January 2011 – Illinois State Climatologist

According to information at the National Climatic Data Center, here are the record 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day snowfall totals by county. These are based on data through December 2006. At most locations, snowfall is only measured once a day and many snow storms can last more than one day. Therefore, the 2- and 3-day snowfalls may be more accurate in identifying the big snow events.

Illinois

Record 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day Snowfall for Annual for stations sorted by county.

County name	Station name	1-Day Snowfall	2-Day Snowfall	3-Day Snowfall	NYRS
ADAMS	GOLDEN	12.5	13.0	15.0	93
ADAMS	PAYSON	10.0	12.0	12.0	52
ADAMS	QUINCY	12.7	16.0	16.5	77
ADAMS	QUINCY DAM 21	10.0	13.0	13.0	65
ADAMS	QUINCY FAA AIRPORT	10.9	10.9	10.9	53
ADAMS	QUINCY MEMORIAL BRIDGE	9.5	15.5	15.5	73
ALEXANDER	CAIRO 3 N	12.8	12.8	13.8	54
BOND	GREENVILLE 2 NE	14.0	16.5	16.5	111
BROWN	MOUNT STERLING	11.2	14.0	18.0	65
BUREAU	TISKILWA 2 E	15.0	17.3	19.3	94
BUREAU	WALNUT	18.0	21.0	22.0	113
CALHOUN	HARDIN	12.0	12.0	12.0	27
CARROLL	MOUNT CARROLL	12.5	18.0	18.3	112
CASS	BEARDSTOWN	12.0	13.0	13.8	90
CASS	VIRGINIA	12.0	15.1	16.0	44
CHAMPAIGN	RANTOUL	16.0	20.0	20.0	83
CHAMPAIGN	URBANA	14.0	14.0	14.0	105
CHRISTIAN	KINCAID	10.3	12.0	13.5	32
CHRISTIAN	MORRISONVILLE	9.0	10.0	10.0	29
CHRISTIAN	MORRISONVILLE 4 SE	10.0	10.7	10.7	75
CHRISTIAN	PANA 3 E	11.1	14.6	17.8	109
CHRISTIAN	TAYLORVILLE	11.0	11.1	11.1	38
CLARK	CASEY	12.5	15.0	15.0	92
CLARK	MARSHALL	10.0	12.0	12.0	48
CLAY	CLAY CITY 6 SSE	9.0	10.0	10.0	30
CLAY	FLORA 5 NW	12.0	15.0	15.0	113
CLINTON	CENTRALIA	19.7	23.7	23.7	69
COLES	CHARLESTON	12.0	13.0	18.0	110
COLES	MATTOON	11.0	13.0	14.0	73
COOK	BARRINGTON 3 SW	16.0	23.0	24.0	43
COOK	CHICAGO BOTANICAL GARDEN	12.0	12.5	12.5	26
COOK	CHICAGO MIDWAY AP 3 SW	17.6	22.1	22.1	79
COOK	CHICAGO OHARE WSO AP	13.4	13.4	13.4	49
COOK	PARK FOREST	14.0	23.0	23.0	55
CRAWFORD	HUTSONVILLE POWER PLANT	8.0	8.0	10.5	61
CRAWFORD	PALESTINE 2 W	12.5	14.0	14.0	114
CUMBERLAND	GREENUP	13.0	16.0	16.0	62
DE WITT	CLINTON 1 SSW	14.0	16.0	16.0	97
DE WITT	FARMER CITY	8.0	9.0	13.0	41
DEKALB	DE KALB	15.6	19.1	19.1	41
DEKALB	SYCAMORE	12.0	14.1	18.0	73
DOUGLAS	TUSCOLA	15.0	16.0	17.5	114
DUPAGE	WHEATON 3 SE	14.0	16.4	16.4	78
EDGAR	PARIS WATERWORKS	17.0	20.0	21.5	111
EDWARDS	ALBION	14.0	14.0	14.0	89
