Eastern Cornbelt:
The last days of December were expected to bring snowfall to much of central and northern Illinois, prompting a winter storm watch for the Chicago area during the week. Forecasts warned of up to six inches of snow and gusty winds in northern Illinois by New Year’s Day.
A wintry mix of rain and snow was also in Indiana’s forecast for the final days of the year, with temperatures in central Indiana rising to the 40s and low-50s as the week progressed. Ohio sources reported similar conditions, with a mix of rain and snow reported in the state’s central and northern counties.
Central Michigan residents were bracing for potentially heavy snowfall over the New Year’s weekend.
Western Cornbelt:
A powerful winter storm was expected to bring potentially heavy snow to parts of Iowa on the first day of 2022, with forecasts warning of 7-9 inches of accumulation in the Iowa City area, and up to 12 inches in other locations.
Temperatures climbed to the upper-40s in Nebraska as the week progressed, but residents were bracing for an abrupt weather change by the weekend. Forecasts warned of potentially heavy snow across eastern Nebraska on Jan. 1, with much colder weather moving in behind the precipitation.
A winter weather watch was also in effect for central Missouri late in the week. Although high temperatures were expected to touch the 60s in some locations on the last day of the year, lows in the single digits were likely by the weekend, with ice storms and up to 2-4 inches of snow possible in some locations.