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Cool October follows on heels of
a cool, wet September
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[OCT. 9, 2003]
"September
temperatures across Illinois averaged 63.7 degrees -- 2.5 degrees
below normal and the 15th coolest September since 1895. The lowest
reading was 28 degrees in Mount Carroll on Sept. 29. These cool
temperatures continued into the first five days of October before
warmer weather returned," says Jim Angel, state climatologist with
the Illinois State Water Survey,
a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
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"A surge of cold air on Oct. 2
pushed low temperatures below 32 degrees north of I-70, including
record lows at Springfield (23 degrees), Decatur (25 degrees) and
Rockford (23 degrees) and a tie with the old record at Peoria (27
degrees). On average, fall temperatures first make this plunge
during the first week of October (northern Illinois), second week
(central Illinois) and third week (southern Illinois)," continues
Angel.
With 4.60 inches of rainfall in
September, 144 percent of average, the month ranks as the 26th
wettest September since 1895. Findlay reported 7.01 inches on Sept.
1, the heaviest one-day rainfall total. Sullivan had the highest
monthly rainfall total, 9.10 inches.
"North of I-80, precipitation
remains below average for the past three, six and 12 months,
however. Northwestern Illinois is 9.29 inches below average (74
percent of average), and northeastern Illinois is 7.62 inches below
average (79 percent of average).Those two areas are experiencing the
seventh and 17th driest October-September period since 1895," says
Angel.
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Illinois had severe weather on
only two days in September. Extensive tree damage was reported from
a tornado in Fulton on Sept. 12. A second tornado blew doors and
windows out of a house near Broadwell in Logan County on Sept. 26.
Widespread severe thunderstorms on that date included 2-inch hail at
Camp Point in Adams County and other reports of hail and wind
damage.
The National Weather Service
outlooks for October and fall are neutral: no additional chance of
above or below normal temperatures and precipitation. "Historically,
a wet September leads to an increased likelihood of above average
precipitation during the rest of fall," says Angel.
"Harvest is in full swing. It's also time to take advantage of the
numerous fall festivals, bring in those houseplants and start
putting the garden to bed."
[Illinois
State Water Survey news release]
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