The latest winter weather outlook shows Illinois is in for bitterly cold temperatures.
State Climatologist Jim Angel says La Nina conditions in the Pacific Ocean will influence our weather here - and that means the forecast won't always be pretty.
"For January, climate conditions are favorable for colder than normal temperatures across Illinois and the Great Lakes region, meanwhile there are no indications that January will be either wetter or drier in Illinois. However, the Ohio River Valley is expected to be wetter than normal in January, and that could spill over into far southeastern Illinois."
Angel says the forecast for colder than normal temperatures lasts into February and March for the northern portions of the state, and wetter conditions are expected in late winter through spring.