PUBLICATIONS Inside Illinois Vol. 23, No. 1, July 3, 2003

Colder June temperatures could signal a colder, wetter summer

By Illinois State Water Survey

"June is often a harbinger for the rest of the summer in Illinois,” said State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey. “Historical records indicate that July and August are more likely to be colder and wetter than normal statewide if June is colder than normal. We just had the 11th coldest June since 1895." says State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey, a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

"June temperatures averaged 67.9 degrees across Illinois, 4 degrees below normal, compared to the coldest June in 1903, with average temperatures of 65.8 degrees, 6.1 degrees below normal," Angel said.

Based on preliminary data, Streamwood covered the range in temperatures for the state from a low of 34 degrees on June 1 to a high of 97 degrees on June 25. Three other sites also had highs of 97 degrees: Moline on June 24, and Normal and Grand Tower on June 26.

June precipitation averaged 4.31 inches, 0.23 inches above normal (106 percent of normal). Soil moisture is still in good shape for crops across most of the state. In fact, southern Illinois has had to deal with excessive soil moisture due to above normal rainfall in April, May and June.

"The only areas with significantly below normal precipitation were in northwestern and northeastern Illinois with 67 and 52 percent of normal, respectively. However, spring rainfall has minimized the impacts of a dry June on crops there so far," Angel said.

Severe weather – defined as tornadoes, hail or damaging winds – occurred on June 10, 11, 14, 18, 25, 28 and 29. Despite 13 reported tornadoes (three on June 10 in St. Clair, DeKalb and Marion Counties; five on June 11 in Sangamon and Logan Counties; and five others on June 14 in Carroll and Stephenson Counties), no deaths or serious injuries were reported.

Other than planting delays in southern Illinois, the growing season is off to a good start. Illinois had 541 growing degree-days (GDDs) in June, 82 percent of average.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is calling for an increased likelihood of a cool, wet July. "With both the historical analysis and the NWS forecast in agreement, the only area of concern at this point is southern Illinois where already late crops may be slow to develop," Angel said.

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