Illinois State Water Survey
Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Illinois State Climatologist Office

Jim Angel, state climatologist

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Welcome

This website provides a wide range of climate data, products, and services on Illinois. We have access to more data stored offline. In addition, we do research in Illinois on past climate events, monitor current conditions, and study possible future climate change.

I am available for public talks, media interviews, and research projects. See the About Us page or our brochure (pdf) for more information.

Jim Angel
jimangel@illinois.edu
(217)-333-0729

C-U Observations

Most Popular Links

Recent News/Events

Updated: October 1, 2008

Gustav and Ike Make 3rd Wettest September

Map of precipitation from first half of September 2008.

Based on preliminary data, the state-wide average precipitation for September was 7.98 inches, making this the third wettest September on record (going back to 1895) for Illinois. The all-time record is 1926 with 9.71 inches while second place goes to 1911 with 9.06 inches. See more on the rains of September.

Chicago (at O'Hare airport) reported 6.64 inches on September 13, setting a new record for the most rain in one calendar day in Chicago's history. The old record was 6.49 inches on August 14, 1987. Chicago climate records date back to 1871.

 

Updated: September 3, 2008

Dry August for Illinois

Based on preliminary numbers, this was the 16th driest August on record for Illinois with 2.3 inches, 1.4 inches below normal. This ends the 8-month streak of above-normal precipitation in Illinois that started in December 2007. The year to date precipitation is 35.1 inches, still 8 inches above normal and the 4th wettest January-August on record. The statewide temperature for August was 71.9 degrees, 1.7 degrees below normal. See the press release for more details.

Posted: August 1, 2008

Wettest January-July on Record for Illinois

This was the wettest January-July on record for Illinois with 32.8 inches, 9.4 inches above normal. State-wide July precipitation was 6.3 inches, 2.5 inches above normal. Every month since December 2007 has had above-normal precipitation. See the press release for more information on the impacts on agriculture.

Updated: June 26, 2008

Heavy Rains and Flooding in Illinois in Spring 2008

Map of Midwestern rainfall in 2008.

Heavy rains in Illinois and across the Midwest have led to considerable problems with flooding, starting in January and continuing through June. While the more severe flooding has occurred in Iowa, several rivers in or along the border of Illinois flooded as well. See more on the flooding and heavy rains of ’08.

 

 

Updated: September 2, 2008

Severe Weather in Illinois in 2008

Small map of tornado reports in the US in 2008.

This year has been much more active in terms of severe weather compared to last year. As of September 1, Illinois has 88 tornado reports compared to only 23 for the entire year of 2007. In addition there have been 408 hail and 663 wind damage reports. See more on the severe weather of 2008.

 

 

Archive

Wettest January-June on record for Illinois

Third wettest January-May on record for Illinois

Third wettest January-April on record for Illinois

Heavy Rain in Southern Illinois Results in Widespread Flooding

Wettest February Ends Third Wettest Winter

Heavy rains and flooding in early January 2008

Heavy Rains in northern Illinois in August 2007