CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The statewide average rainfall for Illinois in April was 7.45 inches, nearly double the average rainfall of 3.83 inches for the month. This exceeds the old record of 7.13 inches set in 1957, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.isws.illinois.edu).

Rainfall amounts ranged from 4 to 6 inches in northern Illinois and 4 to 10 inches in central Illinois to 10 to 15 inches in southern Illinois. The largest rainfall totals were in far southern Illinois. For example, Anna reported 20.01 inches, the highest total in the state. Brookport reported 15.29 inches, and Cairo reported 15.13 inches.

The statewide average temperature for April was 52.6 degrees, 0.5 degrees above average. Temperatures ranged from 1 to 2 degrees below average in northern Illinois and near-average in central Illinois to 1 to 3 degrees above average in southern Illinois. Wide temperature swings occurred with temperatures ranging from 93 degrees at Kaskaskia on April 11 to 18 degrees at Marengo on April 1.

Statewide records go back to 1895. These numbers are current as of April 29, and may change as more data arrives.

The Illinois State Water Survey at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a division of the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability, is the primary agency in Illinois concerned with water and atmospheric resources.