 Weather and climate extremes have motivated
extensive research and monitoring activities to understand the risks to Illinois and
surrounding regions. Events such as the 1993 Mississippi River flood, the 1995 heat
wave, and the 1996 severe rainstorm in northern Illinois illustrate the sensitivity of the
region to extremes. A key goal is to foster better predictions, both on short- and
long-term time scales where anthropogenic forcing may play a major role. The
Midwestern Regional Climate Center and the Office of State Climatologist are two programs providing
climate information and other services to the citizens and organizations of the Illinois
and surrounding states.
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