EFFINGHAM	EFFINGHAM	14.5	16.5	16.5	103
FAYETTE	VANDALIA	12.0	12.0	12.0	61
FORD	GIBSON CITY 1 E	10.0	10.5	10.7	72
FORD	PIPER CITY	9.0	12.7	12.7	46
FORD	ROBERTS 3 N	10.0	10.9	10.9	21
FRANKLIN	BENTON 2 N	11.0	13.0	15.0	47
FULTON	ASTORIA	18.0	18.0	18.0	34
FULTON	AVON 5 NE	12.0	16.5	17.0	57
FULTON	CANTON 1 ESE	10.0	12.0	13.0	65
GALLATIN	SHAWNEETOWN OLD TOWN	9.0	12.8	12.8	81
GREENE	GREENFIELD	8.3	8.3	8.5	30
GREENE	WHITE HALL 1 E	14.0	14.5	14.5	111
GRUNDY	CHANNAHON DRESDEN ISLAND	17.0	18.0	18.5	62
GRUNDY	MORRIS	10.0	13.0	13.5	60
GRUNDY	MORRIS 1 NW	12.0	15.0	16.0	72
HAMILTON	MCLEANSBORO 2 ENE	11.0	12.0	12.0	110
HANCOCK	BENTLEY	11.0	12.0	12.0	59
HANCOCK	LA HARPE	14.0	15.0	17.0	112
HARDIN	ELIZABETHTOWN 1 NW	8.5	9.8	10.0	26
HARDIN	ROSICLARE 5 NW	9.8	13.6	13.6	38
HENDERSON	GLADSTONE DAM 18	9.0	14.0	15.0	68
HENRY	GALVA	13.0	18.0	19.0	113
HENRY	GENESEO	16.0	16.6	16.6	97
HENRY	KEWANEE 1 E	15.0	15.0	15.0	66
IROQUOIS	WATSEKA 2 NW	16.0	16.0	16.0	110
JACKSON	CARBONDALE SEWAGE PLANT	10.0	13.0	13.1	105
JACKSON	GRAND TOWER 2 N	12.0	12.5	15.0	67
JACKSON	MAKANDA 1 NW	8.1	8.5	8.9	26
JASPER	NEWTON 2 NE	10.7	11.1	11.1	84
JASPER	STE MARIE	10.0	10.5	10.5	60
JEFFERSON	MT VERNON 3 NE	14.0	14.0	14.0	112
JERSEY	GRAFTON	14.0	14.0	14.0	90
JERSEY	JERSEYVILLE 2 SW	12.0	12.0	13.0	66
JO DAVIESS	GALENA	14.5	19.0	19.0	88
JO DAVIESS	STOCKTON 3 NNE	12.0	12.0	13.0	63
JOHNSON	NEW BURNSIDE	13.5	16.3	16.7	70
KANE	AURORA	15.0	18.0	18.0	112
KANE	ELGIN	16.5	21.0	22.0	102
KANKAKEE	KANKAKEE 3 SW	18.5	19.0	19.0	57
KANKAKEE	KANKAKEE METRO WASTWTR	13.0	16.0	17.0	36
KNOX	GALESBURG	11.0	16.0	16.0	96
LA SALLE	LA SALLE PERU	12.9	13.3	13.5	54
LA SALLE	MARSEILLES LOCK	15.0	16.0	17.0	66
LA SALLE	OTTAWA 4 SW	12.0	16.0	16.3	115
LA SALLE	PERU	11.0	18.0	18.0	44
LA SALLE	UTICA STARVED ROCK DAM	17.0	18.5	18.5	62
LAKE	ANTIOCH	19.0	21.0	21.0	88
LAKE	LAKE VILLA 2 NE	17.3	17.6	17.9	21
LAKE	WAUKEGAN	14.0	14.8	15.3	54
LAWRENCE	LAWRENCEVILLE	12.0	12.0	12.0	41
LAWRENCE	LAWRENCEVILLE 3 WSW	9.2	11.0	11.0	25
LEE	DIXON 1 NW	14.0	19.0	20.2	114
LEE	PAW PAW 1 E	14.0	20.0	20.0	95
LIVINGSTON	PONTIAC	16.0	18.0	18.0	104
LIVINGSTON	STREATOR 3 SE	18.0	18.0	18.0	103
LOGAN	LINCOLN	13.0	14.6	14.6	101
LOGAN	MOUNT PULASKI	13.0	14.0	14.0	78
MACON	DECATUR	13.5	19.0	19.0	113
MACOUPIN	CARLINVILLE	14.0	14.5	14.5	110
MACOUPIN	MEDORA	14.0	14.5	14.5	62
MACOUPIN	MOUNT OLIVE 1 E	12.5	14.0	16.0	66
