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Water Survey

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  • 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.

  • 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).

  • June in Illinois: Hot and Dry

    Jul 3, 2012 7:45 pm

    Following the warmest spring on record, June continued to be hot and dry in Illinois, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel at the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • June Was Warm and Dry in Illinois

    Jul 5, 2016 7:30 pm

    The statewide average temperature for June in Illinois was 74.8 degrees, which was 2.9 degrees above normal and the 14th warmest June on record, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • 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.

  • 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).

  • ISWS Climate Models Predict Extreme Heat Waves in Mid-and Late-21st Century

    Jul 13, 2010 1:15 am

    Heat waves that we have experienced recently will likely pale in comparison to what’s ahead in 50 years if greenhouse gas emissions continue at the current rate, according to Xin-Zhong Liang, Ph.D., Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) atmospheric scientist at the University of Illinois and assistant professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences.

  • Soil Moisture Levels Decline Slightly in Illinois

    Jul 15, 2013 2:15 am

    Soil moisture levels at depths of 2 inches declined an average of 15 percent from June, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program Manager at the Prairie Research Institute, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • 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.

  • Visit the ISWS at the 2018 Illinois State Fair!

    Jul 16, 2018 8:00 am

    Water Survey staff will be demonstrating how contamination moves through groundwater and into private wells and how well pumps work, and will provide free information on testing and maintenance of private wells, in Conservation World from August 10 through August 19.

  • Soil Moisture Increases in Southern and Western Illinois

    Jul 18, 2016 7:30 pm

    Increased rainfall led to rises in soil moisture levels during the first half 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.

  • Wet Weather Challenges the 2008 Growing Season

    Jul 29, 2008 12:45 am

    Although recent Illinois weather conditions have been ideal for crops, many areas have been affected by late planting and significant flooding across the state, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey.

  • July in Illinois–Cool and Dry

    Aug 1, 2013 2:00 am

    The statewide average temperature for July in Illinois was 73.3 degrees, 2 degrees below the 1981-2010 average. It currently ranks as the 19th coolest July on record, dating back to 1895, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

  • sun

    July 2019: Prolonged stretch of abnormally wet weather comes to an end

    Aug 1, 2019 3:30 pm

    July 2019 signaled the end of a persistent and historic stretch of abnormally wet conditions across Illinois, along with several notable periods of significantly above average temperatures.

  • July Conditions in Illinois Ranged from Floods to Drought

    Aug 2, 2017 3:45 pm

    Northern Illinois experienced heavy rain and widespread flooding in July. Meanwhile, parts of central and southern Illinois experienced dry weather that caused crop damage, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey at the University of Illinois.

  • July brought high humidity and above average rainfall

    Aug 2, 2021 3:30 pm

    Rainfall was above average in July in Illinois with slightly cooler temperatures and very high humidity, even by recent climate standards, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

  • Cooler than Normal July Prevails

    Aug 3, 2007 7:45 pm

    "Statewide July temperatures averaged 73.5°F, 2.3°F below normal, and the 20th coolest July since 1895. While we had some hot days, Illinois generally managed to avoid the heat wave experienced out West during July," 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.

  • July: Cool and Wet for Illinois

    Aug 3, 2015 2:30 pm

    July was both cooler and wetter than average in Illinois, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • State Climatologist: An active July continues a warm summer

    Aug 3, 2020 1:45 pm

    July was warmer and wetter than average across Illinois, continuing a warmer than average summer season. The preliminary statewide average July temperature was 77.2 degrees, 1.8 degrees above the 30-year normal. Preliminary statewide average total precipitation for July was 5.79 inches, 1.71 inches wetter than normal.

  • July brought sweetcorn…and floods, drought, heat, smoke, and tornadoes

    Aug 3, 2023 1:45 pm

    In one month, Illinoisans experienced severe heat, lingering drought and flash floods, strong storms, and poor air quality. This was not your typical July, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the 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).

  • Record Wet Conditions Continue for the Midwest

    Aug 4, 2015 2:30 pm

    Heavy rain continued to fall across the Midwest this July after Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio broke records for June precipitation. Seven of the nine states in the region recorded above normal precipitation for July, according to Bryan Peake, service climatologist at the Midwestern Regional Climate Center (http://mrcc.isws.illinois.edu/), Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS).

