September was dry and warm in Illinois

[October 10, 2013]  CHAMPAIGN -- Dry conditions were widespread across Illinois in September, and temperatures were above average for the first time in several months, according to Jim Angel, state climatologist at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

Statewide precipitation for the month was 1.87 inches, which is 1.39 inches below average and the 14th-driest September on record. Only a few locations received 3 or more inches in Illinois, including the Chicago area, far western Illinois and the southeast corner of the state. Several areas received less than an inch of precipitation. Overall, the precipitation departure for September was 57 percent of average.

This was the sixth-driest July-September on record for Illinois, with 6.64 inches, which is 4.24 inches below average. Ironically, this came just after the wettest January-June on record for the state, with 28.96 inches, which is 9.13 inches above average.

This is the third month in a row with below-average precipitation. In July, Illinois received 3.14 inches, 0.91 inches below average. In August, the state received 1.63 inches, 1.37 inches below average.

The statewide temperature for Illinois in September was 68.8 degrees, 2.9 degrees above average. It was warm but not record-setting. The warmest September on record was 1925, with 72.7 degrees.

"The first part of October was very summer-like, with temperatures over 9 degrees above average and widespread rains that averaged 1.2 inches," said Angel, "before the cold front on Sunday finally brought temperatures more in line with October."

[Text from file received from the Illinois State Water Survey] 

The Illinois State Water Survey at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a division of the Prairie Research Institute, is the primary agency in Illinois concerned with water and atmospheric resources.