blog posts

• 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.

• December in Illinois: Warm with Little Snow

  Jan 3, 2012 8:30 pm

  The statewide average temperature for December 2011 in Illinois was 35.7 degrees, 5.9 degrees above average. This ranked as the ninth warmest December on record with statewide records going back to 1895, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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  Warm, dry December concludes a cold, wet year

  Jan 3, 2020 8:00 am

  December temperatures were well above the long-term average across the state, breaking dozens of local daily maximum and minimum temperature records. The preliminary statewide December average temperature was 35.2 degrees, about 5 degrees above the 1981-2010 normal and the 18th warmest on record. 

• Record-Setting December Occurred in Illinois

  Jan 4, 2016 10:30 pm

  December was the warmest and second wettest for that month on record in Illinois, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

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  December 2021 was exceptionally warm

  Jan 5, 2022 8:45 am

  Provisional data show December was among the top 5 warmest on record in Illinois, with no snow on Christmas.

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  Mild, wet start to winter

  Jan 8, 2025 8:00 am

  Day to day temperature variability in Illinois is highest in climatological winter and December followed suit with regular dips and jumps in daily temperature, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

• Illinoisans Experience Spring-like Weather in January

  Jan 9, 2008 7:15 pm

  On January 7, winter weather gave way to spring-like conditions with record-breaking warmth, heavy rains, and severe weather across Illinois. Record high temperatures were set at several locations, including Peoria (67 degrees), Chicago (65 degrees), and Champaign (67 degrees), 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.

• Rainy and Dry, Chilly and Warm: 2011 Was a Unique Year

  Jan 10, 2012 8:30 pm

  The year 2011 was the 10th wettest year and a year of extreme monthly temperatures and precipitation, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel at the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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  The second warmest year on record

  Jan 15, 2025 9:00 am

  Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford has released the year-end climate analysis for 2024, which was the second warmest year on record in Illinois, with average temperatures between 1 and 6 degrees above normal.

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  Testing for lead in private wells

  Jan 27, 2021 12:00 pm

  To prevent public health crises that result from widespread lead contamination in drinking water, community water supplies are required to closely monitor their drinking water quality. 

• Lake Effect Adds a Punch to the Latest Snowstorm

  Feb 3, 2011 12:30 am

  Conditions earlier this week were exactly right for Lake Michigan to help the latest intense snowstorm drop up to 2 feet of snow in the Chicago area, according to David Kristovich, head of the Center for Atmospheric Science at the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS).

• Cold January for Illinois

  Feb 3, 2014 4:15 pm

  January 2014 was the eighth coldest January on record for Illinois. The statewide average temperature was 18.2 degrees, 8.1 degrees below the 1981-2010 average of 26.3 degrees, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel at the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

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  State Climatologist says 2020 is off to a warmer, wetter start

  Feb 3, 2020 1:30 pm

  According to State Climatologist Trent Ford, January 2020 was warmer and wetter than average across the state. The preliminary statewide average January temperature was 31.4 degrees, the 17th warmest on record going back to 1895. The preliminary statewide average total January precipitation was 4.41 inches, the 9th wettest on record.

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  January brought winter weather of yore

  Feb 4, 2025 9:15 am

  January temperatures were less mild than Illinois has become accustomed to, ending the month 4.4 degrees below the 1991-2020 average, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

• Wide Range of Weather Hits Illinois This Winter

  Feb 8, 2008 7:15 pm

  The old saying, "if you don't like the weather in Illinois, just wait a minute," was certainly true this winter. Since December 1, Illinois has experienced heavy snows, heavy rains, flooding, and severe weather, including five tornadoes in January. Both precipitation and snowfall totals this winter have been significantly above average for much of the state, 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.

• Mild Winter Leads to Warmer Soil Temperatures

  Feb 27, 2012 8:15 pm

  The mild winter weather has led to higher soil temperatures in comparison to last winter based on temperatures collected at weather stations across the state, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program Manager at the Illinois State Water Survey.

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  Stormy, wet, and chilly February for Illinois

  Mar 1, 2019 2:00 pm

  February was particularly cold and stormy in Illinois, with an almost constant succession of storms resulting in moderate snow accumulations for the northern counties and persistent rain events and widespread flooding for the far southern counties.

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  An active February finishes climatological winter

  Mar 3, 2022 9:15 am

  The preliminary statewide average February temperature was 27.2 degrees, 3.0 degrees below the 1991–2020 average and tied for 42nd coldest on record going back to 1895. The preliminary statewide average total February precipitation was 3.41 inches, 1.48 inches above the 1991–2020 average and the 9th wettest on record statewide.  

• Where is Spring?

  Mar 14, 2009 11:30 am

  A cold and wet first half of April has farmers still waiting to get into the fields and homeowners waiting to get into their gardens. Temperatures in the first two weeks of April were 4.5 degrees below normal and precipitation was 58 percent above normal. Many places in northern Illinois reported measureable snowfall from an April 5-6 storm, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.sws.uiuc.edu).

• Third Wettest Start to Year for Illinois

  May 2, 2008 1:30 am

  For the fourth time this year, the monthly statewide precipitation has been above average, resulting in the third wettest January-April since 1895, 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.