blog navigation

Water Survey

blog posts

  • Mild March was quite a contrast to February

    Apr 2, 2021 8:30 am

    The preliminary statewide average March temperature was 45.9 degrees, 4.5 degrees above the 1991–2020 average and the 13th warmest on record going back to 1895. Preliminary statewide average total March precipitation was 4.10 inches, 1.16 inches above the 1991–2020 average and the 30th wettest on record going back to 1895.  

  • snow on pine branches

    April 2019: An active weather pattern and late-season snow

    May 1, 2019 4:30 pm

    April 2019 will be a month remembered for a continuation of an active and stormy weather pattern across Illinois, with two short-lived, yet notable and uncommon late-season snow events which impacted many in the northern portions of the state.

  • storm drain

    Researchers update Illinois standards for storm frequencies

    May 2, 2019 10:45 am

    Researchers at the Illinois State Water Survey have recently applied newer data to update Bulletin 70, the publication that provides the state standards for expected extreme storms. Engineers who design these sewers and culverts are typically required by county or community ordinances to use data from Bulletin 70 to build adequate structures based on a predefined magnitude and duration of storms.

  • Warmest April on Record for Illinois

    May 3, 2010 1:15 am

    Based on preliminary data, the statewide average temperature for Illinois in April was 58.4 degrees, 6.2 degrees above normal and the warmest April on record. This beats the old record of 58.2 degrees set in 1955, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.isws.illinois.edu).

  • Warm, active June kicks off summer

    Jun 28, 2024 1:30 pm

    In June, Illinois largely avoided serious drought conditions seen this time last year, thanks to abundant — sometimes surplus — precipitation in April and May. However, stretches of hot and dry weather have begun to quickly deplete soil moisture and drop stream levels in much of central and south-central Illinois, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

  • July: A Month of Extremes for Illinois

    Aug 4, 2011 9:15 pm

    July could be described as a month of extremes for Illinois. Hot and humid weather was persistent throughout the month. Meanwhile, heavy rains occurred in parts of northern and southern Illinois while central Illinois struggled with dry weather, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.isws.illinois.edu).

  • Cool, Wet Summer in Illinois

    Sep 2, 2009 11:00 am

    Based on preliminary data for Illinois, this was the 11th coolest and 8th wettest summer since statewide records began in 1895. The average temperature for June–August was 71.4 degrees, 2.4 degrees below normal. The total precipitation for June–August was 15.2 inches, 3.6 inches above normal, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey 

  • Hot and stormy end to summer

    Sep 2, 2021 8:15 am

    August temperatures were largely above normal across Illinois. Because of the heat and humidity, August precipitation was accompanied by frequent severe weather events including several tornadoes, hail, and strong winds.

  • August and Summer Were Cool and Dry in Illinois

    Sep 5, 2013 1:00 am

    The statewide average precipitation for August was 1.38 inches, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.  It was the third driest August on record and 2.22 inches below the 1981-2010 average.

  • September Was Cool and Wet for Illinois

    Oct 7, 2014 3:45 pm

    September was 1.5 degrees cooler than average and 0.88 inches wetter than average for Illinois, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • Widespread shallow groundwater contamination found in Southwestern Illinois cave streams and springs

    Nov 17, 2016 4:45 pm

    Researchers have detected prescription and over-the-counter medications and personal care products in Illinois groundwater, an indication that humans are contaminating water that is vital to aquatic life.

  • Fifth Warmest November and Second Warmest Fall in Illinois

    Dec 2, 2016 4:30 pm

    November 2016 was the 5th warmest November on record for Illinois, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

    This year also had the 2nd warmest fall (September, October, and November) on record for Illinois. 

  • 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).

  • January in Illinois Presented Wild Temperature Swings

    Feb 2, 2016 10:30 pm

    Illinois temperatures in January showed some very large swings in which the highs and lows tended to cancel each other out, with a monthly temperature of 26.7 degrees, or just 0.3 degrees above average, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • snow-covered trees hanging over a path

    A mostly mild January ends with winter storms in Illinois

    Feb 2, 2021 9:45 am

    January was quite a bit warmer and slightly wetter than average across the state, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

  • Soil Temperatures in Illinois Normal So Far This Winter

    Feb 20, 2015 3:15 pm

    Soil temperatures across the state have been near normal on average so far this winter, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

