Crab Orchard Refuge & Devils Kitchen Lake, IL

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Calm water and wooded shoreline at Devils Kitchen Lake in Crab Orchard Refuge
Calm water and wooded shoreline at Devils Kitchen Lake in Crab Orchard Refuge — Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Today’s Forecast:

☁
72°F
High: 72° | Low: 58°
Current Temperature
Mostly Cloudy
Station: KMWA
Observed at: 12:47 pm CDT on 9/26/26
Wind: 6 mph | Humidity: 43%
This Afternoon:Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. East northeast wind around 3 mph.
Tonight:Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. North northeast wind around 2 mph.
Sunday:Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. North northeast wind 0 to 3 mph.
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Today’s Report:

🥾 Hiking

Excellent
  100 /100

Excellent for hiking. High near 67°F. Low rain risk (1%).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 100/100
Excellent for hiking. High near 75°F. Low rain risk (4%).

⛺ Camping

Excellent
  100 /100

Excellent for camping. High near 67°F. Low rain risk (1%).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 100/100
Excellent for camping. High near 75°F. Low rain risk (4%).

⛵ Boating

Excellent
  92 /100

Excellent for boating. High near 67°F. Low rain risk (1%).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 100/100
Excellent for boating. High near 75°F. Low rain risk (4%).

🛶 Paddling

Excellent
  92 /100

Excellent for paddling. High near 67°F. Low rain risk (1%).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 100/100
Excellent for paddling. High near 75°F. Low rain risk (4%).

🐟 Fishing

Excellent
  100 /100

Excellent for fishing. High near 67°F. Low rain risk (1%).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 100/100
Excellent for fishing. High near 75°F. Low rain risk (4%).

About Crab Orchard Refuge & Devils Kitchen Lake

Crab orchard lake, devils kitchen lake, refuge trails, established campgrounds, ramps and marinas create different weather decisions within one practical trip.

Planning an Outing

Begin with wind, no-wake areas, horsepower restrictions, seasonal waterfowl closures, fog, algae, lightning and access restrictions. Check the exact facility notice before committing to this a regulated federal refuge lake system.

Weather Tips

  • Across a regulated federal refuge lake system, compare wind direction with open-water fetch; short, steep waves can build before rain arrives.
  • Before camping at a regulated federal refuge lake system, confirm loops, water service and gate hours with the managing agency.
  • Devils Kitchen has a 10-hp limit and a gas-motor restriction in its southeast section. Watercraft east of Wolf Creek on Crab Orchard Lake are barred October 16 through February 28.
  • The Route 13 bridge work currently closes boating and fishing access beneath the bridges.

Nearby Towns and Areas

  • Crab Orchard Lake
  • Devils Kitchen Lake
  • Wolf Creek
  • Crab Orchard Campground
  • Marion
  • Carbondale

Adjust the Day to the Forecast

Move to shore or a short protected trail when wind, waves, flow or access is unsuitable; otherwise, delay campsite setup until warned wind or lightning passes.

7-Day Forecast

☁
72°F
High: 72° | Low: 58°
Current Temperature
Mostly Cloudy
Station: KMWA
Observed at: 12:47 pm CDT on 9/26/26
Wind: 6 mph | Humidity: 43%
Sat ☁
72° 58°
2%
Sun ⛅
75° 53°
4%
Mon ☀
76° 56°
0%
Tue ☀
81° 65°
0%
Wed ⛈
82° 69°
17%
Thu 🌧
79° 66°
46%
Fri 🌧
74° 63°
52%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

72° Sat 75° Sun 76° Mon 81° Tue 82° Wed 79° Thu 74° Fri

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

58° Sat 53° Sun 56° Mon 65° Tue 69° Wed 66° Thu 63° Fri

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 100 Sat 100 Sun 90 Mon 20 Tue 18 Wed 70 Thu 95 Fri
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: September 26, 2026 6:47 pm CDT

Weather by Season

Winter

Freeze-thaw cycles leave shaded parts of this a regulated federal refuge lake system icy while exposed ground softens; verify roads and gates after storms.

Spring

Basin-wide rain can raise water and move debris through this a regulated federal refuge lake system; low access may remain closed after the crest.

Summer

Afternoon wind and lightning can end a water window on this a regulated federal refuge lake system; warm water may also bring advisories.

Fall

Cold water arrives before winter air on this a regulated federal refuge lake system; stronger fronts shorten launch windows and seasonal facilities reduce hours.

Key Climate Data Points

  • Local climate: This local planning area has an annual average temperature about 57–60°F, receives roughly 45–50 inches of precipitation and records usually under 10 inches, with some winters receiving little measurable accumulation.
  • Wettest season: Spring, when thunderstorms and river flooding become more frequent.
  • Driest season: Late summer or early fall.
  • Annual average temperature: About 57–60°f.
  • Annual snowfall: Usually under 10 inches, with some winters receiving little measurable accumulation.