|
 CHAMPAIGN - Soil temperatures in Illinois have been above normal
for most of the winter, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and
Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the
Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute,
University of Illinois.
For the period of December 1 through February 21, soil
temperatures at 4 inches under bare soil averaged 36.7 degrees F
across Illinois, 2.6 degrees above the long-term average and 2.9
degrees higher than last winter.
Soil temperatures this winter have fluctuated with air
temperatures. The highest temperatures were reported in December
with a statewide monthly average of 42.7 degrees or 6.8 degrees
above average. Temperatures averaged 33.4 degrees in January,
only 0.2 degrees above average, but have climbed slightly so far
in February to an average of 35.1 degrees.
Winter soil temperatures have been above average throughout the
state. The highest temperatures have been in southern Illinois
where stations have averaged 40.3 degrees so far this winter,
3.3 degrees above the long-term average. Northern Illinois has
had the coolest soil temperatures with a winter average of 34.4
degrees, still 2.7 degrees above average.
Soil temperatures at depths of 2 inches under bare soil have had
larger fluctuations resulting in a slightly cooler winter
average of 36.1 degrees. Temperatures under sod have been warmer
with averages of 38.4 degrees at 4 inches and 38.6 degrees at 8
inches.
[to top of second column] |
The third week of February saw a rise in both air and soil
temperatures. As air temperatures rose into the 70s, highs ranging
from 67 degrees at 2 inches under bare soil to 52 degrees at 8
inches under sod were recorded.
The Illinois State Water Survey’s WARM Program collects hourly and
daily weather and soil information at 19 stations across the state.
Daily and monthly summaries can be found at the WARM website
http://www.isws.illinois. edu/warm/ and in the Illinois
Water and Climate Summary
http://www.isws.illinois.edu/ warm/climate.asp
[Lisa Sheppard] |
