Illinois State Water Survey - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
INRS State Scientific Surveys
State Climatologist Office for Illinois
Near Record Wet October in Illinois
Updated: November 4, 2009
Cold, Wet October
The state-wide precipitation for October was 8.90 inches. This is 6.0 inches above normal. Based on preliminary data, this is the second wettest October on record. The wettest October was 1941 with 9.23 inches.
Rainfall was heaviest in southern Illinois with many places reporting 8 to 12 inches for the month. A few standout reports were recording record-setting amounts of 13.98 inches at Jerseyville, 13.63 inches at Mt. Olive, and 13.31 inches at Riverton. Decatur and Bloomington/Normal set their all-time records with 10.09 and 10.18 inches respectively.
While not record setting, the following locations reported an exceptionally wet October. Rockford reported their fifth wettest October on record with 5.94 inches, while Chicago reported their ninth wettest with 6.04 inches. Champaign, Peoria, and Springfield reported their second wettest October on record with 8.79, 7.95, and 11.32 inches, respectively. Carbondale reported its third wettest with 10.01 inches.
October was a gloomy month, especially in northern Illinois. Chicago reported two sunny days, and Rockford only one. Downstate was a little better with eight sunny days reported in Peoria and Champaign, nine in Springfield, and 14 in Carbondale.
Statewide temperatures for October have been 4.8 degrees below normal, making this the seventh coldest October (based on records going back to 1895).
Below are maps of the precipitation as well as tables with the October rainfall rankings and reports of individual stations.
| Rank | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9.23 | 1941 |
| 2 | 8.90 | 2009 |
| 3 | 6.87 | 1919 |
| 4 | 6.04 | 2001 |
| 5 | 5.96 | 1991 |
| 6 | 5.90 | 1969 |
| 7 | 5.14 | 1954 |
| 8 | 5.05 | 1967 |
| 9 | 5.04 | 1949 |
| 10 | 4.91 | 2004 |
Radar-estimated precipitation for October from the NWS. Note the large areas of red, which means at least 5 inches of rain. The heaviest amounts of over 10 inches were in southeastern Illinois, especially around St. Louis.
State: Illinois Climate Division: 1
From 10/01/2009 To 10/31/2009
Station Percent Percent
ID Precipitation Avail <--- Temperature ----> Avail
Number Name Obs Dev Data High Low Mean Dev Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110072 ALEDO 5.55 2.70 87 55.0 39.0 47.0 -6.6 87
110146 AMBOY 5.94 3.12 97 na na na na 00