  • Wettest February Ends Third Wettest Winter

    Mar 4, 2008 7:15 pm

    This past February was the wettest on record in Illinois with statewide records going back to 1895. The 4.48 inches of precipitation was 2.49 inches above average. February is typically one of the driest months of the year, averaging only 1.99 inches, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.sws.uiuc.edu), a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

  • Be Prepared for Natural Disasters to Keep Well Water Safe and Clean

    Mar 28, 2013 2:45 am

    Floods, droughts, and power outages can affect the safety of water supplies in private wells.  Being prepared for the unexpected may minimize the damage, according to Steve Wilson, hydrologist at the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

  • Cold, Snowy March for Illinois

    Apr 2, 2015 3:00 pm

    The statewide average temperature for March was 38.2 degrees, 3.1 degrees below average, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • Soil Temperatures Important for Spring Field Work

    Apr 7, 2011 12:15 am

    With the arrival of spring, Illinois farmers are monitoring soil temperatures for decisions in the field. Soil temperatures across the state have been on the rise, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

  • Record-Setting Rainfall in April for Illinois

    Apr 29, 2011 12:15 am

    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).

  • April brought a mix of winter, spring, and summer weather

    May 3, 2021 12:45 pm

    Illinois temperatures varied considerably in April from way above to significantly below normal, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

  • illinois temperature maps first half of april and second half of april

    State Climatologist reported that April temperatures and precipitation fluctuated in Illinois

    May 4, 2020 9:00 am

    The preliminary statewide average April temperature was 49.2 degrees, 3.4 degrees below the 30-year normal and tied for the 27th coldest on record going back to 1895. The preliminary statewide average total April precipitation was 4.36 inches, 0.58 inches above than the 30-year normal and the 43rd wettest on record.

  • Cooler, Wetter Soils in Mid-May

    May 16, 2016 7:00 pm

    Soils were wetter and cooler than average over most of Illinois in mid-May, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

  • Soil Moisture Levels Decreasing from Last Week’s Highs

    Jun 16, 2014 3:00 pm

    Soil moisture levels are falling from the highs seen last week due to storms across 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.

  • ISWS Scientists Contributed to Reports Associated with the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize

    Jun 28, 2017 8:00 pm

    Two Illinois State Water Survey atmospheric scientists, Stanley Changnon and Kenneth Kunkel, contributed to reports issued to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore.

  • Wet June and Wettest Year-to-Date in Illinois

    Jul 2, 2013 2:30 am

    The statewide average precipitation for June 2013 in Illinois was 5.2 inches, which is nearly 1 inch above the 1981–2010 average. It was more than double the June 2012 total of 1.8 inches, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

  • Illinois’ June weather was hotter and drier than average

    Jul 5, 2022 9:45 am

    June temperatures in Illinois were above normal with a prolonged heat wave mid-month, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey. The rainfall was below normal for June.

  • Soil Moisture Continues to Decline in Illinois

    Aug 19, 2013 1:00 am

    Soil moisture continued to decline across Illinois with levels at 2 inches 27 percent lower on August 15 than those from July 15, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program Manager at the Prairie Research Institute, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • August Rainfall, Heaviest on Record in Northeastern Illinois

    Aug 24, 2007 7:45 pm

    "Rainfall amounts in northeastern Illinois already have established this as the wettest August and wettest summer since regional records began in 1895. As of the morning of August 24, rainfall for northeastern Illinois (including those counties from Boone to LaSalle and eastward) averaged 11.32 inches, 8.10 inches above normal, and beating the 1987 record of 11.02 inches. Totals for JuneAugust thus far in this area averaged 20.02 inches, 8.91 inches above normal, and beating the 1972 record of 19.26 inches," 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.

  • Future Groundwater Supplies are a Concern for Growing Illinois Communities

    Aug 24, 2009 10:00 am

    Population growth may be an economic boon for communities and counties, but the subsequent increased water demand could threaten the amount and quality of public water supplies available within the next few decades, according to Scott Meyer, hydrogeologist at the Illinois State Water Survey, a division of the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability at the University of Illinois.

  • Record-Wettest August in Illinois

    Sep 1, 2016 5:00 pm

    The statewide average rainfall for August was 6.89 inches, 3.30 inches above normal and the wettest August on record, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • Summer - One of the Warmest and Wettest on Record

    Sep 2, 2010 1:00 am

    This summer was one of the warmest and wettest on record, based on preliminary data. The statewide average temperature for summer (June–August) in Illinois was 76.4 degrees, 2.7 degrees above normal and the seventh warmest summer on record, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.isws.illinois.edu).

