concern for late-season crops as rainfall chances remain limited. Missouri may be at higher risk of moisture deficits with below-normal precipitation likely.
Travelers should prepare for warmer-than-usual conditions on the roads, and energy demands could climb as households turn back to cooling systems. Health officials remind residents to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure outdoors during peak heat hours.
This warm, mostly dry pattern is expected to dominate through the following weekend, with updated outlooks issued by the National Weather Service as conditions evolve.
