|
Precipitation was greatest in a wide band from
Quincy to Chicago with amounts between 3 to 6 inches, which is 1
to 3 inches above normal. The driest area was in southeastern
Illinois with only 1 to 2 inches of precipitation, which is 1 to
2 inches below normal.
The statewide average temperature for March was 42.3 degrees, 1
degree above normal. Temperatures swung from periods several
degrees above normal to several degrees below normal with little
time between the highs and lows. Several sites reported
temperatures reaching into the 80s.
The warmest daily report was in Belleville with 86 degrees on
March 21. Chicago Midway reported a high of 82 degrees on March
24. Meanwhile, the coldest temperatures of the month were
experienced in the northwest quarter of the state, including
Altona and Illinois City, with a low of 6 degrees on March 25.
March brought a significant amount of snow in some areas.
Several places received more snow in March than in any other
month this winter. The heaviest amounts were in northeastern
Illinois because of lake-effect snows.
The highest monthly total snowfall was in Waukegan with 16.4
inches. Besides the Chicago area, near to above normal snowfall
occurred in a band from the Quad Cities down the length of the
state.
Snowfall for winter 2016-2017 was well below normal despite the
snowy March. Seasonal totals ranged from 20 to 30 inches in far
northern Illinois to less than 1 inch in far southern Illinois.
Therefore, snowfall departures ranged from 75 percent of normal
in far northern Illinois to less than 25 percent of normal in
southern Illinois. Waukegan reported the most snowfall for the
season with 35.0 inches, of which half fell in March.
[Lisa Sheppard]
 |
 |
