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Water Survey

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  • snow falling on person under umbrella

    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.

  • Steve Wilson to serve on program advisory committee for National Environmental Health Association

    Nov 30, 2017 2:45 pm

    The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), a professional society for environmental health practitioners with thousands of members nationwide, has invited Illinois State Water Survey groundwater hydrologist Steve Wilson to participate in its Program Advisory Committee, which helps set policy and direction for NEHA programs.

  • 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.

  • sun shining on frosted shrubs

    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.

  • snowdrop flowers in snowing earth

    State Climatologist reports that a typical February ends an otherwise atypical winter

    Mar 2, 2020 4:45 pm

    February was slightly warmer and wetter than average across Illinois, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • State Climatologist: July brought its typical calamity in Illinois

    Aug 1, 2022 4:00 pm

    Rain inundated the south-central and northern parts of Illinois in July, causing flooding, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

  • 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.

  • State Climatologist digs up historical weather records for Illinois

    May 23, 2012 7:00 pm

    The oldest official weather records ever found in Illinois, dating back to 1820, reveal temperature data that showed remarkable accuracy given the technology of the day, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey.

  • State Climatologist describes December's cold snap and warm up

    Jan 3, 2023 8:15 am

    The extreme temperatures and wind chill values that Illinoisans experienced before the holidays are very unusual for late December, only occurring in northern and central Illinois once every 20 to 25 years. In the last week of the month, high temperatures ranged from the low 50s to mid-60s, between 10 and 25 degrees above normal.

  • 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.

  • State Climatologist: A mild August wraps up summer in Illinois

    Sep 1, 2022 4:15 pm

    Mild temperatures in August this year in Illinois followed a heatwave in May, above average temperatures in June, and a cooler July.

  • 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.

  • Soil Temperatures Warmer than Normal in Mid-October

    Oct 17, 2016 4:45 pm

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Soil temperatures in Illinois were 1 to 2 degrees above normal in mid-October, 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 temperatures this winter in Illinois were warmer than normal

    Mar 1, 2018 3:15 pm

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Soil Temperatures Increased in Illinois in the First Half of March

    Mar 17, 2015 3:15 pm

    Soil temperatures at 4 inches under bare soil have increased 49 percent during the first half of March, 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 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.

  • Soil Temperatures Higher than Normal in Mid-September

    Sep 16, 2016 4:00 pm

    Soil temperatures in Illinois are averaging 3 to 5 degrees above the long-term averages, 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 temperatures cooler in May but are rising

    May 18, 2021 10:30 am

    Cooler weather led to a decline in soil temperatures in the first half of May, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey.

  • Soil Temperatures Continue to Decline in November

    Nov 19, 2018 10:00 am

    Soil temperatures have fallen significantly throughout the state in November, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

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    Soil temperatures are warming in mid-April

    Apr 19, 2019 9:15 am

    Soil temperatures are rising throughout Illinois in mid-April, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey. Soil temperatures in Illinois were near normal the first half of the month with an average of 50° at depths of 4 inches under bare soil, 1° above the long-term average.   

  • Soil temperatures are rising across Illinois

    May 17, 2017 4:00 pm

    Soil temperatures at depths of 4 inches under sod averaged 67.5 degrees in Illinois on May 15, 5 degrees higher than the long-term average. Daily highs were in the 60s and 70s for most of the state.

  • A grass field at dawn

    Soil temperatures are near normal in mid-August

    Aug 18, 2020 9:15 am

    Soil temperatures have returned to near normal after a cool start in August, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey.

  • Soil temperatures and moisture levels declining in early March

    Mar 16, 2018 9:00 am

  • Soil temperatures across Illinois are rising

    May 18, 2018 8:15 am

  • 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.