  • No Surprise: July was Hot and Dry in Illinois

    Aug 7, 2012 7:45 pm

    This July was the second warmest and fourth driest on record, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

  • July–Warmer and Wetter than Normal for Illinois

    Aug 8, 2010 1:00 am

    The statewide average temperature for Illinois in July was 77.7 degrees, 1.9 degrees above normal. While it was warm and uncomfortably humid, it was only the 19th warmest July on record, tied with 1986 and 1952, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.isws.illinois.edu).

  • Warmer fall temperatures don’t eliminate risk of early fall freeze

    Aug 10, 2020 1:30 pm

    Temperatures in September and October have risen for decades in the Midwest; however, early fall freeze events have occurred despite the increasing temperatures.

  • 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.

  • Farmers Must Adapt to Climate Changes in Illinois

    Aug 17, 2016 7:00 pm

    Farmers who keep an eye on the sky and an ear tuned to the local weather report will also want to pay attention to long-term climate change trends which may sway production decisions down the road.

  • Illinois Soils Cooler, Drier in Mid-August

    Aug 17, 2017 3:45 pm

    Soil temperatures at depths of 4 inches under sod averaged 75.8 degrees in Illinois during the first half of August, 1.2 degrees below the long-term average and 4.0 degrees lower than the same period in 2016

  • Little Change in Soil Moisture During the First Half of August

    Aug 18, 2015 2:30 pm

    Soil moisture levels in Illinois showed little overall change in the first half of August, 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 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.

  • 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.

  • Illinois Has a Cool, Dry August

    Sep 1, 2017 2:30 pm

    August was cool across the state and dry in most places in Illinois, capping off a summer that was cool and wet, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • 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 

  • 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.

  • clouds with pink lining

    State Climatologist: Varied temperatures and rainfall and a derecho make for a wild August

    Sep 2, 2020 9:00 am

    August was slightly cooler and much drier than average across Illinois. The preliminary statewide average August temperature was 72.7 degrees, 0.9 degrees below the 30-year normal and the 45th coolest on record. Preliminary statewide average total precipitation for August was 2.01 inches, 1.58 inches below than the 30-year normal and the 15th driest on record.

  • Cool, Dry August for Illinois

    Sep 3, 2008 12:30 am

    August statewide precipitation was below normal, ending an eight-month streak of above-normal precipitation in Illinois that began in December 2007, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.sws.uiuc.edu).

  • dry cracked soil

    Unequal August precipitation leads to drought in Illinois

    Sep 3, 2019 10:00 am

    August 2019 will be remembered for remarkable differences in monthly precipitation totals across Illinois, as well as the first appearance of drought in the state since September 2018.

  • August was Cool and Dry in Illinois

    Sep 5, 2017 3:45 pm

    The statewide average temperature in August was 70.6 degrees, 3 degrees below normal. This was the 12th coolest August on record, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel at the 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).

  • Summer drought may dull fall color

    Sep 14, 2012 2:00 pm

  • 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.

  • Illinois has dry soils in mid-September

    Sep 18, 2017 2:00 pm

    Illinois received 0.20 inches of rain for the month as of September 17, 1.59 inches below the long-term average. Dry weather in August and September has led to low soil moisture across Illinois.

  • frost on branches

    State Climatologist looks at fall freeze data

    Sep 25, 2019 8:45 am

    Due to significant planting delays across most of the Midwest this year, State Climatologist Trent Ford has heard many concerns about an early fall freeze and its potential effects on immature crops. Even in normal growing seasons, an early fall freeze can cause considerable impacts and yield losses for crops.

  • sun

    September heat, flooding, and drought

    Oct 1, 2019 2:15 pm

    September 2019 was tied for the fourth-warmest September for Illinois (state average temperatures back to 1895), and the warmest September since 1933. Precipitation varied tremendously from north to south across the state.

  • 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.

  • Leaves turning colors

    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 brought mild, dry conditions to Illinois

    Oct 3, 2022 3:00 pm

    Illinoisans experienced mild temperatures in the first half of September, followed by summer-like conditions and then a cooler week to finish off the month, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey. The average state rainfall amount was slightly below normal.

  • September, Warm and Dry across Illinois

    Oct 4, 2007 7:30 pm

    "A uniformly warm, dry September speeded fall harvest but further increased drought conditions in southern and central Illinois. Statewide rainfall was 1.71 inches, 1.48 inches below normal, and the 12th driest September since 1895. Temperatures in Illinois averaged 69.8 degrees, 3.6 degrees above normal, and the 15th warmest September on record," 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.