Climates
Cloud Formation
Storms
Illinois Weather
100
This Climate includes the Wet Rainforest, Monsoon, and the Wet and Dry Savannah and is found along the equator most often but can also be found in places such as Mexico, Southern Florida, and India
What is Tropical?
100
This name means "Low Level" and are often flat and smooth clouds that fill the sky such as the Stratocumulus and Nimbostratus
What is Stratus?
100
Born of Cumulonimbus storms, this phenomenon is caused by high winds starting from 65mph but can pass 200mph.
What is a Tornado?
100
The date of April 23rd is important for anyone who gardens or farms with tender plants that cannot tolerate cold temperatures.
What is the Last Frost Date?
200
This Climate includes Arid and Semiarid which commonly include the Desert Ecosystem and is found the American Southwest, Northern Africa, and Central Asia.
What is Dry?
200
This name means "Fluffy" and often looks like cauliflower such as the Cumulonimbus storm clouds and Stratocumulus
What is Cumulus?
200
This type of cyclone forms in the Atlantic Ocean and can have winds starting at 75mph but can exceed 250mph.
What is a Hurricane?
200
Being in a Continental Climate, Illinois is known for it's Cool to Cold Winter, Temperate Spring and Autum, and this kind of Summer that is also found in the Southern United States.
What is Hot and Humid Summer
300
This Climate includes Mediterranean, Humid Subtropical, Marine and is found in areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the West Coast including states like Washington
What is Mild?
300
This name means "Mid Level" and often include scattered and puffy clouds such as Altocumulus and Altostratus
What is Alto?
300
This type of winter storm lasts for 3 or more hours with strong winds that exceed 35mphs that violently produces snow and ice.
What is a Blizzard?
300
Thanks to the proximity to the Great Lakes, especially Lake Michigan, the Northern Region of Illinois, especially Chicago, receive much snow and stronger winds than nearby regions.
What is the Lake Effect?
400
This Climate includes Warm Summer, Cool Summer, and Subarctic (Boreal). This is the Climate of our area!
What is Continental
400
This name means "Rain Bearing" and are often dark in color such as the Cumulonimbus storm clouds or the Stratonimbus rain cloud
What is Nimbus?
400
This type of cyclone forms in the Pacific Ocean and can have winds starting at 75mph but can exceed 250mph.
What is a Typhoon?
400
When looking to plant a garden, Illinoisans often refer to this to see what the weather will be like depending on where in the state they live with:
Southern Illinois being in Zones 6a-7a.
Central Illinois being in Zones 5a-6a.
Northern Illinois being in Zones 5a-5b.
What is Plant Hardiness Zones?
500
This Climate includes Tundra and Arctic and found far north and far south.
What is Polar?
500
This name means "High Up" and are often wispy and streched such as Cirrocumulus and Cirrostratus
What is Cirro or Cirrus?
500
This storm is caused by strong winds picking up dust and sand and carrying it over non-desert areas, unlike a sandstorm.
What is a Haboob?
500
According to the Köppen Climate indication, Illinois has two distinct regions which cut the state in half.
What is Hot-Summer Humid Continental and Hot-Summer Mediterranean?