  • Soils were drying in mid-August

    Aug 20, 2018 9:00 am

    Drier weather this month has caused declining soil moisture, especially in central Illinois, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • Soils Warmer than Average across Illinois this Winter

    Feb 22, 2016 10:30 pm

    Soil temperatures in Illinois have been above normal for most of the winter, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

  • Soils Warmer and Drier across Illinois in Mid-June

    Jun 17, 2016 7:45 pm

    Warmer weather has led to warmer and drier soils in Illinois, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

  • corn being harvested

    Soils remain warm in mid-November

    Nov 17, 2020 9:15 am

    November soil temperatures in Illinois are warmer than normal, with the average temperature at 4 inches under bare soil reaching 48 degrees on Nov. 15, 7 degrees warmer than the long-term average. 

  • Soils Remain Below Freezing at the Beginning of March

    Mar 7, 2014 4:45 pm

    Soil temperatures remained below freezing across most of Illinois during the first five days of March, Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program Manager at the Prairie Research Institute, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • Soils in Illinois are cool and wet in mid-April

    Apr 19, 2022 1:15 pm

    Illinois soils remain cooler and wetter than normal in mid-April, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey.

  • ""

    Soils cooler in October

    Oct 18, 2019 7:30 am

    Soil temperatures have fallen across the state as October brought cooler weather, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey.

    Soil temperatures at 4 inches under sod averaged 57 degrees on Oct. 16, 2 degrees below the long-term average for mid-October. Temperatures have been steadily falling throughout the month, dropping 18 degrees since Oct. 1. Daily highs have ranged from the mid 50s to low 60s.

  • Soils cool across Illinois

    Oct 16, 2018 4:30 pm

    Cooler weather has caused soil temperatures to decrease across the state, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • Soil moisture levels rose in mid-May

    Soils are wetter in Illinois from mid-May showers

    May 19, 2020 2:30 pm

    Recent rains have caused soil moisture levels to rise in most of Illinois, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey.

  • Soils are warm throughout Illinois in mid-April

    Apr 16, 2024 3:45 pm

    Warm weather has continued into April, impacting soil temperatures, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey.

  • ""

    Soils are warming and drying in mid-May

    May 17, 2019 10:00 am

    After a cooling spell last weekend, soil temperatures are once again rising in Illinois, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

  • Corn growing in the field

    Soils are warmer than normal for Illinois in mid-July

    Jul 20, 2020 1:30 pm

    Warmer weather in early July has led to higher than normal soil temperatures in Illinois, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey.

  • Soils are still too warm for safe and effective fall fertilizer application

    Oct 7, 2021 3:30 pm

    Favorable weather has helped push Illinois’ fall harvest progress well ahead of normal. As a result, producers may be considering early application of fall fertilizer following harvest. University of Illinois experts caution that fall nitrogen fertilizer application on soils warmer than 50 degrees can result in loss of effectiveness and potential environmental issues. 

  • Soils are dry with warmer weather in May

    May 18, 2022 10:00 am

    Hotter weather in the first half of May has caused warmer, drier soils across Illinois.

  • Soils are drying out across Illinois in October

    Oct 16, 2020 1:45 pm

    Rainfall was lower than average throughout the state in the first half of October. According to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, Illinois received 1.36 inches from Oct. 1 to 15, 1.08 inches below normal. Combined with a dry September for southern and parts of central Illinois, these conditions have caused soil moisture levels to fall to near the wilting points for most of the state.

  • Soils are drier for most of Illinois in mid-July

    Jul 16, 2021 10:15 am

    Illinois soils have been drying out after the wet weather at the end of June, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey.

  • Soils across most of Illinois are warmer than normal

    Jun 18, 2018 2:30 pm

  • Soils Across Illinois Damp at the End of September

    Sep 23, 2014 3:45 pm

    Soils are damp across the state at the end of September, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, 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.

  • Soil Moisture Levels Slightly above Normal in the Middle of May

    May 15, 2013 2:30 am

     Soil moisture levels are slightly above normal in Illinois for the middle of May, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program Manager at the Prairie Research Institute, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.