This winter has been the eighth warmest on record in Illinois. For weather purposes, winter runs December through February. State Climatologist Trent Ford says the average statewide temperature during that time was 33 point seven degrees, nearly four degrees above normal.
“Even though we had that very cold period of time around Christmas way back in December, the warmth and the mild temperatures in January and February sort of outweighed a colder December.”
Ford says because of the mild temps, the emergence of perennials is about two to three weeks ahead of schedule. Average statewide precipitation was about three quarters of an inch above normal, making this winter the 34th wettest on record in Illinois.
***Courtesy of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services***
