January in Illinois was colder and drier than normal without much snow.
Precipitation
The statewide average precipitation (rain and water content of snow) was only 1.31 inches, 0.76 inches below normal. The largest precipitation total for the month was 4.07 inches at Rosiclare (Hardin County).
From the viewpoint of climate, January is one of our driest months of the year with an average of only two inches of precipitation. However, we don’t notice it because most of our precipitation falls as snow. It just seems like a lot until you melt it.
Most of the state received 1 to 1.5 inches of precipitation (figure below, left panel) with drier patches in northern and western Illinois, and much of southern Illinois. Overall, most of the state was within an inch of normal (right panel). Click to enlarge.
