January in Illinois: Wet conditions despite the lack of snow

[February 06, 2013]  CHAMPAIGN -- Snowfall was below average in January, but the statewide precipitation -- including both rain and melted snow -- was 3.9 inches, nearly 2 inches above average, according to Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Precipitation for most of the state was in the 3- to 6-inch range except for some drier areas in central and western Illinois. It was wettest in southeastern Illinois, with several sites receiving over 6 inches of precipitation, including Smithland Lock and Dam on the Ohio River with 9.7 inches.

Snowfall for January was below average and ranged from 6.5 inches in the northwest corner to zero in far southern Illinois.

Even though January finished with below-average snowfall, it was offset with above-average rainfall in many areas. As a result, the U.S. Drought Monitor has reduced the area in drought or abnormally dry conditions since Jan. 1 by 11 percent.

The statewide temperature for January was 28.7 degrees, four degrees above average. It was far short of the warmest January on record, which was in 2006 with 37.9 degrees, followed closely by 1933 with 37.7 degrees.

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