MACOUPIN	VIRDEN	11.0	14.0	15.0	66
MADISON	ALTON MELVIN PRICE L&D	13.0	14.0	14.0	56
MADISON	EDWARDSVILLE 2 W	15.0	16.9	16.9	94
MARION	SALEM	13.5	13.5	13.5	92
MARSHALL	LACON 1 N	12.0	12.8	14.8	51
MASON	HAVANA	12.0	12.3	13.0	74
MASON	HAVANA 4 NNE	14.0	16.0	17.0	83
MASON	MASON CITY 1 W	8.0	11.0	11.0	50
MASSAC	BROOKPORT DAM 52	13.0	13.0	13.0	77
MCDONOUGH	MACOMB	12.0	13.0	14.0	104
MCHENRY	MARENGO	12.0	14.0	16.0	114
MCHENRY	MC HENRY	14.0	17.8	17.8	33
MCLEAN	BLOOMINGTON NORMAL	20.0	21.0	21.0	85
MCLEAN	BLOOMINGTON WATERWORKS	9.0	12.0	12.0	58
MCLEAN	CHENOA	12.0	13.0	13.5	60
MCLEAN	NORMAL	12.0	14.5	15.5	30
MENARD	PETERSBURG 2 SW	6.9	11.2	11.2	19
MENARD	PETERSBURG 3 SSW	8.0	12.0	12.0	52
MERCER	ALEDO	14.0	14.0	14.0	107
MERCER	KEITHSBURG	10.0	13.0	15.0	78
MERCER	NEW BOSTON DAM 17	12.0	15.0	16.0	60
MONROE	WATERLOO	15.0	15.0	15.0	94
MONTGOMERY	HILLSBORO	14.0	18.0	19.0	107
MORGAN	JACKSONVILLE 2 E	12.0	14.0	15.0	112
OGLE	ROCHELLE 6 NW	11.1	13.0	15.6	55
PEORIA	CHILLICOTHE	11.5	12.0	13.0	66
PEORIA	PEORIA	12.2	12.5	13.7	44
PEORIA	PEORIA WSO AIRPORT	8.1	11.0	12.0	74
PEORIA	PRINCEVILLE	15.0	17.0	17.0	80
PERRY	DU QUOIN 4 SE	14.0	16.0	22.0	113
PERRY	PINCKNEYVILLE 2 N	7.0	9.5	9.5	19
PIATT	MONTICELLO	8.0	9.0	9.0	28
PIATT	MONTICELLO NO 2	12.0	18.0	22.0	40
PIKE	BARRY WATERWORKS	11.0	12.0	12.0	36
PIKE	GRIGGSVILLE	15.0	15.0	15.0	106
PIKE	PLEASANT HILL	8.0	9.5	9.5	36
POPE	DIXON SPRINGS AGR CENTER	10.5	13.5	13.5	34
POPE	GOLCONDA RIVER	9.0	10.8	11.5	81
PULASKI	GRAND CHAIN DAM 53	10.0	14.5	14.5	36
RANDOLPH	CHESTER	13.2	15.5	15.5	64
RANDOLPH	PRAIRIE DUROCHER	15.0	15.0	15.0	45
RANDOLPH	RED BUD 5 SE	20.0	20.0	20.0	59
RANDOLPH	SPARTA 1 W	12.0	12.0	13.0	114
RICHLAND	OLNEY 2 S	12.0	15.0	15.0	112
ROCK ISLAND	ILLINOIS CITY DAM 16	12.0	12.0	14.0	64
ROCK ISLAND	MOLINE WSO AP	14.8	17.1	18.4	58
SALINE	HARRISBURG	15.0	15.0	15.0	104
SANGAMON	SPRINGFIELD WSO AP	17.0	17.4	17.4	59
SCHUYLER	RUSHVILLE	14.0	16.0	16.0	112
SCOTT	BLUFFS	8.0	10.0	11.0	47
SHELBY	WINDSOR	14.0	14.0	16.5	103
ST. CLAIR	BELLEVILLE SCOTT AFB	14.8	14.8	14.8	59
ST. CLAIR	CAHOKIA	11.0	12.0	15.0	36
ST. CLAIR	EAST ST LOUIS	14.0	15.5	15.5	32
STARK	BRADFORD 1 S	9.2	14.3	14.3	27
STARK	TOULON	10.0	11.2	11.2	40
STEPHENSON	FREEPORT	14.0	16.0	18.0	66
STEPHENSON	FREEPORT WASTE WTR PLT	9.5	13.3	15.3	59
TAZEWELL	MACKINAW	11.0	13.5	15.5	66
UNION	ANNA 2 NNE	20.0	20.0	20.0	110
VERMILION	DANVILLE	14.0	16.2	16.9	106