110211 APPLE_RIVER_CANYON_ST_PK 6.56 3.85 48 na na na na 00
112745 ELIZABETH 7.73 4.99 100 54.6 37.7 46.2 -4.5 100
113262 FREEPORT_WASTE_WTR_PL 5.98 3.24 100 54.6 38.2 46.4 -4.3 100
113312 GALENA 6.11 3.42 58 na na na na 00
114710 KEWANEE_1_E 6.07 3.19 100 55.2 38.9 47.0 -5.8 100
115751 MOLINE_WSO_AP 5.89 3.06 100 56.4 40.8 48.6 -4.2 100
115901 MOUNT_CARROLL 7.23 4.38 97 55.9 39.1 47.5 -3.5 97
116490 OREGON_3_SW 5.72 2.92 52 na na na na 00
116661 PAW_PAW_2_NW 4.90 2.11 100 54.2 37.5 45.9 -6.0 100
117354 ROCHELLE 5.89 3.12 100 54.6 38.8 46.7 -4.6 100
117382 ROCKFORD_AIRPORT 5.88 3.17 100 54.6 39.8 47.2 -3.7 100
117470 ROSCOE_2_SE 6.42 3.77 100 na na na na 00
118254 STEWARD_3S 6.02 3.24 100 na na na na 00
State: Illinois Climate Division: 2
From 10/01/2009 To 10/31/2009
Station Percent Percent
ID Precipitation Avail <--- Temperature ----> Avail
Number Name Obs Dev Data High Low Mean Dev Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110442 BARRINGTON_3SW 6.21 3.49 97 53.5 40.2 46.8 -4.9 97
110583 BELVIDERE 6.62 3.91 100 na na na na 00
111420 CHANNAHON_DRESDEN_ISLAND 7.19 4.27 100 57.0 41.0 49.0 -3.7 100
111497 CHICAGO_BOTANICAL_GARDEN 7.42 4.64 100 56.9 40.7 48.8 -3.2 100
111549 CHICAGO_OHARE_AP 5.96 3.19 100 55.2 42.5 48.9 -3.3 100
111577 CHICAGO_MIDWAY_AP_3SW 7.69 4.81 100 56.1 42.5 49.3 -3.2 100
112223 DE_KALB 6.32 3.54 94 54.6 39.7 47.1 -4.4 94
112510 EARLVILLE_3_S 6.95 4.10 100 na na na na 00
112709 ELBURN 5.39 2.60 100 na na na na 00
112736 ELGIN 5.85 3.11 100 55.4 39.1 47.3 -4.5 100
113392 GENOA_2_SW 6.02 3.27 90 na na na na 00
113490 GLEN_ELLYN_4_S 7.12 4.33 100 na na na na 00
113902 HARVARD 6.43 3.76 100 na na na na 00
114530 JOLIET_BRANDON_RD_DAM 7.20 4.30 94 55.9 41.0 48.4 -4.2 94
114816 LA_GRANGE 8.55 5.71 100 na na na na 00
114890 LANSING 8.77 5.80 90 na na na na 00
115313 MANHATTAN_4_SW 8.01 5.06 100 na na na na 00
115326 MARENGO 6.71 4.01 100 54.7 38.5 46.6 -4.4 100
115372 MARSEILLES_LOCK 6.88 3.98 100 55.7 40.7 48.2 -4.6 100
115493 MCHENRY_WG_STRATTON_L&D 6.76 4.08 100 54.3 37.6 45.9 -5.4 100
115562 MENDOTA__2_SE 6.47 3.61 100 na na na na 00
115763 MONEE_RESERVOIR 8.94 5.98 87 na na na na 00
115825 MORRIS_1_NW 7.73 4.81 100 56.6 41.3 49.0 -3.8 100
115961 MUNDELEIN_4_WSW 6.10 3.41 100 54.2 39.2 46.7 -4.8 100
116065 NEWARK_2_SSE 7.02 4.15 100 na na na na 00
116281 OAK_BROOK_2W 7.58 4.78 100 na na na na 00
116526 OTTAWA_5SW 6.73 3.84 100 56.0 41.6 48.8 -3.9 100
116616 PARK_FOREST 8.88 5.93 100 56.3 41.4 48.9 -3.9 100
116753 PERU 6.43 3.55 97 56.2 40.4 48.3 -4.4 97
