(CHAMPAIGN) The Illinois State Water Survey at the University of Illinois at Urban-Champaign has released its weather statistics for January. The preliminary statewide average temperature last month was 23.5 degrees, 3.2 degrees below the 1991 to 2020 average, tying for the 41st coldest January on record dating back to 1895. The preliminary statewide average total precipitation for January was 1.19 inches, just over an inch and a tenth (1.12) below the 1991 to 2020 average, tying it for the 28th driest January on record statewide. The weather numbers for last month also included the 8 to 14 inches of snow that fell in our downstate area, between Interstates 70 to the north down to Interstate 64 to the south, most of which is starting to melt. For a look at all the statistics, go online to the isws.illinois.edu website.
