blog posts

• Heavy Rains Strike Parts of Illinois in May

  Jun 2, 2016 7:45 pm

  The statewide average precipitation for May was 4.52 inches, just 0.08 inches below normal. However, heavy rains struck parts of Illinois, causing flooding. Some areas received up to 10 inches of precipitation by the end of the month, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel at the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

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  May brought a cool end to a warm spring

  Jun 2, 2021 8:15 am

  May temperatures varied substantially across Illinois, with an average temperature 2.5 degrees below the 30-year normal, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

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  May brought spring and a taste of summer to Illinois

  Jun 2, 2022 11:00 am

  Illinois temperatures in May varied from periods of below average to periods of far above average, breaking records across the state, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey. Rainfall was slightly below normal in May statewide.

• Fifth Wettest Spring on Record

  Jun 3, 2009 11:15 am

  Wet conditions in March, April, and May resulted in 15.9 inches of rain, 4.5 inches above normal and the fifth wettest spring since statewide records began in 1895. May precipitation was 6.0 inches, 1.7 inches above normal and the 19th wettest May on record, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.isws.illinois.edu).

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  May 2019: Exceptionally wet and stormy across Illinois

  Jun 3, 2019 3:30 pm

  May 2019 will be a month remembered for exceptional, record-breaking wet conditions locally, as well as an active, stormy, and at times severe weather pattern across the state.

• Wet Month Leads to Seventh Wettest Spring for Illinois

  Jun 6, 2011 12:45 am

  The statewide average rainfall for Illinois in May was 5.6 inches, 1.3 inches above average for the month. Combined with the 2.8 inches in March and 7.3 inches in April, the total rainfall for this spring was 15.7 inches. This is the seventh wettest spring on record since 1895 and 4.3 inches above average, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.isws.illinois.edu).

• ISWS Website for Water Supply Operators Offers New Social Media Features

  Jun 6, 2011 12:45 am

  Operators of water systems that serve small communities face many challenges:  overcoming compliance issues with few resources and a lack of money to train staff.  That’s where the Illinois State Water Survey’s www.smallwatersupply.org website can help.

• Fourth Warmest Spring in Illinois

  Jun 11, 2010 1:15 am

  Based on preliminary data, the statewide average temperature for spring in Illinois was 55.3 degrees, 3.3 degrees above normal and the fourth warmest spring on record. Warmer than normal conditions prevailed in all three spring months of March (2.5 degrees above), April (6.2 degrees above), and May (1.3 degrees above), according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.isws.illinois.edu).

• Warmer, Drier Soils in Illinois the First Half of June

  Jun 16, 2017 3:00 pm

  Soil temperatures at depths of 4 inches under sod averaged 77.7 degrees in Illinois on June 14, 4.7 degrees above the long-term average.

• Wet Soil Conditions Continue Throughout Illinois

  Jun 17, 2015 2:45 pm

  Soil conditions throughout Illinois remain wet as most of the state experienced higher than normal rainfall in the first two weeks of July, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program Manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

• High-density Network Measures Incredible Differences in Recent Heavy C-U Rains

  Jun 27, 2007 7:00 pm

  A high-density raingage network identified large differences in rainfall amounts from June 26-27 storms across Champaign County, Illinois. Amounts ranged from 2.58 inches just west of the I-57/I-72 interchange (west of Champaign) to less than 0.20 inch (southeast Urbana).

• June in Illinois: Warmer and Wetter than Average

  Jul 1, 2014 3:00 pm

  The statewide average precipitation for June 2014 in Illinois was 6.78 inches, 2.58 inches above average and the 8th wettest June on record, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

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  June 2019: Stormy and wet with a warm finish

  Jul 1, 2019 4:30 pm

  June 2019 will be a month remembered for a continuation of above average precipitation and near to seasonably cool temperatures, despite an unseasonably warm finish.

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  June brought all kinds of weather to start the summer in Illinois

  Jul 1, 2021 2:15 pm

  June in Illinois started out particularly warm and ended with above average rainfall from numerous storms, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

• Record June Rain, Flooding Inundates Midwest

  Jul 2, 2015 2:45 pm

  Heavy rain and flooding highlighted a wild month of June across the central portions of the Midwest.  The wettest state was Illinois, where a precipitation record that has stood for over 100 years was broken, according to Bryan Peake, service climatologist at the Midwestern Regional Climate Center (http://mrcc.isws.illinois.edu), Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS).

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  Summer started mostly warm and dry in Illinois

  Jul 2, 2020 1:30 pm

  The preliminary statewide average June temperature was 73.7 degrees, 1.8 degrees above the 30-year normal, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey. The preliminary statewide average total June precipitation was 3.70 inches, 0.51 inches below the 30-year normal.

