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Illinois sets new tornado record in
May
[JUNE 4, 2003]
"With
preliminary data indicating 95 tornadoes during May 2003, Illinois
has toppled the old May record of 54 tornadoes set in 1995," says
Jim Angel, state climatologist with the
Illinois State Water Survey, a
division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
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The final numbers are
not yet in, but Angel is pretty sure they beat the old record.
"Although a few of the stronger tornadoes caused damage on May 6, 10
and 30, including two deaths in southern Illinois on May 10, most
were small, short-lived tornadoes that caused minimal damage. Last
year there were four tornado-related deaths, but none in 2000 and
2001," says Angel.
May was the 40th
coldest May since 1895, with a statewide average temperature of 60.7
degrees, 2.2 degrees below average. The coldest May was in 1917,
when temperatures averaged 55.9 degrees, 7 degrees below average.
Precipitation in May 2003 also was above average, with a statewide
total of 6.12 inches, 1.86 inches above average (144 percent of
average).
Spring (March-May)
was near average. Temperatures averaged 51.8 degrees (0.3 degrees
below average), and precipitation totaled 11.33 inches (101 percent
of average). "Water Survey measurements indicate soil moisture is in
good shape down to 6 feet. All the spring rainfall, especially in
May, should alleviate the impacts of the dry fall and winter," says
Angel.
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this article]
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May temperatures
ranged from a low of 30 degrees at Mount Carroll on May 3 to a high
of 90 degrees at Normal on May 10. Illinois had 333 growing
degree-days in May, which was 83 percent of average. Plant and pest
development can be indicated by GDDs -- degree-days for which the
threshold temperature (50 degrees in this case) is established for
different types of crops.
"Experts believe there may be another La
Nina in the second half of 2003 as temperatures cool off in the
Pacific Ocean. Warmer, drier conditions tend to occur in Illinois in
July and August during strong La Ninas, but weak ones have little
impact on Illinois during the growing season. Currently, the
National Weather Service is calling for equal chances of above
normal, normal and below normal temperatures and precipitation this
summer. Last May also was cool, but temperatures quickly warmed up
in June, so May is not always a reliable indicator of what summer
will be like," says Angel.
[Illinois
State Water Survey
press release]
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