116849 PLAINFIELD_3_NE 7.26 4.41 97 na na na na 00
116855 PLANO 6.34 3.50 100 na na na na 00
117457 ROMEOVILLE_WFO 8.32 5.45 100 55.8 41.8 48.8 -3.8 100
117586 ST_CHARLES_7_NW 6.01 3.25 100 na na na na 00
117833 SHABBONA_3S 6.67 3.85 94 na na na na 00
118192 SPRING_GROVE 6.97 4.32 100 na na na na 00
119221 WHEATON_3_SE 7.43 4.63 100 53.8 38.1 46.0 -6.4 100
119480 WOODSTOCK_5_NW 6.56 3.88 100 na na na na 00
119827 YORKVILLE_3_SW 7.07 4.22 100 na na na na 00
State: Illinois Climate Division: 3
From 10/01/2009 To 10/31/2009
Station Percent Percent
ID Precipitation Avail <--- Temperature ----> Avail
Number Name Obs Dev Data High Low Mean Dev Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110140 ALTONA 7.82 4.91 100 55.4 38.7 47.0 -6.1 100
110330 AUGUSTA 8.15 5.08 48 na na na na 00
110598 BENTLEY 7.12 4.05 100 58.1 39.7 48.9 -5.9 100
112125 DAHINDA_1_NE 6.54 3.61 100 na na na na 00
113320 GALESBURG 6.31 3.38 100 55.1 39.2 47.1 -6.4 100
114780 KNOXVILLE 5.70 2.77 94 55.6 40.0 47.8 -5.7 97
115038 LEWISTOWN 8.72 5.76 87 na na na na 00
115334 MARIETTA 7.54 4.56 100 na na na na 00
115772 MONMOUTH_4NW 4.64 1.71 94 55.5 38.4 47.0 -6.8 94
116670 PAYSON 8.55 5.43 52 na na na na 00
116970 PRAIRIE_CITY_2S 6.67 3.70 100 58.8 41.2 50.0 -4.1 100
117072 QUINCY_REGIONAL_AP 6.76 3.63 100 56.6 42.2 49.4 -6.0 100
117077 QUINCY_DAM_21 7.84 4.69 94 na na na na 00
117551 RUSHVILLE 8.83 5.80 97 57.4 41.0 49.2 -5.8 100
118204 ST_DAVID 9.87 6.92 100 na na na na 00
State: Illinois Climate Division: 4
From 10/01/2009 To 10/31/2009
Station Percent Percent
ID Precipitation Avail <--- Temperature ----> Avail
Number Name Obs Dev Data High Low Mean Dev Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110305 ATHENS_2_N 9.77 6.80 97 na na na na 00
110306 ATHENS_2SW 7.74 4.78 94 57.0 41.6 49.3 -5.8 94
110761 BLOOMINGTON_WATERWORKS 10.38 7.47 97 na na na na 00
110764 BLOOMINGTON_5W 10.32 7.40 100 55.5 40.9 48.2 -5.9 100
110868 BRADFORD_3SSE 6.07 3.17 100 na na na na 00
111083 BUFFALO 10.28 7.31 100 na na na na 00
111236 CAMP_GROVE_2_SW 5.86 2.95 100 na na na na 00
111475 CHENOA 9.93 7.05 100 56.8 42.3 49.5 -4.0 100
111627 CHILLICOTHE 6.30 3.40 84 na na na na 00
111743 CLINTON_1_SSW 10.48 7.50 94 na na na na 00
111836 CONGERVILLE_2_NW 8.21 5.31 100 58.3 40.5 49.4 -4.4 100
112193 DECATUR 10.09 7.09 100 59.5 42.4 51.0 -4.3 100
112854 EUREKA 8.34 5.45 97 na na na na 00
112993 FARMER_CITY 10.19 7.24 100 na na na na 00
113940 HAVANA_4_NNE 9.66 6.71 97 na na na na 00
115079 LINCOLN 10.94 7.97 100 57.5 41.4 49.5 -5.3 100
115272 MACKINAW_1N 7.53 4.62 97 na na na na 00
