NCDC: Climate of 2002 - December

NCDC / Clim. Monitoring / Climate-2002 / Dec / U.S. Regional Drought / Search / Help

Climate of 2002 - December
Illinois Drought

National Climatic Data Center, 14 January 2003

Unusually dry conditions have occurred, on a statewide basis, for much of the last six months.

As noted by the Illinois State Climatologist (Dr. Jim Angel) in a January 7 Soil Moisture Summary,

While precipitation was somewhat below-average for December, especially in the north, soil moisture was near average in the top two layers (0-6 and 6-20 inches). However, soil moisture was drier than normal in the lower layers, reflecting a dry fall.
December marked the seventh consecutive month with near to drier-than-average upper layer soil moisture averaged across the state.

Statewide Precipitation Ranks
for Illinois , 2002
Period	Rank
Dec	53^rd wettest ( 56^th driest)
Nov-Dec	21^st driest
Oct-Dec	34^th driest
Sep-Dec	21^st driest
Aug-Dec	34^th driest
Jul-Dec	24^th driest
Jun-Dec	28^th driest
May-Dec	49^th driest
Apr-Dec	45^th wettest ( 64^th driest)
Mar-Dec	39^th wettest ( 69^th driest)
Feb-Dec	41^st wettest ( 68^th driest)
Jan-Dec	40^th wettest ( 69^th driest)

Illinois statewide precipitation departures, January 1998 - present

larger image
Illinois statewide Palmer Z Index, January 1998 - present

larger image

Illinois statewide precipitation, December 1895-2002

larger image

Illinois statewide Palmer Hydrological Drought Index, January 1900 - December 2002

larger image

NCDC / Clim. Monitoring / Climate-2002 / Dec / U.S. Regional Drought / Search / Help

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2002/dec/st011dv00pcp200212.html
Downloaded Sunday, 06-Jul-2008 18:47:08 EDT
Last Updated Friday, 22-Jul-2005 12:45:48 EDT by Richard.Heim@noaa.gov
Please see the NCDC Contact Page if you have questions or comments.