This Winter One of the Wettest on Record

Print

Published on March 27 2019 8:00 am
Last Updated on March 27 2019 8:19 am

 
BY JIM TAYLOR, FARMWEEKNOW.COM 
 
The Illinois State Climatologist’s office is getting a gauge on the March weather numbers.
 
“Even though the month did begin with several reinforcing shots of arctic air where we had temperatures 20 to 30 degrees below normal, for the month we’re sitting at about 2 to 5 degrees below average across the state thus far for the month,” said spokesman Brian Kerschner.
 
On the precipitation side, the office is seeing near to slightly above normal precipitation so far for the month in both the north and south ends of the state.
 
“Regions near the I-72 corridor have seen the most precipitation this month,” Kerschner said. “We are expecting a fairly decent low-pressure system to move through the state this weekend.”
 
And that could add to precipitation totals across the state.
 
“Just looking at the statewide seasonal precipitation for December through February, we averaged 9.67 inches and that’s 2.85 inches above the long-term average,” Kerschner said.
 
That ranks this winter season as the sixth wettest winter season on record in Illinois dating back to 1895-1896.