While Groundhog Day remains a fun tradition, meteorologists rely on data and computer models for more accurate forecasts. This year, the National Weather Service said it's a toss-up whether Illinois will see an early spring.

There is a risk of flooding Friday across the Chicago area amid heavy rain mixing with frozen soil and rivers, officials said.

Dry, gusty conditions in Northeastern Illinois led the National Weather Service to issue a fire weather watch for the entire Chicago area Monday. Here's a breakdown of what it means.

A wind advisory and a fire weather watch were issued Monday for parts of the Chicago area, the National Weather Service said, with dry air and gusty winds of up to 50 miles-per-hour possible at times.

St. Louis and parts of Illinois face a cold start to the week, with NWS issuing advisories and temperatures dropping sharply.

The combination of strong winds, dry conditions, and warm temperatures increases the risk of wildfires, particularly in grassy or wooded areas.

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued Cold Weather Advisories for the area through 3 pm on Tuesday. While it’s not the coldest air we’ve ever

The area remains under a Flood Watch until 3 p.m. Friday as the rainmaker diminishes into the afternoon hours.

A flash flood warning for most of the Chicago area was issued Friday afternoon as an unusually rainy January day creates a flooding risk in part due to frozen soil.

Heavy rain is currently affecting parts of Chicagoland, leading to a Flood Watch for most of the area through 3 p.m. today.

Heavy rain combined with frozen soils has prompted a flood advisory for parts of north central and northeast Illinois, including in DeKalb, La Salle, Lee, Ogle, DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties. Flooding is anticipated in areas with poor drainage systems, including urban areas.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch until 3 p.m. Friday for several northern Illinois counties. Heavy rains could cause some localized flooding.