State climate report details cool and wet March

Posted on March 30, 2018
rain
Precipitation totals varied across Illinois during March while temperatures were below normal. (Photo courtesy Pixabay)

By WJBC Staff

SPRINGFIELD – March is wrapping up as a cool and wet month.

State Climatologist Jim Angel said preliminary figures show the average statewide precipitation came in at 3.6 inches. That’s seven-tenths of an inch above normal, but totals varied around the state.

“The heaviest precipitation was in the southern half of the state, roughly south of Interstate 72,” Angel said. “Monthly totals in those areas range from four to eight inches, while monthly totals north of Interstate 72 range from four inches down to less than two inches near Chicago.”

Angel said most of the precipitation was in the form of rain, but winter did visit some parts of the state.

“The outstanding recent weather event was the winter storm last weekend that produced a narrow band of heavy snow from the Quad Cities to Champaign,” Angel said.

Preliminary figures show the average statewide temperature in March was 38.3 degrees, which is three degrees below normal.

The latest outlook for April calls for warmer and wetter conditions in Southern Illinois and equal chances of above or below normal conditions for the rest of the state.

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