 The statewide average precipitation was 2.8 inches, 0.4 inches below
normal. A year ago, the March precipitation was 4.2 inches, an inch
above normal, signaling the start of a very wet growing season.
This year, the January to March precipitation total was 5.8 inches,
1.4 inches below normal. After an exceptionally wet fall, the drier
conditions this year have helped soil moisture return to conditions
more typical for this time of year.
The latest National Weather Service outlook for April calls for
an increased chance of above normal temperatures across Illinois and
the Corn Belt. An increased chance of above normal precipitation is
indicated for the western Corn Belt, including western Illinois. The
eastern half of Illinois has an equal chance of above, below and
near normal precipitation.
"March certainly came in like a lion and out like a lamb," Angel
said. "The average statewide temperature on March 1 was 32 degrees
but warmed up to 58 degrees on March 31."
___
The Illinois State Water
Survey at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a
division of 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]
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