VERMILION	DANVILLE SEWAGE PLANT	11.0	17.5	17.5	59
VERMILION	HOOPESTON 1 NE	12.3	13.0	13.0	105
VERMILION	SIDELL 5 NW	11.0	17.0	17.0	67
WABASH	MOUNT CARMEL	14.0	14.0	15.0	72
WABASH	MOUNT CARMEL 3 N	14.0	14.0	14.0	70
WARREN	MONMOUTH	15.0	17.4	17.4	114
WASHINGTON	NASHVILLE 3 NW	14.0	17.3	17.3	107
WAYNE	FAIRFIELD RADIO WFIW	12.0	12.0	12.0	111
WAYNE	WAYNE CITY 1 N	8.2	10.0	10.0	41
WHITE	CARMI 6 NW	10.2	10.2	11.3	79
WHITESIDE	FULTON L&D #13	14.5	14.5	14.5	61
WHITESIDE	MORRISON	13.5	15.0	17.0	111
WILL	JOLIET	10.5	12.0	12.0	34
WILL	JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM	12.0	12.0	12.0	55
WILL	PEOTONE	14.0	19.0	19.7	67
WILLIAMSON	MARION 4 NNE	17.5	20.7	20.7	57
WINNEBAGO	ROCKFORD WSO AP	10.6	11.5	12.3	55
WOODFORD	MINONK	14.0	15.0	15.5	112

Whether or Not snow fell on each day.
All snowfall amounts are in inches.
NYRS = Number of Years with non-missing data.
NA = Not Applicable, or insufficient data to compute.
* = value > 0 but less than units resolution.

Link:
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ussc/USSCAppController?action=station_select_countysf&state=11

Press release on disaster declaration

On January 26, 2011, the USDA granted the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s request for federal disaster assistance for southern Illinois farmers who suffered crop losses caused by drought in 2010. The 16 counties are for the most part south of Interstate 64. The full press release can be seen here.

What happened

Rainfall amounts in parts of southern Illinois were much below normal from May all the way through October. However, the pattern and sequence of rain events varied from month to month and place to place. Therefore it’s hard to make a general statement about all the counties in the declared region. For example, Cairo IL received 28.6″ of rain from April to September (over 6 inches above normal) while Fairfield received only 17.1 inches (over 6 inches below normal).
Two contributing factors to crop losses are the regions shallow soils that hold less water and temperatures that were about 3 degrees above normal.
Here are two maps that show the percent of normal precipitation for the period of April-June 2010 and July-September 2010. As a rule of thumb, any 3-month rainfall totals less than 70% of normal is cause for concern. Click maps to enlarge.