Illinois experienced wide temperature swings in November, with colder-than-normal temperatures canceling out the warmer-than normal days. By month’s end, November was slightly cooler than average in Illinois, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel at the Illinois State Water Survey, part of the Prairie Research Institute at Illinois.
The statewide average temperature for November was 41.7 degrees, 0.8 degrees below normal. Northern Illinois experienced 1 to 2 degrees below normal, while the area around St. Louis was 1 to 2 degrees above normal.
The warmest reading in the state was 79 degrees at Belleville on Nov. 2. The coldest reading was 11 degrees at Stockton on Nov. 24.
The statewide average precipitation was 2.13 inches, 1.34 inches below normal. The largest precipitation amount was 5.60 inches at Paxton. Some snow was reported in northern and central Illinois. The largest snowfall amount was 1.5 inches at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
For the traditional fall months of September through November, the statewide average temperature was 56.2 degrees, 1.8 degrees above normal and the 15th-warmest fall on record.
The statewide average precipitation for fall was 7.72 inches, which is 2.22 inches below normal.
Dry conditions near St. Louis have resulted in the U.S. Drought Monitor calling for moderate to severe drought from Randolph to Calhoun counties.
