CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Although April had a few cold stretches, the statewide average temperature for the month was 54.1 degrees, 1.7 degrees above average, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

Average Temperature (F): Departure from Mean,
April 1st, 2015 to April 20, 2015

Precipitation in Illinois for April was more complicated. April precipitation ranged from 2 to 4 inches in northern and central Illinois to 4 to 7 inches in southern Illinois. As a result, the northern two-thirds of the state was slightly below average, while the southern third was up to 2 inches above average.

Fort Massac State Park reported the highest monthly precipitation total of 7.80 inches.

The Midwest had alternating bands of dryness and wetness for April. The above-average precipitation in southern Illinois extended into Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and the rest of the Ohio River Valley.

Just to the north was a band of slightly below-average precipitation across Missouri, northern Illinois, northern Indiana, and parts of Michigan. Another band of wetter conditions extends from Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, and western Michigan. Drier than average conditions have prevailed for several months in Minnesota and the Dakotas.