We all know the feeling. One week in March there’s a blizzard; the following week it’s 80 degrees out, and then it’s snowing again. Then raining, then a tornado watch, and 80 degrees once again. All of this in just four weeks. 

The point is, the weather in the Midwest- especially the more southern regions- sucks. It’s wildly unpredictable and leads everyone to feel constantly unprepared. Nobody ever seems to have an explanation for these extreme weather variations. Today, we will dive into what makes Midwestern weather so weird. 

Part of the reason the weather patterns here are so odd is because we are landlocked. Locations that are close to oceans or large lakes have more predictable weather because water heats up and cools down more slowly than land, creating a consistent climate. 

Another cause for Midwest weather is geographical location. The Midwest is halfway between the tropics and the northern pole. This means that cold and warm air clash above this region, causing intense winds, precipitation, and an increased risk for tornadoes. 

Lastly, the weather where we live is so intense because the Midwest is flat, with our only two significant mountain ranges being the Ozarks in Missouri and the Black Hills in South Dakota. As far as Illinois is concerned, we have no mountains or natural barriers at all, our state is almost entirely flat. A lack of mountains or terrain variation in this region makes a great habitat for extreme wind and tornadoes. Additionally, the southern part of Illinois sits atop the New Madrid fault line, making us more likely to experience earthquakes.

Now you know a little more about why the weather in the Midwest is weird, and you can be sure to enjoy today’s 80-degree weather before tomorrow’s torrential downpour or blizzard!