August Was Record Month For Rainfall In Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois saw almost twice the average rainfall last month, making it the wettest August on record.

Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel said Friday that the statewide average rainfall for August was 6.89 inches. That's 3.30 inches above normal.

The previous record was in August 1977, when Illinois saw an average rainfall of 6.86 inches.

Sterling, located in northwestern Illinois, saw the highest rainfall in August, with 14.01 inches. The two-month total for July and August was highest in the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove, which recorded 22.93 inches of rain.

Angel says the statewide average temperature also was above normal in August, at 75.9 degrees.

It tied with 1943 as the 15th warmest August on record.

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