115413 MASON_CITY 8.57 5.62 100 57.0 41.1 49.1 -5.6 100
115712 MINONK 7.33 4.45 100 57.2 40.3 48.7 -4.7 100
115876 MORTON 8.92 6.01 100 na na na na 00
115927 MOUNT_PULASKI 9.25 6.26 100 na na na na 00
116200 NORMAL_4NE 10.18 7.28 100 56.8 40.1 48.4 -5.6 100
116703 PEORIA_AIRPORT_3SW 8.41 5.49 100 na na na na 00
116711 PEORIA_GTR_PEORIA_RGNL_A 7.89 4.97 100 56.3 42.4 49.4 -4.3 100
116760 PETERSBURG_3_SSW 6.60 3.64 100 na na na na 00
116765 PETERSBURG_2SW 8.73 5.77 42 na na na na 00
117004 PRINCEVILLE_2W 6.30 3.38 97 56.4 39.6 48.0 -5.3 97
117329 ROANOKE 7.44 4.55 100 na na na na 00
117590 SAYBROOK_2N 9.10 6.19 100 56.7 40.3 48.5 -5.5 100
118222 STANFORD_2S 9.84 6.91 100 na na na na 00
State: Illinois Climate Division: 5
From 10/01/2009 To 10/31/2009
Station Percent Percent
ID Precipitation Avail <--- Temperature ----> Avail
Number Name Obs Dev Data High Low Mean Dev Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110803 BOURBONNAIS_3NW 9.01 6.07 100 na na na na 00
111447 CHATSWORTH 8.14 5.25 100 na na na na 00
111655 CISCO 10.18 7.19 100 na na na na 00
112140 DANVILLE 7.75 4.84 100 58.7 42.7 50.7 -3.4 100
112145 DANVILLE_SEWAGE_PLANT 7.08 4.17 100 60.1 44.6 52.4 -1.8 100
112500 DWIGHT 7.33 4.42 90 56.1 40.1 48.1 -5.0 90
112923 FAIRBURY__WWTP 8.34 5.45 61 na na na na 00
113061 FISHER 8.95 6.02 100 58.0 40.5 49.3 -4.9 100
113774 HAMMOND 9.66 6.67 58 na na na na 00
114198 HOOPESTON_1_NE 7.08 4.19 100 58.1 42.9 50.5 -3.1 100
115646 MILFORD_5_NW 7.38 4.50 100 na na na na 00
116344 OGDEN 7.58 4.65 100 57.2 42.9 50.0 -4.4 100
116663 PAXTON_2_WSW 7.24 4.33 90 56.9 38.2 47.6 -6.3 84
116769 PHILO 7.79 4.83 100 na na na na 00
116910 PONTIAC 8.22 5.33 100 57.9 42.5 50.2 -3.1 100
117150 RANTOUL 8.40 5.48 100 59.7 41.9 50.8 -3.3 100
117952 SIDELL_5NW 7.35 4.41 100 58.9 40.6 49.8 -4.8 100
118194 ST_ANNE 7.76 4.83 97 na na na na 00
118353 STREATOR_3_SE 6.92 4.03 100 na na na na 00
118632 TOULON_2_SSE 6.30 3.38 100 na na na na 00
118740 URBANA 8.79 5.84 100 58.0 41.5 49.8 -4.8 100
118745 URBANA_S_AGRONOMY_FARM 8.69 5.74 100 58.4 44.5 51.5 -3.1 100
119021 WATSEKA_2_NW 7.69 4.79 94 57.5 40.2 48.8 -4.4 94
State: Illinois Climate Division: 6
From 10/01/2009 To 10/31/2009
Station Percent Percent
ID Precipitation Avail <--- Temperature ----> Avail
Number Name Obs Dev Data High Low Mean Dev Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110137 ALTON_MELVIN_PRICE_L&D 9.46 6.52 100 62.4 45.8 54.1 -2.8 100
110492 BEARDSTOWN 9.98 6.96 100 na na na na 00
111280 CARLINVILLE 10.26 7.41 97 58.4 41.3 49.8 -6.2 97
