[Edited on October 26 to reflect update] Based on data through October 25, the statewide average temperature for Illinois in October is 60.7 degrees. That is 6.3 degrees above normal and the fourth warmest October on record. Temperatures for the rest of October are expected to be 3 to 5 degrees above normal. Therefore, this October could slip in the polls. Here are the top ten warmest Octobers
- 1963 with 63.6°F
- 1947 with 62.2°F
- 1971 with 61.3°F
- 2016 with 60.7°F
- 1900 with 60.6°F
- 1956 with 60.2°F
- 2007 with 59.9°F
- 1897 with 59.7°F
- 1950 with 59.3°F
- 1920 with 59.2°F
Here are the U.S. temperature departures for October so far . Illinois and the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. are experiencing above-normal temperatures (shown in various shades of pumpkin spice, appropriately enough). Speaking of pumpkins, the harvest for this year looks much better than last year.
The statewide average precipitation is 1.9 inches, which is 86 percent of normal. Some areas have been wetter than others, including a stretch on either side of Interstate 70 with amounts of 3 to 4 inches as well as areas around Peoria and Chicago (see map below).