• June was Warm with Extreme Rainfall Variations across Illinois

  Jul 5, 2017 3:00 pm

  The average temperature for June in Illinois was 72.8 degrees, 0.9 degrees above normal, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel with the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

• End-of-June Rainfall Provides Remarkable Transformation

  Jul 6, 2007 7:45 pm

  "The most outstanding feature of June weather was the change from very dry conditions the first 18 days to very wet ones the rest of the month. As a result, crops, lawns, and gardens recovered quickly from abnormally dry conditions that began in May," says State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.sws.uiuc.edu), a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Statewide June precipitation in Illinois was 4.47 inches (0.39 inches above normal), and statewide temperatures were 72.7°F degrees (0.8°F above normal). "That's quite a switch from the first 18 days of June, only 1.03 inches statewide, less than half the 2.42-inch normal for that period. The last 12 days of June had 3.44 inches, about twice the 1.66-inch normal," says Angel.

• Wet June for Illinois

  Jul 6, 2009 11:15 am

  Statewide June precipitation in Illinois was 5.3 inches, 1.2 inches above normal, and the 25th wettest June on record. The total precipitation for the first half of 2009 was 24.2 inches, 4.8 inches above normal, and the 14th wettest January–June on record for the state, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.sws.uiuc.edu).

• Record Wet Start to the Year in the Midwest

  Jul 16, 2013 2:30 am

  Following the drought-stricken 2012, the first six months of 2013 are off to a record wet start in much of the Midwest.  Year-to-date regional precipitation totals rank as the wettest January-to-June period on record (records start in 1895) for the Midwest, according to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center (http://mrcc.isws.illinois.edu) at the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS).

• Soil Moisture High in Northern and East-Central Illinois

  Jul 16, 2014 3:00 pm

  Soils in northern and east-central Illinois are beginning to dry out after the rains of last weekend, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program Manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

• It's a Tie for the Coolest July on Record in Illinois

  Aug 1, 2014 3:00 pm

  The statewide average temperature for July was 70.3 degrees in Illinois, which ties the record for the coolest July set back in 2009, according to the Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel at the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

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  Another very weather-active July in the books

  Aug 7, 2024 11:15 am

  After a drier than normal June, Hurricane Beryl and an active, stormy July resulted in statewide precipitation of 7.01 inches, 2.95 inches above the 1991-2020 average and the third wettest on record, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

• Soil Moisture Increased throughout Illinois Due to Recent Rains

  Aug 16, 2016 7:15 pm

  Recent rains increased soil moisture throughout the state, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

• Near-Normal August after a Hot and Dry Summer for Illinois

  Aug 31, 2012 7:45 pm

  After months of exceptionally warm temperatures and drought, Illinois finally experienced temperatures and precipitation closer to normal in August, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel at the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

• ISWS Partners on Project to Help Communities Prepare for Climate Extremes

  Sep 1, 2016 5:00 pm

  Climatologists from the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) are partnering with the American Planning Association in a two-year project to assist five Illinois pilot communities in preparing for more frequent climate extremes using current weather and climate data.

• A Wet August Wraps Up a Cool, Wet Summer in Illinois

  Sep 2, 2014 3:45 pm

  The 12th wettest August in Illinois finishes out the 10th wettest summer on record. While August was slightly warmer than average, the summer was cooler than average, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

• August: Drought Arrives in Illinois

  Sep 6, 2011 9:15 pm

  The statewide average precipitation was 2.06 inches, 1.6 inches below average and 56 percent of average. This was the 13th driest August on record since 1895, based on preliminary data, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.isws.illinois.edu).

• Soil Moisture Levels Remain Lower Than Normal in Illinois

  Sep 17, 2013 1:00 am

  Soil moisture levels remained lower than normal, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program Manager at the Prairie Research Institute, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

• Soil Moisture Rises the Second Week of September

  Sep 17, 2015 2:30 pm

  Soil moisture levels rose across Illinois the second week of September as the state saw increased rainfall and cooler soil temperatures, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program Manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

• September: The Ninth Warmest on Record for Illinois

  Oct 2, 2015 2:30 pm

  September 2015 was the ninth warmest September on record for Illinois, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois. The statewide average temperature was 70.2 degrees, 4 degrees above average.

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  September weather was slightly cooler and wetter than average in Illinois

  Oct 2, 2020 8:45 am

  The preliminary statewide average September temperature was 65.4 degrees, 0.8 degrees below the 30-year normal, and tied for the 45th coolest on record. Preliminary statewide average total precipitation for August was 3.39 inches, 0.16 inches more than the 30-year normal, and the 58th wettest on record.

