No surprise: June rainfall totals 4.8 inches over average

[July 07, 2009]  CHAMPAIGN -- Statewide, June precipitation in Illinois was 5.3 inches, 1.2 inches above normal and the 25th-wettest June on record. The total precipitation for the first half of 2009 was 24.2 inches, 4.8 inches above normal and the 14th-wettest January-June on record for the state, according to Jim Angel, state climatologist, of the Illinois State Water Survey.

The wettest site in June was Belvidere, near Rockford, with 8.75 inches of rain. Palestine, Oregon, Farmer City and Tuscola all reported rainfall totals in excess of 8 inches (8.2, 8.3, 8.4 and 8.6 inches, respectively).

The statewide average temperature for June was 72.6 degrees, 0.7 degrees above normal. However, the first half of June was significantly cooler (2.6 degrees below normal) than the second half (4.1 degrees above normal).

The outlook for July from the National Weather Service calls for an increased chance of below-normal temperatures across the northern two-thirds of Illinois and an increased chance of above-normal precipitation across much of Illinois. The outlook for July-September shows an increased chance of below-normal temperatures along with near-normal precipitation.

The Illinois State Water Survey at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, under the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability, is the primary agency in Illinois concerned with water and atmospheric resources.

[Text from file received from the Illinois State Water Survey]