112679 EDWARDSVILLE_2_W 12.46 9.54 94 na na na na 00
113666 GREENFIELD 10.71 7.86 77 na na na na 00
114089 HIGHLAND 11.86 8.89 100 na na na na 00
114442 JACKSONVILLE_2E 10.14 7.20 87 60.6 41.0 50.8 -4.7 87
114447 JACKSONVILLE_2 11.64 8.71 100 58.9 41.8 50.3 -5.1 100
114489 JERSEYVILLE_2_SW 13.98 11.06 97 59.4 41.7 50.6 -5.7 97
114739 KINCAID 10.78 7.84 100 na na na na 00
114833 LAKE_SPRINGFIELD 9.25 6.31 100 na na na na 00
115113 LOAMI_3_SSW 11.30 8.41 55 na na na na 00
115841 MORRISONVILLE 10.30 7.39 100 60.2 42.5 51.3 -4.5 100
115917 MOUNT_OLIVE_1_E 13.63 10.72 100 na na na na 00
116185 NOKOMIS 9.30 6.37 81 na na na na 00
116738 PERRY_6_NW 7.86 4.81 84 58.7 41.7 50.2 -5.2 84
116837 PITTSFIELD_NO_2 7.01 4.00 81 58.0 40.6 49.3 -6.3 81
117318 RIVERTON_4NNE 13.31 10.34 52 na na na na 00
117896 SHERMAN_1ESE 11.12 8.16 97 na na na na 00
118179 SPRINGFIELD_CAPITAL_AP 11.28 8.33 100 59.5 43.3 51.4 -3.9 100
118186 SPRINGFIELD_#2 10.97 8.02 100 58.5 42.8 50.7 -4.6 100
118491 TAYLORVILLE_2SW 8.24 5.30 94 na na na na 00
118860 VIRDEN 9.30 6.42 42 na na na na 00
118870 VIRGINIA 10.23 7.26 100 na na na na 00
119241 WHITE_HALL_1_E 10.92 8.02 100 58.4 41.1 49.8 -6.0 100
119331 WINCHESTER 6.23 3.28 74 60.5 40.6 50.6 -5.0 77
State: Illinois Climate Division: 7
From 10/01/2009 To 10/31/2009
Station Percent Percent
ID Precipitation Avail <--- Temperature ----> Avail
Number Name Obs Dev Data High Low Mean Dev Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110500 BEECHER_CITY 9.72 6.71 100 na na na na 00
111329 CASEY 7.43 4.36 94 na na na na 00
111436 CHARLESTON 7.38 4.35 100 60.6 42.9 51.8 -3.8 100
111691 CLAREMONT_6N 8.73 5.62 100 na na na na 00
111700 CLAY_CITY_6_SSE 8.86 5.76 100 na na na na 00
112685 EFFINGHAM_SE 11.05 8.01 97 na na na na 00
112687 EFFINGHAM 10.99 7.96 100 60.9 41.9 51.4 -4.7 100
113106 FLORA 8.12 5.02 97 61.4 41.9 51.7 -5.1 97
113109 FLORA_5_NW 9.50 6.42 100 61.8 43.3 52.5 -4.1 90
114078 HIDALGO_3SW 8.96 5.89 100 62.0 43.4 52.7 -3.3 100
114317 HUTSONVILLE_POWER_PLANT 8.74 5.65 100 62.4 42.9 52.6 -3.1 100
114400 IUKA_12_SW 10.58 7.52 100 60.9 42.2 51.5 -5.3 100
114957 LAWRENCEVILLE 7.65 4.53 100 62.3 43.5 52.9 -3.5 100
115209 LOUISVILLE 7.16 4.08 87 na na na na 00
115219 LOVINGTON 9.78 6.79 100 na na na na 00
115430 MATTOON 7.67 4.65 100 na na na na 00
115950 MOWEAQUA_2S 9.10 6.12 100 na na na na 00
116025 NEOGA_4NW 7.59 4.58 100 61.6 41.0 51.3 -4.5 100
116134 NEWMAN_3W 8.39 5.41 97 na na na na 00
116157 NEWTON 8.40 5.32 100 61.1 42.7 51.9 -4.4 100
116446 OLNEY_2S 8.80 5.68 100 61.4 42.7 52.0 -4.7 100