  • August caps off a mild summer

    Sep 5, 2024 8:00 am

    The final month of summer had mild temperatures, except for an intense heat wave in the final few days of the month, wrapping up a mild season overall, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

  • Public Meeting on Arsenic in Tolono Wells to be Held Oct. 4

    Sep 23, 2011 9:15 pm

    The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) is presenting information and outcomes from a study on arsenic concentrations found in resident wells in the Tolono area on Tuesday, October 4, 2011.

     

  • Cool fall temperatures continued in October

    Nov 3, 2020 1:00 pm

    October was much cooler than average across Illinois, 2.6 degrees below the 30-year normal for the month, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey. The preliminary statewide average October temperature was 51.8 degrees.

  • light frost on fall leaves

    Cold November brings an end to meteorological autumn

    Dec 2, 2019 3:45 pm

    November temperatures were well below the long-term average across the state, breaking hundreds of local daily records. The preliminary statewide November average temperature was 35.6 degrees, about 7 degrees below our 30-year normal and tied for the ninth coldest on record.

  • map of Illinois average temperature for November 2020

    November brings a warm end to fall

    Dec 2, 2020 9:30 am

    According to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford, November was much warmer and slightly drier than average across Illinois. The preliminary statewide average November temperature was 46.6 degrees, 4.1 degrees above the 30-year normal and tied for the ninth warmest on record. Preliminary statewide average total precipitation for November was 2.94 inches, 0.53 inches less than the 30-year normal, and the 70th driest on record.

  • Fall Brings Near-Record Warmth to the Midwest

    Dec 8, 2015 2:15 pm

    Warm conditions blanketed the Midwest during the 2015 fall season (September-October-November), bringing near-record seasonal and monthly temperatures, according the Midwestern Regional Climate Center (http://mrcc.isws.illinois.edu/), Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS).

  • Cold, dry December ends a warm year in Illinois

    Jan 4, 2017 4:30 pm

    The statewide average temperature for December was 28.6 degrees, 1.3 degrees below normal, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • frost on evergreen branch

    December brought warm and dry weather to end 2020

    Jan 4, 2021 10:45 am

  • Illinois Has Fourth Wettest Year on Record

    Jan 5, 2010 1:45 am

    Based on preliminary data in Illinois, the statewide average precipitation for 2009 was 50.3 inches, 11 inches above normal. This was the fourth wettest year on record for the state based on data going back to 1895, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey

  • A mild January in Illinois

    Feb 1, 2017 4:30 pm

    The statewide average temperature in January was 31.4 degrees, 5.0 degrees above normal, and the 14th warmest January on record, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • snow and frost on tree branches

    A warm start to January, followed by snow and record-breaking cold

    Feb 1, 2019 2:15 pm

    January 2019 will be a month remembered by an unseasonably warm start, followed by a torrent of winter storms, and ending with a monumental Arctic air outbreak that shattered many record-cold temperatures across the state.

  • January Was Warmer, Wetter than Usual

    Feb 2, 2007 8:30 pm

    "Despite the recent cold spell, statewide January temperatures of 29.5°F were 4.7°F above normal, and precipitation of 3 inches was 1.07 inches above normal, based on preliminary data. Temperatures were well above normal the first half of January (12.7°F above) and slightly below normal the second half (2.8°F below), the third consecutive month with above normal temperatures. November–January temperatures were 4.2°F above normal, the 7th warmest such period on record since 1895," 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.

  • January 2015 in Illinois: Cool and Dry

    Feb 2, 2015 3:15 pm

    January 2015 in Illinois was slightly cooler and drier than average. The statewide temperature was 25.4 degrees, 1 degree below average and the 53rd coldest on record, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • 2022 begins with a dry and cold January

    Feb 2, 2022 1:00 pm

    The preliminary statewide average January temperature was 21.1 degrees, 5.6 degrees below the 1991–2020 average. The preliminary statewide average total January precipitation was 1.17 inches, 1.14 inches below normal.

  • January in Illinois: Wet Conditions Despite the Lack of Snow

    Feb 4, 2013 2:00 am

    Snowfall was below average in January, but the statewide precipitation—which includes both rain and melted snow—was 3.9 inches, nearly 2 inches above average, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

  • Soils were warm throughout the state this winter

    Feb 24, 2017 4:30 pm

    Warmer winter soils may have an impact on agriculture and crop pest control this spring, according to researchers at the University of Illinois' Prairie Research Institute.