2017 was 6th warmest year in Illinois history

Posted on January 5, 2018
thermostat
While the start of 2018 has been punctuated by record cold temperatures, 2017 ended up being the sixth warmest year on record in Illinois. (Photo by midnightcomm/flickr)

By WJBC Staff

SPRINGFIELD – Last year was one for the record books according to the state’s climatologist. 2017 shaped up to be the sixth warmest year on record in Illinois.

“That’s because the statewide average temperature was 54.3 degrees, which is about two degrees above normal so very much on the warm wide even though we’ve had a very cold ending to it with the last week or so of cold temperatures,” state climatologist Jim Angel said.

Angel added those temps did vary quite a bit with February well above average and August pretty cool.

Statewide precipitation last year came in more than two inches below normal. Angel said Illinois saw a very wet spring but now there are a few spots with drought conditions.

“We’ve had some dry areas develop, especially around the St. Louis area and part of Central Illinois and parts of southeastern Illinois.”

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