• September: A Cool Month in Illinois

  Oct 7, 2011 9:15 pm

  The statewide average temperature in Illinois was 63.2 degrees, 3 degrees below average, and the 13th coolest September on record for the state.  The coolest September was in 1918 with 59.3 degrees, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel at the Illinois State Water Survey.

• September was Dry and Warm in Illinois

  Oct 7, 2013 1:45 am

  Dry conditions were widespread across Illinois in September, and temperatures were above average for the first time in several months, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

• Unseasonably Dry And Warm Conditions Kick Off October In The Midwest

  Oct 17, 2011 9:15 pm

  It was an unseasonably dry and warm start to October across the Midwest.  On average, the Midwest experienced only 23 percent of its normal precipitation during the first 12 days of October, and temperatures were an average of 6 degrees above normal, according to Steve Hilberg at the Midwestern Regional Climate Center at the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS).

• October: Warm and Dry in Illinois

  Nov 2, 2015 2:30 pm

  October was warmer and drier than average in Illinois. The statewide average temperature was 55.8 degrees, 1.7 degrees above average, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

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  October in Illinois had warm temperatures and plenty of rain

  Nov 2, 2021 10:45 am

  October 2021 in Illinois was the eighth warmest and the fourth wettest October on record going back to 1895, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

• October Rainfall Helps Soil Dryness

  Nov 4, 2013 1:45 am

  Precipitation was near normal for the month of October in Illinois, at a statewide average of 3.2 inches. The long-term average, or normal, for October is 3.26 inches of precipitation, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

• October Was Wetter Than Average for Illinois

  Nov 4, 2014 3:45 pm

  The statewide average precipitation for October in Illinois was 4.5 inches, which is 1.2 inches above average, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

• Soil Temperatures Still Warmer than Normal

  Nov 17, 2016 4:45 pm

  Soil temperatures declined through the first half of November, but still remain higher than normal, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

• Illinois was Cold and Dry in November

  Dec 1, 2014 3:45 pm

  November was much colder and drier than average. The statewide average temperature was 34.3 degrees, which is 8.2 degrees below average, and the fourth coldest November on record, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

• Warm and Damp November in Illinois

  Dec 1, 2015 2:15 pm

  Illinois experienced its third wettest and tenth warmest November on record, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

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  Temperature changes were common throughout November in Illinois

  Dec 1, 2021 11:30 am

  The preliminary statewide average November temperature was 40.7 degrees, 1.0 degree below the 1991–2020 average and 53rd coldest on record going back to 1895. The preliminary statewide average total November precipitation was 1.00 inch, 2.31 inches below the 1991–2020 average and the 9th driest on record.  

• November: An Interesting Month for Weather in Illinois

  Dec 7, 2011 9:00 pm

  November in Illinois was the sixth wettest November on record and the ninth warmest, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  In addition, the drought in central and western Illinois has ended due to the above average rainfall.

• A Snowy Christmas in Illinois is Rare

  Dec 14, 2009 1:45 am

  Every year in December, weather forecasters are asked the age-old question:  Will we have a white Christmas this year? An analysis of Illinois' history shows the chances are slim, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel at the Illinois State Water Survey.

• Chance of a White Christmas in Illinois

  Dec 15, 2014 3:45 pm

  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, but will it be white?  A white Christmas is defined as at least an inch of snow on the ground on Christmas Day. It should come as no surprise that the highest odds are in northern Illinois, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

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  State Climatologist provides context on December tornadoes

  Dec 16, 2021 8:45 am

  Severe thunderstorms developed in the late afternoon, evening, and night of Dec. 10, resulting in strong tornadoes in Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Storm Prediction Center listed 85 tornadoes nationwide from the Dec. 10 outbreak, including 12 in Illinois. Also, six deaths were reported in the state.

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  Warm, wet November wraps up fall

  Dec 18, 2024 8:15 am

  November wrapped up a mild, dry fall with more mild temperatures, including several warmer-than-normal days, to tie the 10th warmest November since 1895, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

• Illinois in 2012: Second Warmest and Tenth Driest on Record

  Jan 2, 2013 2:00 am

  The year 2012 will long be remembered for the drought and the exceptionally warm temperatures. While the data for December are still preliminary, 2012 was the second warmest and tenth driest year on record for Illinois, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey at the University of Illinois.

• Midwest Experiences Warmest and Wettest December on Record

  Jan 6, 2016 10:30 pm

  In a year when many state records were broken, 2015 ended with historically warm temperatures and well above-normal precipitation, leading to the warmest and wettest December on record for the Midwest, according to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center (MRCC) at the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS).