Illinois climate experts say the state had a slightly cooler and drier January this year. But Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel says this January's 25.4-degree average temperature wasn't nearly as cold as last January's 19.3-degree average. This January ranked the 53rd coldest on record. January 2014 was the 16th coldest on record.
Statewide average precipitation last month was 1.53 inches, about a half-inch below average. The U.S. Drought Monitor has listed northern and western Illinois as abnormally dry because of dry weather in November, December and January.
Angel says the Illinois State Water Survey is watching the situation but it's "not a great concern yet because of the low demand for water in winter."
Illinois has slightly cooler, drier January than average
