May was warm and wet in Illinois

Champaign, Ill. -Despite cool weather at times, May was 2.3 degrees above average on temperature and one inch above average on rainfall, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

The statewide average rainfall was 5.6 inches, which was one inch above average and the 22nd wettest May on record. Some of the heaviest amounts were seen in northwest Illinois and just southeast of St. Louis.

The highest reported monthly rainfall total was 9.41 inches at Red Bud (Randolph County). The next highest total was 8.77 inches at Mt. Carroll.

Most of Illinois was near average to above average in rainfall for May. There was a stretch of Illinois to the east of Interstate 57 from near Champaign southward with below-average rainfall.