As of yesterday, the statewide average rainfall was 4.47 inches. That is already 0.9 inches above normal for the month and the 27th wettest August on record (since 1895). The wettest August on record was 1977 with 6.86 inches. The latest NWS forecast is showing the potential for another inch of rain to fall in the next 7 days (last map). That would put us in the top ten wettest Augusts on record.
The highest rainfall total in the state for August is Waltonville (Jefferson County, in southern Illinois) with 13.43 inches. A CoCoRaHS station just 3 miles away reported 12.94 inches (IL-JF-2).
Here are the rainfall totals through the morning of August 19 (left) and the departure from normal (right). The heaviest amounts have been in southern Illinois with 6 to 10 inches pretty common. Most of the state is well above normal on rainfall except for a spot in western Illinois and several counties in northeast Illinois. Click to enlarge.
Here is the 7-day quantitative precipitation forecast, showing Illinois with potential amounts in the 1 inch range.
