Illinois State Water Survey Illinois State Climatologist

Comparison of 2012 to 1988 in Illinois

Precipitation The first figure shows the statewide precipitation departures by month for both 1988 (blue) and 2012 (red) in Illinois, using the 1981-2010 average as normal. There are several interesting features: the period from January to March was actually drier in 2012 than 1988; the 1988 drought started abruptly in April with dramatically less precipitation; […]

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Southern Illinois: Tale of Extreme Back to Back Years

The conditions in southern Illinois could not be farther apart than the last two years. Last year finished as being one the wettest on record while this year is shaping up to be one of the driest on record. Here are some startling statistics for Carbondale. From January 1 to July 17 this year, Carbondale […]

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Southern Illinois: Tale of Extreme Back to Back Years

The conditions in southern Illinois could not be farther apart than the last two years. Last year finished as being one the wettest on record while this year is shaping up to be one of the driest on record. Here are some startling statistics for Carbondale. From January 1 to July 17 this year, Carbondale […]

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First Half of July – Hot and Dry

Rainfall The statewide average rainfall for Illinois in the first half of July is only 0.8 inches. That is 1.2 inches below average or 40 percent of average. The statewide 1981-2010 average rainfall for the first half of July is 2.0 inches. The driest July on record was July 1930 with only 1.01 inches. Next in […]

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