CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - This winter has been the third warmest on record for Illinois, with the average temperature being 5 degrees above normal. Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel says the average temperature from December through February was 34.2 degrees.
The warmest winter on record was during 1931-1932, at 37.1 degrees. Tying for second warmest were the winters of 1997-1998 and 2001-2002 at 34.5 degrees. This winter in Illinois also had few days with below zero temperatures. The coldest readings were -6 at Elizabeth and Galena in the northwest. Precipitation was close to normal, but much of it fell as rain.Snowfall totals were as much as 75 percent less than normal in northern Illinois and 25 to 50 percent less than normal in central and southern Illinois. Full Story
