March Temperatures: The statewide average temperature for March was 42.3 degrees, 1 degree above normal. Temperatures swung from periods several degrees above normal and several degrees below normal with little time in-between. Several sites reported temperatures reaching into the 80s. The warmest daily report was 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 Precipitation: The statewide precipitation was 3.62 inches, 0.66 inches above normal. The highest monthly total precipitation was Lockport with 7.22 inches. 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, which is 1 to 2 inches below normal. Click on the maps below for a closer view. Continue reading “March in Illinois – Lots of Snow and Rain”