CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Colder temperatures in the first half of April in Illinois were nearly canceled out by warmer temperatures in the second half of the month, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

The average temperature for Illinois in April was 52.7 degrees, just 0.1 degree above the statewide normal.

The statewide average rainfall for April was 3.30 inches, 0.5 inches below normal. The highest monthly rainfall totals were 8.65 inches at Paris, and 7.98 inches at Effingham. In general, the northern half of the state received 1.5 to 4 inches of rain, and the southern half received 4 to 7 inches of rain.