Illinois State Water Survey Illinois State Climatologist

April in Illinois Was Warm, Wet, & Wild

The preliminary statewide average April temperature was 58.6 degrees, 6.4 degrees above the 1991–2020 normal, 7.1 degrees above the 20th Century average, 5.8 degrees above the most recent 30-year average, and the second warmest April on record statewide. The preliminary statewide total April precipitation was 6.37 inches, 2.13 inches above the 1991–2020 normal, 2.65 inches […]

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Spring Begins with a Very Warm March

The statewide average March temperature was 47.7°F, 6.3° above the 1991-2020 normal for March and the 7th warmest March on record statewide. The statewide average total March precipitation was 2.76 inches, 0.18 inches below normal and the 58th driest March on record statewide. March Temperatures Start and End Like a Lamb March temperatures had ebb […]

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2024 Weather Was Very Warm and Wild

Illinois was both warmer and wetter than the 1991–2020 normal in 2024. The statewide average annual temperature was 55.5 degrees, 2.9 degrees above normal and 2nd warmest on record statewide. Statewide average total precipitation in 2024 was 40.69 inches, 0.05 inches above normal and the 43rd wettest year on record. The Second Warmest Year on […]

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Rivers Have No Effect on Tornado Tracks

The Kansas City NWS office posted this image showing that rivers have no measurable effect on tornado tracks. The case for St. Louis reminded me that one of the worst tornado disasters in US history occurred when a tornado tracked through St. Louis, jumped the Mississippi River, and continued doing damage in East St. Louis. […]

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