July in Illinois – Cool and Dry

The preliminary numbers are in and this July in Illinois was cool and dry. The statewide average temperature was 73.3 degrees, 2.0 degrees below the 1981-2010 average. It currently ranks as the 19th coolest July on record. Statewide records go back to 1895.

The statewide average precipitation was 2.74 inches, 1.31 inches below the 1981-2010 average. It currently ranks as the 29th driest July on record.

Despite the dry July, the statewide total precipitation for 2013 stands at 31.48 inches at end of July and 7.61 inches above the 1981-2010 average. It is the second wettest January-July. The wettest January-July was set just a few years ago; 2008 with 32.52 inches.

The rainfall in July was unevenly distributed across state. Much of central and northern Illinois were 1 to 3 inches below average while southern Illinois was several inches above average. See maps of accumulated precipitation and departures from average.

Mt. Vernon reported the highest monthly total in the state with 9.42 inches, followed closely by Olney with 9.15 inches. On the dry side, Joliet reported one of the lowest monthly totals with 0.63 inches along with 0.72 inches in Pontiac and 0.77 inches in Kankakee.

The wet spring and cool July have both helped to reduce the impacts of the dry weather so far but conditions will be watched closely in August.

Note: we had some technical difficulties so the maps are through July 30 instead of July 31. There was not much rain on the radar on July 31 so the maps are still fairly representative.