Often out of sight, and sometimes out of mind, National Weather Service employees are an integral part of the safety planning at the Illinois State Fair and for Illinois football games.

Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service indicates if severe weather were to threaten the happenings at the State Fair, they are on scene to provide up to the moment information for local officials.

For those planning to head out of the State Fair this year, Shimon indicates things will be warm - traditional for a State Fair season.

Severe weather is not uncommon for the State Fair season. Shimon encourages keeping an eye on the sky and be alert for those ever-changing weather conditions.