Wet May and warm spring rank among
top 10 in Illinois    

[JUNE 4, 2004]  ^"Illinois just had the eighth wettest May and the seventh warmest spring since 1895," says Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey, a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Rainfall during May throughout the state averaged 7.52 inches, 176 percent of normal. Temperatures this spring averaged 54.8 degrees, 2.7 degrees above normal.

"Seesawing from the 20th wettest March to the 10th driest April to this wet May contributed to 2004 being the 22nd wettest spring since 1895," says Angel. Overall, March-May precipitation averaged 13.87 inches, 123 percent of normal.

"May temperatures averaged 65.5 degrees statewide, 2.7 degrees above normal, the 19th warmest May since 1895," says Angel. Temperature extremes during May ranged from 24 degrees at Streamwood on May 3 to 95 degrees at Kaskaskia on May 8.

The National Weather Service calls for equal chances of above-normal, below-normal and normal precipitation, with a slightly increased chance of warmer-than-normal temperatures this summer in southeastern Illinois.

"Historically, wet, warm springs do not necessarily mean wet or warm summers. Still, this abundant soil moisture should provide a buffer against any dry spells this summer. We’ll just have to wait and see what records, if any, we’ll be setting this summer," concludes Angel.

[Illinois State Water Survey news release]