Overview
November featured above normal precipitation of 4-6 inches, and above normal temperatures across central and southeast Illinois. After a drier than normal October, a wetter pattern developed after Nov 4th. The 4-7 inches of precipitation from Nov 5-30th ended the drought over central and southeast IL. Peoria had 6.17 inches of precipitation during this month making it their 3rd wettest November since records began in 1883.
The most significant event of the month occurred on Saturday, November 21, when low pressure tracked across southern Illinois, and into Indiana. This system initially spread rain across central and southeast Illinois, but as colder air filtered in from the north, a change over to snow occurred from north to south, overnight and during the morning. Periods of moderate to heavy snow were observed until the snow tapered off from west to east during the afternoon. Blustery northerly winds developed causing some blowing and drifting, mainly north of I-74, where colder temperatures and higher snow amounts were observed. With soil temperatures in the upper 40s to lower 50s, the snow initially melted in many areas, however snowfall rates were high enough to overcome the melting and allow for accumulation to occur, mainly north of a Jacksonville to Paris line. The highest totals in central Illinois were reported north of a Galesburg to Roanoke line, where 5 to 10 inch totals were received. While it is not unusual to see the first snowfall in late November, such high totals were quite unusual for a first snow event of the season. Daily snowfall records were set at many sites, including official climate stations at Springfield (0.5"), Lincoln (1.0"), and Peoria (4.6").
Temperatures in November were generally 3-6 degrees above normal for the monthly average. Peoria's average monthly temperature of 47.9 degrees was tied for the 4th warmest November on record. Springfield's average monthly temperature of 48.4F was the 7th warmest November on record.
Precipitation
Temperatures
Climate Data
The table below summarizes November rainfall, snowfall, and temperature, and departure from normal for selected cities across central and southeast Illinois. Data from Peoria and Springfield are from ASOS sites, while others are from NWS Cooperative Observers.
Site |
Rainfall |
Departure from Normal | Snowfall | Departure from Normal | Average Temperature |
Departure from Normal |
Charleston |
4.51" | +0.54 | 0.2" | -0.5" | 49.3 | +4.9 |
Danville |
4.06" |
+0.23" | 2.0" | +1.8" | 47.7 | +4.3 |
Decatur |
4.42" |
+0.71" | N/A | N/A | 47.3 | +3.5 |
Effingham |
6.83" |
+2.77" | Trace | +0.0" | 47.5 | N/A |
Flora |
6.81" | -2.21" | N/A | N/A | 48.0 | +3.2 |
Galesburg |
5.52" |
+2.65" | 5.0" | +4.2" | 43.2 | +4.1 |
Jacksonville |
4.62" | +1.00" | 0.1" | -0.4" | 47.9 | +5.4 |
Lincoln |
4.42" |
+2.26" | 1.0" | +0.4" | 45.8 | +3.7 |
Mattoon |
6.11" | +2.29" | 0.0" | -0.4" |
N/A | N/A |
Morton |
6.46" | +3.20" | 3.6" | +2.9" | N/A | N/A |
Normal |
5.15" |
+1.88" | 3.5" | +3.2" | 45.2 | +4.7 |
Olney |
5.88" | +1.40 | 0.0" | -0.3" | 48.5 | +4.0 |
Paris |
5.63" | +1.85" | 0.1" | -0.3" | 46.0 | +3.2 |
Peoria |
6.17" |
+3.04" | 4.6" | +3.5" | 47.9 | +6.3 |
Rushville |
5.71" | +2.71" | 1.0" | +0.7" | 45.9 | +3.7 |
Springfield |
4.01" |
+0.80" | 0.5" | -0.1" | 48.4 | +5.3 |
Tuscola |
4.37" | +0.52" | 2.0" | +1.3" | 46.1 | +4.4 |
Urbana |
5.10" |
+1.42" | 1.8" | +0.9" | 45.9 | +4.6 |
Links below are the monthly climate summaries for area cities. Only the summaries for Peoria, Springfield and Lincoln are considered "official", meaning they are the station of record for their respective locations. The other summaries are "supplemental", meaning another location in the area is the official climate station for that city.
Climate data for other area cities is available at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=ilx