116558 PALESTINE__2W 7.78 4.68 100 61.2 43.9 52.6 -3.4 100
116579 PANA_3_E 10.11 7.14 100 60.6 43.2 51.9 -3.9 97
116610 PARIS_WATERWORKS 6.03 3.03 100 58.9 41.9 50.4 -4.6 100
117126 RAMSEY 12.01 9.03 100 60.7 42.0 51.3 -4.7 100
117345 ROBINSON 8.13 5.03 100 60.6 41.7 51.2 -4.9 100
117603 STE_MARIE 8.37 5.27 58 na na na na 00
117636 SALEM 9.91 6.84 100 61.0 43.1 52.0 -4.7 100
117876 SHELBYVILLE_DAM 7.97 4.98 97 59.8 42.8 51.3 -4.4 97
118389 SULLIVAN_3_S 9.04 6.04 100 58.9 41.7 50.3 -5.1 100
118684 TUSCOLA 7.45 4.46 100 59.0 42.3 50.7 -4.4 100
118781 VANDALIA 8.21 5.20 97 60.1 42.1 51.1 -5.2 97
119354 WINDSOR 3.84 0.84 55 na na na na 00
State: Illinois Climate Division: 8
From 10/01/2009 To 10/31/2009
Station Percent Percent
ID Precipitation Avail <--- Temperature ----> Avail
Number Name Obs Dev Data High Low Mean Dev Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110050 ALBERS_1_W 9.46 6.46 100 na na na na 00
110510 BELLEVILLE_SIU_RESEARCH 7.79 4.80 87 64.4 44.3 54.3 -2.8 87
111166 CAIRO_3_N 9.93 6.52 97 64.8 45.9 55.4 -3.4 97
111265 CARBONDALE_SEWAGE_PLANT 10.01 6.86 100 63.9 43.5 53.7 -4.0 100
111290 CARLYLE_RESERVOIR 8.83 5.81 100 60.6 42.5 51.6 -5.3 100
111386 CENTRALIA 10.80 7.75 94 na na na na 00
111491 CHESTER 10.60 7.49 87 na na na na 00
113580 GRAND_CHAIN_DAM_53 10.31 6.96 94 63.5 46.9 55.2 -3.5 94
114629 KASKASKIA_RIV_NAV_LOCK 11.17 8.08 100 63.1 43.5 53.3 -4.0 100
115983 MURPHYSBORO_2_SW 11.25 8.10 90 na na na na 00
116011 NASHVILLE_4_NE 11.86 8.82 100 61.0 43.3 52.1 -4.9 100
116072 NEW_ATHENS 10.25 7.23 97 na na na na 00
116973 PRAIRIE_DUROCHER 10.68 7.59 61 na na na na 00
117157 RED_BUD_5_SE 11.84 8.79 45 na na na na 00
118248 STEELEVILLE 8.45 5.37 26 na na na na 00
119002 WATERLOO 12.19 9.15 100 61.0 41.3 51.2 -6.0 97
State: Illinois Climate Division: 9
From 10/01/2009 To 10/31/2009
Station Percent Percent
ID Precipitation Avail <--- Temperature ----> Avail
Number Name Obs Dev Data High Low Mean Dev Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110993 BROOKPORT_DAM_52 9.39 6.06 90 63.6 45.8 54.7 -4.2 90
112931 FAIRFIELD_RADIO_WFIW 8.22 5.16 100 61.6 43.4 52.5 -4.6 100
113612 GRAYVILLE 8.65 5.62 100 63.4 44.0 53.7 -3.6 100
115943 MT_VERNON_3_NE 9.63 6.57 97 60.9 46.7 53.8 -3.2 97
116874 PLUMFIELD 9.54 6.45 45 na na na na 00
118020 SMITHLAND_LOCK_&_DAM 10.04 6.76 100 62.5 45.0 53.8 -5.0 100
118932 WALTONVILLE 9.57 6.51 42 na na na na 00
Normals used for the deviations are from a grid and should only be considered
as an approximation for a particular station