The wetter and warmer than normal weather continued in Illinois this week. For the period of June 16-22, the state average temperature was 76.8 degrees, 3.6 degrees above normal. Meanwhile the statewide average precipitation was 2.46 inches, 1.55 inches above normal.
Illinois already experienced above normal temperature and precipitation in the first half of June. Combined with this week’s weather, the statewide average temperature for June so far is 74.5 degrees, 3.4 degrees above normal. The statewide average precipitation at this point is 6.35 inches, 3.37 inches above normal.
If you are thinking that we must be closing in on a record, you are correct. Statewide this is already the 10th wettest June on record. The wettest June on record is 1902 with 8.37 inches. Several individual station records will be set as well. For example, Galesburg has already received 11.25 inches this month. This handily beat the old June record of 9.97 inches set in 1974. This is impressive given that their records go back to 1927.
The wettest areas of the state are western Illinois and east-central Illinois. Based on radar estimates and reports from weather observers, monthly totals of 9 inches or more were common in these areas. The wettest spot so far is Warsaw (Hancock County CoCoRaHS observer) which has reported 11.38 inches through today (June 22) with more rain falling after the regular reporting time.
Here are the precipitation and precipitation departure maps for June 1-22, 2010, for Illinois.