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  • Late October Freeze Ends Growing Season in Illinois

    Nov 5, 2008 9:30 am

    While Illinoisans in the far northern part of the state experienced freezing temperatures early in the month, the official close to the 2008 growing season at most locations occurred on October 28. Cold Canadian air pushed across the Midwest, producing lows that morning in the mid- to upper 20s across Illinois, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.isws.illinois.edu).

  • October Solar Radiation in Illinois: Record High in 2010, Record Low Last Year

    Nov 10, 2010 12:45 am

    Did it seem to you that the weather in October was quite a bit sunnier than in Octobers of the past? Do you remember last October as being rather cloudy?

    If these are your impressions, you are correct, according to Bob Scott, Director of the Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring Program at the Illinois State Water Survey. Scott operates an array of weather sites across the state called the Illinois Climate Network, and one of the sensors on the stations measures solar radiation.

  • Soil temperatures were warmer than normal in mid-November

    Nov 16, 2017 2:30 pm

    Soil temperatures at 4 inches under bare soil averaged 43.4 degrees on November 14, 4.5 degrees below the long-term average. Daily maximums reached into the low 50s with Fairfield reporting the day’s highest temperature at 52.7 degrees.

  • A warming climate is evident in new winter plant hardiness map

    Nov 16, 2023 2:00 pm

    Changes in the new 2023 US Department of Agriculture’s plant hardiness map are strong evidence of global warming.

  • 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.

  • State Climatologist Jim Angel authors Midwest chapter of 2018 National Climate Assessment

    Nov 27, 2018 10:00 am

    If nothing is done about climate change by 2050, Midwest farmers could see their productivity decrease to a level not seen since the 1980s, according to a new report from 13 federal agencies.

  • 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.

  • November in Illinois: Cool and dry with a dash of snow

    Dec 1, 2017 2:45 pm

    November in Illinois was slightly cooler and slightly drier than average, says the Illinois State Climatologist.

  • 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.  

  • Seventh Warmest November on Record

    Dec 2, 2009 10:45 am

    Based on preliminary data in Illinois, the statewide average temperature for November was 46.9 degrees, 5.1 degrees above normal. This was the seventh warmest November on record for the state based on data going back to 1895, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.isws.illinois.edu).

  • Cool, Dry November Finishes with First Major Snow of the Season

    Dec 3, 2008 8:15 pm

    November in Illinois was both cooler and drier than normal. However, a low-pressure system at the end of the month brought the first significant snowfall of the season across northern and central Illinois, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.isws.illinois.edu).

  • Warm November in Illinois

    Dec 3, 2010 12:30 am

    The statewide average rainfall for October was 1.4 inches, 1.5 inches below normal. This ranks as the 20th driest October on record, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.isws.illinois.edu).

  • Jim Angel

    Angel talks climate, career with Illinois News Bureau

    Dec 3, 2018 8:45 am

    News Bureau physical sciences editor Lois Yoksoulian spoke with State Climatologist Jim Angel about his career, climate change and the recently released National Climate Assessment.

  • Will Illinois have snow for Christmas?

    Dec 11, 2017 2:45 pm

    Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel wonders if it will be a white Christmas here in Illinois.

  • 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.

  • Chances of a White Christmas in Illinois This year

    Dec 14, 2012 7:30 pm

    What are the chances of a white Christmas in Illinois this year?  Historically, the highest odds are in northern Illinois, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel at the Illinois State Water Survey.

  • Illinois Farm Bureau highlights vital stats available from WARM

    Dec 15, 2017 2:45 pm

    Wind speed, precipitation, soil temperatures and pest degree days. Farmers can get those vital statistics and more from the Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring Program (WARM). More than 150,000 visitors--farmers, governmental agencies, industry and academics--regularly check the website at isws.illinois.edu/warm.

  • 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.

  • ISWS wins honorable mention in FEMA's CTP Recognition Program

    Dec 18, 2017 2:45 pm

    As a Cooperating Technical Partner (CTP), the Coordinated Hazard Assessment and Mapping Program of ISWS assesses local flood hazards, identifies high-risk areas, and engages community partners to inform, educate, and empower others to take action in preventing losses from natural hazards.